KPU’s Mental Health Fair shares community services with students to support mental well-being
Students can visit the Surrey Conference Centre to learn about resources at university, take part in activities, and meet new people

Members from the KSA's Peer Support team as well as KPU’s Peer Wellness, counselling, and accessibility services will share their resources with students at the fair. (Submitted)

Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Mental Health Fair is returning on Jan. 21 to the Surrey Conference Centre in the Cedar building with activities and resources to support mental well-being.
Hosted by the Student Health Promotion department from noon to 2:00 pm, the fair will offer students the opportunity to discover available resources and connect with the university community.
“We understand that university life is really stressful, especially as you’re starting a new semester and new classes in January. We want to give students an opportunity to start on the right foot,” says Megan Matthews, manager of Student Health Promotion at KPU.
“What we aim to do is give students tools, resources, and opportunities for connection so that they can support their mental health, and then ultimately, that’s going to help them succeed academically at school.”
Members from the KSA Peer Support team as well as KPU’s Peer Wellness, counselling, and accessibility services will share more about their services with students at the fair.
The Fraser Health toxic drug response team will also give a talk about the toxic drugs crisis in B.C. and provide naloxone training to students.
Some of the activities attendees at the fair can participate in include colouring, art, and playing FIFA video games, hosted by the KPU Sport and Recreation department. Pizza will be offered for lunch.
The fair has been taking place for the last two years and is popular and successful among students, Matthews says, adding that students might not be aware of all the support and services available to them and can learn about them at the event.
“It’s a stressful time for students, and we want to just share as much information to students as possible about the resources that can support them because if you’re having positive mental health, that will, in turn, help you succeed academically as a student,” Matthews says.
“I hope that they will learn how to manage stress better and perhaps how to navigate a better school life balance. So learning about opportunities to get involved on campus rather than just being in class.”
She adds the event is also a great opportunity to make connections and hopes students will discover services they have never used or heard of before.
For more information about the event, visit KPU Peer Wellness on Instagram @kpupeerwellness.