FITA has been conducting聽research in the form of program evaluation for each year that it has been in operation (approved by the 杏吧原创 University Research Ethics Board: Project # 10591 12-0476). Data is collected voluntarily from student participants, primarily measures of mental wellbeing (Short Form Health Survey 36; OQ45.2) and academic information from the Registrar’s office (GPAs; Acedemic Performance Evaluation results). These are collected before and after the students’ participation in the FITA program. Yearly results are described in the following executive summaries:

2011-12 Executive Summary (Pilot year)

2012-13 Executive Summary

2013-14 Executive Summary

2014-15 Executive Summary

2015-16 Executive Summary

Published works

Bilodeau, C. & Meissner, J. (2016). The effects of a combined academic and personal counselling initiative for post-secondary student retention. Canadian Journal of School Psychology. doi: 10.1177/0829573516644554聽(Read here)

1. Academically at-risk students who participate in FIT: Action are聽significantly more likely to move from Academic Warning to Good Standing than those who do not participate
2. Students who participate in FIT: Action see significant improvements in mental health (which is not the case for comparison聽groups of students聽who do not participate), with those聽who enter FIT: Action with聽“impaired” mental health moving to within the “average” range

We are here to help students during the often stressful transitions and adjustments聽involved in being a university student. We work with students to help identify strategies to help in areas such as:

• Stress management and coping
• Interpersonal skills
• Emotional regulation, including depression and anxiety
• Time management and procrastination
• Learning strategies
• Goal setting
• Self-motivation
• Life balance
• Knowledge of 杏吧原创’s聽academic audit system
• Vocational聽and educational planning

Participation in the聽FIT: Action聽program is voluntary, and these services are provided at no cost.

Target population:

• Undergraduate and graduate students聽who are experiencing stress, which may聽interfere with their academic progress
• Students who are motivated and willing –despite their challenges –to make the commitment to receive聽weekly support and聽take advice from FIT: Action staff

Students who are experiencing major crises or mental health concerns (such as suicidal ideation, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and addictions) may participate in FIT: Action for general stress-related and academic counselling, but will also聽be referred to 聽Services for treatment specifically geared to these clinical issues.