Dr. Elizabeth Cawley has been appointed as the Regional Coordinator and was introduced by the AAU and Medavie representatives today at “From Survive to Thrive,” a regional student mental conference hosted by Mount Allison University.

Medavie’s investment to create the Regional Coordinator position, which is also supported by the region’s 16 universities and six community colleges, will increase capacity for further collaboration on challenges related to student mental health. Dr. Cawley serves the region’s PSE institutions from Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL.

“For the past five years, Medavie Health Foundation has been a highly supportive partner helping our universities and community colleges improve student mental health services,” said Dr. Alaa Abd-El Aziz, President, University of Prince Edward Island and Chair, AAU.

He added that, “Meeting student mental health needs is one of the most pressing issues on our campuses. With Medavie’s generous support, the AAU is fortunate to have attracted someone of Dr. Cawley’s background and experience to help our institutions meet student needs as efficiently and effectively as possible.”

Dr. Peter Cornish, Director, Associate Professor, and Director of Memorial Counselling and Wellness Centre, Memorial University and Co-Chair, AAU student mental health committee, summarized the value of the newly created position to universities and colleges: “Through the synergy of our Atlantic-wide collaboration, we are poised to lead the country with innovative, highly engaging wellness programming. This aligns very well with the collective academic mission to prepare the next generation to thrive and lead with passion, purpose and an ethic of care.”