International students are at heightened risk of developing psychological distress, yet little research has been conducted on  their mental health or support needs. This quantitative study focused on undergraduate students at two mid-sized universities in Manitoba, Canada. Online and paper surveys were completed by 932 participants, of whom 21% identified as international students. This paper, descriptive in nature, outlines the sociodemographic profiles, current mental health status, psychological characteristics, and coping strategies of international students compared to domestic students in each institution. Data show that international students are more likely to report excellent mental health, score higher on the mental health scale, and report higher life satisfaction, higher self-esteem, and more positive body image than domestic respondents. However, they are less likely to talk about their hardships. Providing culturally-adapted supports that take into consideration ethnolinguistic differences, religious practice, and mental health literacy will better meet the needs of international students on campus.

Perceived sense of belonging and positive social climate on campus are crucial elements for post-secondary students, as they contribute to academic achievement, positive mental health, and help-seeking. Few studies have explored post-secondary students’ sense of belonging and perceptions of social climate in an official language minority campus, which attract Canadian-born francophones, anglophones who pursue higher education in their second language, and francophone international students. With declining student mental health and greater ethnolinguistic diversity of post-secondary students on Canadian campuses, this important study aims to explore francophone students’ perceived sense of belonging and social climate on campus. In total, 35 students from different ethnolinguistic backgrounds took part in focus groups or individual interviews. Domestic students with French as their first language more often reported positive social climate on campus and a sense of belonging, in contrast to international students and students with French as a second language. A common obstacle to connecting with others was language insecurity in one of the official languages, as both are currently used on campus. Universities hosting students of multiple linguistic diversities should provide courses and campus events to stimulate intercultural knowledge and dialogue.

Background Investigation of cannabis use trends among emerging adults (EA, aged between 18 and 24 years) following 2018 Canadian Recreational Cannabis Legislation (RCL) is critical. EAs report the heaviest cannabis use in Canada and are particularly vulnerable to the onset of problematic substance use. Objectives To describe and compare post-RCL use of cannabis and other state-altering substances, as well as the prevalence of impaired driving, among EA postsecondary students in both rural and urban settings, studying on one of five campuses in either Manitoba, Ontario, or Quebec. Methods For this quantitative cross-sectional study, a self-report survey was administered to 1496 EA postsecondary students in the months following RCL (2018–2019). Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the influence of provincial and urban/rural living contexts on recreational cannabis use, other state-altering substance use and impaired driving behaviours, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Results Statistically significant differences were observed between cohorts in almost all measures. Quebec students were more likely to have consumed cannabis during their lifetime (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI [1.05, 1.90]) than all other cohorts. Rural cohorts all had greater odds of reporting consumption of cannabis during the previous year compared to urban cohorts (AOR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.04, 1.67]). However, the relation between cannabis use in the last month and operating a motor vehicle after using cannabis (lifetime and past month) and living context differed between subjects in Quebec and those in the two other provinces. Quebec’s students having lived mostly in urban contexts had greater odds of using cannabis in the past month and operating a motor vehicle after using cannabis (lifetime and past month) than those in rural contexts; the opposite was observed in Manitoba and Ontario. Differing interprovincial prohibitive/permissive legislation and licit cannabis infrastructure appeared to have little impact on post-RCL substance use. Conclusions In Manitoba and in Ontario, rural/urban living context seems to better predict substance use and related road-safety practices, suggesting these trends supersede permissive/prohibitive provincial legislation and licit cannabis-related infrastructures. Further investigation into sociodemographic factors influencing state-altering substance use and impaired driving, and maintaining tailored cannabis misuse prevention campaigns, is warranted on Canadian campuses.

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The investigation of evolving cannabis use trends among emerging adults in the wake of 2018 Canadian Recreational Cannabis Legislation (RCL) is vital, as this demographic is particularly vulnerable to the development of problematic cannabis use, among other risk-taking behaviours. This study is one of the first to present post-RCL data, offering valuable insight into post-RCL cannabis use among Canadian postsecondary students. Objectives: This article compares self-reported pre- and post-RCL cannabis use, and anticipated use post-RCL, by students in a university in Manitoba, Canada. Methods: A self-report survey was administered during class time to 3 distinct student cohorts: pre-RCL, 1 month post-RCL, and 4 months post-RCL. In total, 951 students between 18 and 24 years of age participated. Sociodemographic and cannabis use variables were analyzed, and proportions are described. Results: RCL was found to have little effect on cannabis use among postsecondary students. 2019 data reflects slightly lower-than-2012 cannabis use prevalence, after having peaked shortly after RCL enactment in late-2018. Prevalence of cannabis use increased slightly only among former users. Few use cannabis for medical purposes only. Conclusions: This study corroborates previous international and trans-jurisdictional findings, suggesting RCL may have little to no effect on actual cannabis use among postsecondary students. These findings may reflect general ineffectiveness of prohibitive cannabis legislation among emerging adults. They also suggest initiatives surrounding RCL awareness undertaken by Canadian healthcare and government bodies may have been effective in mitigating post-RCL use. Continued promotion of risks associated with cannabis use is needed on Canadian campuses. L’enquête sur l’évolution des tendances de la consommation de cannabis chez les adultes émergents à la suite de la législation canadienne sur le cannabis récréatif (LCR) de 2018 est vitale, car ce groupe démographique est particulièrement vulnérable au développement d’une consommation problématique de cannabis, entre autres comportements à risque. Cette étude est l’une des premières à présenter des données post-LCR, offrant un aperçu précieux de la consommation de cannabis post-LCR chez les étudiants canadiens de niveau post-secondaire. Objectifs: Cet article compare la consommation de cannabis auto-déclarée avant et après la LCR et la consommation anticipée après la LCR par des étudiants d’une université du Manitoba, au Canada. Méthodes: Une enquête d’auto-évaluation a été administrée pendant les heures de classe à trois cohortes d’élèves distinctes: avant la LCR, un mois après la LCR et quatre mois après la LCR. Au total, 951 élèves âgés de 18 à 24 ans y ont participé. Les variables sociodémographiques et de consommation de cannabis ont été analysées et les proportions sont décrites. Résultats: La LCR a peu d’effet sur la consommation de cannabis chez les étudiants de niveau post-secondaire. Les données de 2019 reflètent une prévalence de la consommation de cannabis légèrement inférieure à celle de 2012, après avoir atteint un sommet peu de temps après la promulgation de la LCR à la fin de 2018. La prévalence de la consommation de cannabis n’a légèrement augmenté que chez les anciens utilisateurs. Rares sont ceux qui utilisent le cannabis à des fins médicales uniquement. Conclusions: Cette étude corrobore les résultats internationaux et trans-juridictionnels antérieurs, suggérant que la LCR pourrait avoir peu ou pas d’effet sur la consommation réelle de cannabis chez les étudiants de niveau postsecondaire. Ces résultats peuvent refléter l’inefficacité générale de la législation prohibitive sur le cannabis chez les adultes émergents. Ils suggèrent également que les initiatives entourant la sensibilisation à la LCR entreprises par les organismes de santé et gouvernementaux canadiens auraient pu être efficaces pour atténuer l’utilisation post-LCR. La promotion continue des risques associés à la consommation de cannabis est nécessaire sur les campus canadiens.