Chapter title: Evidence-based physical activity programming for post-secondary student mental health: Considerations for research and practice

Author: Catherine M. Sabiston, Ph.D.

Affiliation: University of Toronto, Canada

Author: Melissa deJonge, Ph.D. student

Affiliation: University of Toronto, Canada

Author Biographies:

Dr. Catherine Sabiston is a professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto and the Director of the Mental Health and Physical Activity Research Centre. She is also a Canada Research Chair in physical activity and mental health and has been awarded numerous career distinctions.

Dr. Sabiston has over 270 peer-reviewed publications, has delivered nearly 500 presentations, and has received more than $20 million dollars in funding for her research, which is broadly focused on the psychosocial determinants and outcomes of physical activity. Her research has been extensively featured in the media, has been used to inform evidence-based practice, and has advanced theory and methods in sport and exercise psychology.

Melissa deJonge is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education and Mental Health at the University of Toronto and Physical Activity Research Centre. Melissa completed her BSc (Honours) in Psychology at Queen’s University and her MSc in Exercise Sciences at the University of Toronto. Her program of research is focused on developing pragmatic, evidence-based strategies for using on-campus physical activity programs to support post-secondary student mental health. Her research interests are grounded in a health promotion approach to supporting mental health and well-being for young adults. Her research works to inform mental health promotion and prevention programming and enhance interprofessional collaboration to optimize the translation of evidence-based physical activity programs into real-world contexts