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Submitted by IMHS taskforce co-leads Ashleigh Fortune, Caryn Langstaff, and Mary Gauthier
Earlier this month, we shared September start-up resources from the Integrated Mental Health Strategy (IMHS) taskforce. The taskforce is developing a systemic and holistic framework for mental health to support the entire SLC community – both students and employees. We will share updates throughout the year, to support college-wide knowledge of the practices and services in mental health available.
Here are recent updates from the IMHS subcommittees:
Student Mental Health and Counselling Services:
- Mental Health support in residences has been enhanced with ongoing tri-campus Counsellors-in-Residence. Brandi Spruit has accepted the full-time position supporting Cornwall and Brockville residence students; and Tania Nicholls will be providing in-Residence support in Kingston. The Residence Counsellors are working alongside our new residence provider on increasing collaborative opportunities.
- Student Wellness has launched a support group for students in Paramedic, BScN, PN, and PSW programs. The group offers a counsellor-led confidential debrief, often associated with challenging clinical contexts experienced at clinical placements. One Placement Coordinator has called the initiative “ahead of its time,” saying it is a practice that has only just started in hospitals.
Mindfulness on Campus:
The IMHS and Student Association recently supported a Project Management students’ capstone project aimed to improve mental health and well-being through mindfulness on campus. Students Daniel Solorio Cruz, Manglesh Saurabh, Drishti Tyagi, Sahil Singh, and Javni coordinated the procurement of equipment to expand and diversify personal reflection in the Kingston campus Prayer and Reflection Centre. Updates to the space included meditation cushions, storage units, and chairs. The group also launched an ongoing registration-based Mindfulness Club, and promoted mindfulness spaces and club membership throughout campus.
Accessibility:
- This fall, a cross-disciplinary faculty-led group is working to develop an integrated strategy on Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Sasha Murray (Nursing), Polina Buchan (Business), Christina Chrysler (Visual & Creative Arts), and Carolyn Reed (Interdisciplinary Studies & Pathways) are representing their academic schools, engaging in strategic discussions for UDL development.
More than 85 additional tactics continue to progress across 10 subgroups of IMHS – stay tuned for continued updates throughout the year ahead! Let us know if you want to get involved – mentalhealthtogether@sl.on.ca.
