Update on SLC’s Integrated Mental Health Strategy (IMHS)

An update on the advancement of SLC's Integrated Mental Health Strategy (IMHS), submitted by the Integrated Mental Health Task Force during Mental Health Week, May 1-7, 2023, where Canadian communities, schools, and workplaces rally to celebrate, protect, and promote mental health.

The IMHS was identified as a strategic initiative in the 2022 Business Plan, with an ongoing multi-year commitment, and is an important way SLC is demonstrating its commitment to the well-being of everyone in the community, students, and employees alike. The objective of the strategy is to create empowered, resilient, and healthy campus communities promoting positive mental health and well-being, supporting a culture of connectedness, safety and belonging, and enabling students and employees to flourish and succeed.

The Integrated Mental Health Task Force was struck to lead this important work, and we are grateful for the leadership and participation of all who have expressed interest in advancing this work.

The Task Force has brought to light issues we all know are among our greatest challenges as a society at large, and within our SLC community – the pervasive mental health crisis experienced by ever-increasing numbers of our students, and our employees. Indeed, the task force identified that student mental health service needs have increased by over 100% in the last few years, and tragically, SLC lives have been lost to mental health and addiction struggles. 

These incidents underscore the need for us to increase our efforts to reach and support all individuals experiencing mental health issues. The IMHS aims to address these problems and reflects our commitment to improve the well-being of every member of our SLC community.

Over 290 members of the SLC community have participated in numerous committee and team sessions, as well as Staff and Student Forums to provide feedback on the Work Plan. Another 44 SLC community members provided feedback and engagement through survey participation.  Further, as part of the SLC Community engagement process, 59 staff and students submitted expressions of interest in advancing this important work. Under the five identified key pillars of focus, ten Sub-Groups have been struck to validate, prioritize, and implement the IMHS Work Plan. Over 90 key objectives have been identified under the IMHS multi-year Work Plan, within the 10 Sub-Groups.

Some key successes already achieved since Work Plan implementation commenced in March, include:

• All faculty onboarding will now include as part of their education bundle orientation and training supporting academic accommodation planning and supporting students in distress. The module is in development, with an anticipated rollout for Fall 2023.
• Participation in core UDL Training through CAST has been completed to facilitate content content development and approach to UDL Strategic Initiative pilot implementation.
• SOCH Mental Health deliverables have been achieved, including:
  • Staff intercultural training
  • Development of multi-media resources, video and print, English and Punjabi promoting mental health resources and help-seeking behaviours for international students
  • Development of short films supporting student safety, in English and Punjabi, on relevant topics of mental well-being and safety (e.g., Human Trafficking)
  • International Student Workshop on human trafficking and safety
• Videos and Reels will be integrated using a multi-model approach through social media, SLC wellness and accessibility page, international supports, and through programs with high uptake of international students. These deliverables support Student Wellness & Accessibility in more effectively supporting our international students’ overall well-being and a positive and successful academic experience utilizing culturally and linguistically relevant resources.
• At Spring/Summer Orientation in May, 147 new international students registered for keep.meSAFE app that provides 24/7 access to resources that support well-being, including counsellors that speak their language and understand their culture. 

The IMHS is a multi-year commitment to create empowered, resilient, and healthy campus communities promoting positive mental health and well-being, supporting a culture of connectedness, safety, and belonging, and enabling students and employees to flourish and succeed. The IMHS was identified as a strategic initiative in the 2022 SLC Business Plan.