P106: Student Mental Health

2. POLICY

The College is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, equity based and compassionate culture that is supported by a comprehensive range of mental health and well-being services and community partnerships to support students.

2.1. Scope

This policy applies to all Fanshawe College community members including students, employees, and governors.

2.2. Principles

2.2.1. The College will provide a range of student-centred programs and services to address student mental health needs.

2.2.2. The fair treatment and full participation of all students is supported especially those who have been traditionally underrepresented.

2.3. Administration

2.3.1. The Dean of Students will ensure the provision of programs for student mental health and wellbeing.

2.3.2. Associated addenda to this policy may be amended by authority of the Policy Sponsor with advice from the Academic Leadership Team.

3. REFERENCES

College Policies

• A101: Accommodation for Applicants and Students with Disabilities

Legislation

• Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024

4. ADDENDA

• Guideline A: PRINCIPLES FOR STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH
• Standard 1: STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS & SERVICES

Guideline A: PRINCIPLES FOR STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH

Issued by: Vice-President, Student Services

Effective: 2025-01-28

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this guideline is to elaborate on the College's commitment to student mental health supports.

2. PRINCIPLES

2.1. Student Mental Health Programs, Services and Supports

The College is committed to providing a range of student-centred programs and services to address student mental health needs. These programs and supports include pro-active measures to raise awareness of mental health issues, encourage constructive help seeking, reduce stigma, and foster and build capacity around mental health flourishing and the social determinants of mental and emotional well-being. The College is also committed to responding to student health accessibility needs, mental illness and mental health through interventions, treatment and the facilitation of access to appropriate response services reflective of student mental health needs, see Standard 1.

2.2. Student-Centered Approach

The needs, barriers and solutions regarding mental health and well-being are identified through student engagement, input from students and employees to inform decision-making and service delivery.

2.3. Equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is a strategic priority for the college. The fair treatment and full participation of all students is supported, especially those who have been traditionally underrepresented. The College's EDI Framework identifies themes and priorities for EDI work at the College, hopes to inspire conversations about the future of EDI work, and presents a vision for belonging at Fanshawe.

2.4. Confidentiality

Students' privacy and confidentiality in accessing mental health and medical services is upheld in all instances unless otherwise legislatively indicated.

2.5. Culturally Responsive Services

Mental health services are culturally responsive in recognition of the diversity of students' backgrounds and experiences.

2.6. Holistic approach

Well-being is achieved by considering the physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of students.

2.7. Collaboration and Partnerships

Internal and community partnerships are established to respond to the complex factors that affect student mental health and well-being.

2.8. Prevention and Early Intervention

Early help seeking, mental health awareness and stigma reduction are encouraged to reduce or prevent the escalation of mental health concerns.

2.9. Reduce Undue Stress

Consistent student-centered policies and procedures that reduce additional stress and barriers while also upholding academic standards and expectations are endorsed.

2.10. Culture of care

The college is an environment where all students feel engaged, included, valued, and supported in their personal and academic success.

2.11. Systems and environmental approach

Student mental health is recognized as being inextricably connected to broader economic, social, spiritual, cultural, environmental and policy factors.

2.12. Knowledge Informed

The services provided are informed by lived experiences, evidence based and practice-based knowledge.

3. PRIVACY AND REPORTING

3.1. Student Privacy

The College shall ensure the privacy and confidentiality of students accessing mental health services in accordance with the C304: Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy and all other statutory and regulatory privacy obligations.

3.2. Annual Reports

The Dean of Students' Office on behalf of the College will provide an annual report to the College's Board of Governors, as required by Section 19 of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act (MTCU Act) that includes the implementation and effectiveness of its student mental health policy in the preceding year. The annual report will include service usage, outreach and engagement data.

Standard 1: STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS & SERVICES

Issued by: Vice-President, Student Services

Effective: 2025-01-28

College Supports & Services

Counselling & Accessibility Services
Phone: 519-452-4282
Email: counselling@fanshawec.ca
Counselling Services | Fanshawe College

Indigenous Student Services Counselling
Phone: 519-452-4430 x 14619
The Institute of Indigenous Learning | Fanshawe College

Accessibility Services
Phone: 519-452-4282
Email: accessibility@fanshawec.ca
How to Register with Accessibility Services | Fanshawe College

Mental Health Services for Fanshawe College Students:
WeSpeakStudent (International and Domestic Students)

Campus Security Services
Phone: 519-452-4400 (non-emergency)
519-452-4242 (emergency)
Email: security@fanshawec.ca
Campus Security Services | Fanshawe College

Sexual Assault and Sexualized Violence Support
Email: svsupport@fanshawec.ca
Sexual Violence and Support | Fanshawe College

Community Supports & Services

Post-Secondary Mental Health Information:
Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health

Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or text 988

Canadian Mental Health Association - Crisis Supports
In Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford and London
Call Reachout 24/7 1-866-933-2023
Text 519-433-2023

Community Resources and Helplines
Canadian Mental Health Association
1-855-855-CMHA (2642)

London
200 Queens Ave, Suite 260, London ON, N6A 1J3
Phone: 519-673-3242 x 1222

Anova – Gender Based and Sexual Violence Support
Call 24/7 519-642-3000
Provides safe places, shelter, support, counselling, and resources for abused women, their children, and all oppressed individuals to find a new start.
Anova, London Ontario

Southwestern Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre
Provides high quality, wholistic, health and wellness services throughout Southwestern Ontario.
Call 1-877-454-0753
info@soahac.on.ca
Southwestern Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Network

Canadian Mental Health Association
Non-profit community mental health agency which provides services to adults with serious mental illness.
519-433-2023 | reachout247.ca
info@cmhatv.ca

Atlohsa Family Violence Services
519-438-0068
519-432-0122
http://www.atlohsa.com/index.html

Connex Ontario
Information about gambling, drugs, alcohol, or mental health services.
1-866-531-2600 | connexontario.ca

Crisis Services Canada
Text support available 4pm-12am ET by texting 45645
crisisservicescanada.ca

Good2Talk
Confidential helpline for post-secondary students
1-866-925-5454 | good2talk.ca
Text GOOD2TALKON to 686868