University of Guelph hopes to help overall wellbeing of students
This June, the University of Guelph has officially gained approval from the Board of Governors and Senate to introduce a more supportive mental health framework for the wellbeing of its students.
The new framework will regulate all decision-making processes regarding student welfare and mental health in hopes of encouraging a more open and compassionate atmosphere for all struggling individuals.
The University of Guelph has been recognized for countless initiatives concerning the welfare of students during their university careers and “like other universities in the province, we are increasingly concerned about student mental health issues,” Brenda Whiteside, associate vice-president of student affairs, said in a campus bulletin.
Whiteside has also noted the significant increase of students seeking the support programs provided by the school in comparison to previous semesters.
It is quite common for mental health issues to arise during the initial school semesters, as there are an incredible amount of pressures, varying from stricter expectations for academic success, numerous socio-cultural pressures, and various personal stressors during this time.
The University of Guelph has the students’ best interests in mind with this framework, which goes beyond counseling services and awareness, and delves into the great complexities and diversities accompanying mental health.
This framework is taking an integrated approach and deals with student mental health by initiating a more understanding and empathetic approach in determining the level of student support and identification of difficulty while dealing with referrals.
Academic policies will also be revised and continuously altered to align with these new policies, which will hopefully guide students through their university years while assisting in identifying the initial signs of mental health issues and prevention for future and current students.