ÌÇÐÄvlog¾«Æ·

ÌÇÐÄvlog¾«Æ· Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (Conestoga) is committed to cultivating a supportive teaching, learning, living, and working environment that addresses the health and wellness needs of students.

Aspiring to the ideals of the Okanagan Charter, Conestoga's goals are to embed consideration of student mental health across all aspects of campus culture, including services, teaching practices, administration, and commitment to high-quality academic programs.

This policy frames Conestoga's commitment to this goal as it relates to students and ensures the College remains compliant with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act and related directives from the Minister.

An annual report will be provided to the Board of Governors on the implementation and effectiveness of this policy. The report will describe the programs, services and supports provided to students.

This policy applies to all activities at Conestoga that have an impact on students' Mental Health.

ÌÇÐÄvlog¾«Æ· maintains a glossary of terms specific to the institution. The ones in use for this document are defined below.

1. Conestoga provides equitable, culturally safe, holistic mental health supports to students in three broad categories, with a principal focus on being both proactive and responsive to a broad range of needs:
1. Primary support focuses on keeping mental health concerns from forming. The College prioritizes activities such as orientation programs, educational services and events that promote overall well-being to assist with all students; mental health. This includes recognizing a number of mental health awareness days.
2. Secondary support is focused on early intervention when a student is starting to struggle with their mental health. The College provides support services to help guide students to the right resources and make sure they can access the help they need to feel better. This includes fostering a culture of caring, reducing stigma and barriers to accessing support as well as specific assistance for students in distress.
3. Tertiary support focuses on engaging students who have faced or are facing significant challenges. Conestoga's goal is to provide individualized resources to improve well-being and help students successfully engage with their academics.
2. Conestoga's primary focus is on providing Educational Programming, which means it may not be equipped to offer treatment for severe mental health conditions. Where the necessary resources or expertise are not available in-house, the College will work collaboratively with community agencies and local healthcare providers to support students.
3. The main point of access for comprehensive information about mental health supports and initiatives at Conestoga is through the Student Success Portal which is centrally accessible to students, faculty and employees.
4. The College acknowledges the importance of providing culturally safe and responsive support for mental health.
1. Students have diverse needs, experiences, and worldviews including intersecting identities that impact their experiences of mental health and access to services. The College is committed to working on integrating consideration for these perspectives in the design and delivery of mental health initiatives.
2. The staff in Student Health & Wellness provide support from an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed approach and represent diverse identities and backgrounds. These services are committed to effectively and sensitively supporting the diverse student population.
3. Conestoga recognizes the importance of maintaining ongoing relationships with the community beyond the College, such as faith leaders, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Elders, and mental health service providers as part of building a robust network of supports for students' mental health.
5. Conestoga provides a variety of mental health programs and services that are available to all registered students.
1. Prevention programs and non-clinical support, such as service navigation and case management, are available to all students.
2. Counselling Services are available to all students and, as needed, will facilitate connections to other community resources.
3. The services of the Medical Clinic are available to students who do not have access to a primary healthcare provider in Ontario and to care that is consistent with the practice standards of the clinical staff.
4. Indigenous Elders and the Indigenous Student Wellness Advisor are available to students who require supports that are integrated with Indigenous ways of knowing and cultural practices.
5. To reduce stigma, the College may provide programs and services designed to meet the unique needs of specific groups of students, such as those from a particular background or identity group or who have a particular type of diagnosis.
6. The College commits to making professional development opportunities available to all employees on topics relating to supporting students with mental health concerns.
   

7. Conestoga collects mental health information received from students seeking the services of the Medical Clinic and Counselling Services in keeping with the Personal Health Information Protection Act(PHIPA). The application of this Act is detailed in the College Protection of Personal Health Information Policy.
8. Information pertaining to students mental health collected by any other department, service, or employee acting on behalf of the College is governed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act(FIPPA). The application of this Act is detailed in the College's Protection of Privacy Policy.
9. The purpose of collecting mental health information from students is to render programs and services and maintain the safety of those to whom it pertains.
1. Permitted uses of the information includes:
1. Providing direct services such as, but not limited to, counseling, case management, and academic accommodation,
2. Obtaining payment through funding provided by the provincial government,
3. Planning, administering and managing internal operations,
4. Conducting risk management and quality improvement activities,
5. Compiling statistics,
6. Responding to complaints and appeals,
7. Retaining and destroying records in accordance with the law,
8. Complying with legal and regulatory requirements, and
9. Fulfilling other purposes permitted or required by applicable law.
2. The College will not disclose students mental health information to parents, families, friends, or other third parties supporters without consent.
1. Consent is understood to be implied if a student invites a supporter into an appointment, though verbal confirmation will typically be obtained from the student.
2. Supporters may not consent on a student's behalf to any course of action by College personnel or to the disclosure of personal information.
3. A student may revoke consent at any time by making a request in writing. Consent will not be considered valid beyond 12 months from when it is granted unless reaffirmed in writing.
4. The College may disclose mental health information to third parties as needed when there are reasonable grounds for concerns about safety. The information that is disclosed will be limited to that which is required to engage appropriate help.
10. Students with questions, concerns, or wishing to review records containing their personal information may contact the department that collected the data or privacy@conestogac.on.ca.