Mental health and wellness

Over the last few years, we’ve achieved important milestones in improving the mental health and well-being of our community.

In 2022, we published the President’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Wellness Report. This report, based on the best practices in mental health across Canadian postsecondary institutions and a thorough campus-wide listening effort, offered 12 recommendations to enhance the mental health and well-being of everyone in our community.

In July 2022, we appointed Elizabeth (“Betsy”) Kristjansson as University advisor for mental health and wellness. She oversaw the implementation of these recommendations, identifying and addressing gaps and working to enhance the overall well-being of our community.

This effort culminated in June 2023 with a new Mental Health and Wellness Strategic Framework developed by Kristjansson. The framework guides our efforts to empower students, professors and support staff to thrive in a caring and compassionate university setting.

During a transition period, our inaugural vice-provost, equity, diversity and inclusive excellence, Awad Ibrahim, will lead our university in implementing this framework. He will help us cultivate a caring, compassionate University environment that not only embraces diversity but thrives on it.

Governance

Two committees build upon the expertise and work of defunct committees that addressed similar concerns (President's Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Wellness, the Action Group on Mental Health (CAG) and Wellness and the Standing Committee on Student Wellbeing): the Mental Health and Wellness Steering Committee (MHSC) and the Mental Health and Wellness Advisory Committee (MHAC). Workings groups are created as need be to address specific issues.

The mandate of the Mental Health and Wellness Steering Committee is to support the University Advisor on Mental Health and Wellness in advancing mental health and wellbeing at the University of Ottawa, providing strategic direction, oversight and leadership.

Scope

Ensuring effective coordination with existing and planned resources and initiatives, the MHSC will plan and ensure the execution of mental health and wellness strategies, initiatives and activities at uOttawa. Specifically, the MHSC will:

Provide support and advice on the implementation of the President’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Wellness recommendations.
Through the MHAC, provide a forum to discuss gaps and emerging issues related to mental health and wellness. This will ensure it is responsive to the community and its diverse and evolving needs and perspectives. On this basis, the MHSC will make adjustments or recommend adjustments to overall strategies.
Provide support and advice on the development and implementation of the uOttawa mental health strategy going forward, in alignment with Transformation 2030 and using the 2020 Roadmap to Wellness as a starting point.
Monitor and evaluate progress in advancing mental health and wellbeing at the University of Ottawa.
Act as a community in advancing mental health and wellbeing at the University of Ottawa.

Committee Membership

The MHSC shall comprise members who have authority to carry out actions within their mandate. The University Advisor on Mental Health and Wellness serves as the Chair.

MHSC members are appointed for a three-year term, renewable.

Members

One HR Representative;
The Director, Wellness and Recreation;
Two Vice-Deans, Undergraduate Studies;
One Vice-Dean Graduate Studies;
One Faculty Affairs Representative;
One Corporate Communications Representative;
One International Office Representative; and
One Teaching and Learning Support Service Representative.

Resource people

One Senior Mental Health Advisor;
One Manager, Planning, Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs;
And, as needed, experts on specific issues.

This Committee will build upon the expertise and work of defunct committees that addressed similar concerns. This work includes the Roadmap to Wellness produced by the Action Group (CAG), as well as the findings and recommendations of the President’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Wellness.

Meeting Attendance and Schedule

The MHSC will meet as often as required to fulfill its mandate, as convened by the Chair, and no less than every 4 weeks. Meetings will be held in both official languages. Secretariat services are provided by the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs.

Working groups can be struck by the Committee on an as needed, ad hoc basis to address specific needs, recommendations, or projects and can include key stakeholders. MHSC members will participate in working groups that suit their interest and skills.

Accountability and Reporting

The chair reports on the MHSC’s work to the Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs. Items brought forward for decisions by the Provost will involve those recommendations and reports on initiatives with broad or significant organizational impact. They will be first discussed with the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs, and brought forward to the Administration Committee (CA) if required.

Alignment

The Committee complements other university committees that work towards improving student and community life and experiences. Examples include such committees as the Psychological Health and Safety Committee.

The Committee does not address disciplinary concerns for students or employees, the academic aspects of student retention or academic matters.

Find immediate support

If you are in distress or in a crisis, there are several resources available (by phone or online) on the mental health and wellness website.
For emergencies on campus: 613-562-5411.
For emergencies off-campus: 9-1-1.

Mental Health and Wellness

Key resources

If you see any behaviour that may be out of character or unusual for someone, don't forget to refer them to available resources.

Refer

Reference documents

Read the reports, including the University of Ottawa's Mental Health and Wellness Strategic Framework, and learn more about our initiatives to foster a caring University community.

Mental Health and Wellness Strategic Framework (PDF, 961KB)

Progress Report on Mental Health and Wellness 2021-2022 (PDF, 1596KB)

Progress Report on Mental Health and Wellness 2020-2021 (PDF, 656KB)

President's Advisory Committee - Final Report (PDF, 870KB)

Excellence Canada Mental Health at Work Initiative

Okanagan Charter

Contact us

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Phone : 613-562-5800 ext. 4542

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Email : [email protected]

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Mental health and wellness