As we approach the holiday season, mental health and wellness is important now more than ever, for all of us – Niagara College employees and students alike.
For many, the holidays are not a time of joy; they bring back sad memories and create a further sense of loss in their lives. In these cases, it is important to remember that Niagara College offers counselling services through the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
How to help a student in need
Looking ahead to the Winter Term, we know that our commitment to supporting student success unites all of us at Niagara College, and our duty to our students goes beyond the classroom. Every Niagara College team member can make a positive difference in a student’s life, especially when it comes to their mental health.
We know that being successful at college is not just about being strong academically. Our students may experience any number of challenges that may affect their success. The health and safety of our students has always been a priority for Niagara College, and the pandemic has underscored the importance of mental health services for students.
Health, Wellness, and Accessibility Services (HWAS) at Niagara College wants to empower staff and faculty with the knowledge and tools to better support and refer students in crisis, so that they can be assessed quickly and directed to the appropriate services.
Staff and faculty who are concerned about a student’s wellbeing can Request a Student Wellness Check via the HWAS website. You can assure students that our services are confidential and voluntary.
You may consider referring a student if they are feeling overwhelmed, hopeless or in despair, if they disclose a personal crisis, or if they are withdrawn or behaving out of character. Some other reasons to request a Wellness Check include:
- Concern that a student is showing signs of deteriorating mental or physical health.
- Observing some type of unique circumstance that has caused a rapid deterioration in the student’s academic performance.
If a student is in imminent risk of danger to themselves or another person, or if they are experiencing an emergency/crisis that requires immediate intervention, please call 911 and then Campus Security at 905-735-2211 ext. 6999. HWAS is not an emergency crisis service.
The chart below, developed in collaboration with the Student Rights and Responsibilities Office, outlines how to identify a student dealing with mental health issues/crisis situations, resources available to students who are struggling and how to refer them to resources, how to identify different levels of a crisis, and how to report concerning behaviour.
