Dr. Karen Csoli, Director of Health, Wellness & Accessibility Services, was interviewed by Kate Carnegie on YourTV to discuss the recent funding Niagara College received from the provincial government. This funding will enhance the health and wellness services provided to students.
As one of the selected recipients, Niagara College will receive $868,625 in dedicated funding over two years. This will address extensive primary care and addiction service gaps and offer tailor-made supports for Indigenous students in partnership with Community Addictions Services of Niagara (CASON).
Csoli discusses how the new project will address the following needs:
- Reduce wait times and increase access to physicians on campus;
- Create tailored pathways for Indigenous students, including culturally appropriate bridges between Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Western approaches to mental health;
- Create wraparound health, wellbeing and education supports for students with complex mental health needs; and
- Create tailored pathways for students needing addiction counselling.
“One in six Ontarians does not have access to a primary healthcare provider, and at a post-secondary institution, that number increases because students have come away from their usual healthcare providers,” said Csoli. “By having a Nurse Practitioner onsite on a regular basis, it takes pressure off part-time physicians who are only available on certain days and times. Students will have more access to that primary care.”
“HWAS at Niagara College is based on a Western model of providing healthcare, which isn’t the best way to support our students. We needed to respond to the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Part of that is providing access to Indigenous healers and other mental health supports that aren’t as clinical as a counsellor or nurse. This position will foster those connections and bring traditional healers onto campus.”
Watch the November 29 segment here.
