GUELPH – A pilot project is launching Oct. 21 between the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington and the University of Guelph that will see an IMPACT worker on campus to provide afterhours mental health support for students.
IMPACT means Integrated Mobile Police and Crisis Team and these workers are specially trained mental health clinicians who have expertise in suicide prevention including safety planning, mental health assessments and de-escalation technics.
Distress calls from anywhere on campus will be taken by the Campus Safety Office dispatcher, who will notify officers and the IMPACT worker to respond together.
Since 2015, CMHA WW and the Guelph Police Service have been working together to provide supportive mental health crisis care to those in need in the Guelph community through the IMPACT program.
The partnership is very successful and results in hospital diversion and better health outcomes for individuals.
CMHA WW IMPACT workers also collaborate with Waterloo Regional Police and Wellington OPP.
This new partnership with the University of Guelph is coming at a crucial time officials say.
“This project is a testament of the excellent work that the IMPACT team is already doing and speaks to the successes of the overall program,” says U of G director of service Jeff Stanlick.
“This year is especially exceptional as students return to campus. The added pressures that the fourth wave (and ongoing pandemic) challenges bring, demand the need for accessible mental health care across the board.”
In 2020 there was a 40% increase in IMPACT responses to 911 calls with police.
Overall, the need for mental health supports in the community has grown since the onset of the pandemic and the University of Guelph population is no different.
“With the return to campus for classes, there is concern and evidence that people may be struggling with their mental health during the pandemic,” said Alison Burnett, director of student wellness services at U of G.
“We want to increase the resources available.”
The university will create “seamless access” back and forth with clinical services at the university to better support student mental health especially after hours.
The IMPACT worker will be on campus Thursdays from 3pm to midnight, and Friday through Sunday from 2pm to midnight.
