Community Report | Campus Wellness Resources

Welcome Message

Executive Director, Goldi Gill

I am writing to you with immense pride and a deep sense of accomplishment as I reflect on the remarkable progress we've made over the past year and the impact we have had on students receiving our support. Campus Wellness has significantly expanded its range of services to better respond to the diverse needs of students. This includes the introduction of new Wellness Programs, the expansion of Single Session Counselling appointments, and the availability of Same Day Health appointments, which have already made a substantial impact with students in fostering a sense of support and inclusivity.

One of the highlights of this year was the launch of the inaugural Student Advisory Committee, which I had the honor of chairing. Students from across the university came together to provide invaluable feedback on our events, initiatives, and processes. Their insights have been instrumental in shaping our approach to Campus Wellness, ensuring that our services are responsive to student’s needs

We are profoundly grateful for the engagement and feedback from our students, as well as the collaborative efforts of our staff, and campus partners. These contributions have been vital in enhancing our offerings and driving meaningful improvements.

Looking ahead, I am filled with excitement and optimism for the future as we continue to evolve into a student focused service. This shift highlights our dedication to addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by our student community and equipping them with the strategies to live a healthy balanced life. We have many more innovative initiatives in the pipeline, all informed by the ongoing input of our students. It is a privilege to serve you in my role at Campus Wellness, and I am eager to continue working together to create a supportive and thriving campus community.

For a detailed overview of our recent activities and future plans, I encourage you to read the entire Community Report.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

Jump to section: Overview | Client Experience & Community Engagement | Equity Strategy Progress | Counselling Program & Services Developments | Promoting Wellness & Accessible Healthcare

Overview

Campus Wellness offers a range of primary medical care and mental health services to support students at the University of Waterloo.

Spanning May 2023 to April 2024, the community report focuses on four focus areas highlighting a student-first approach to creating and fostering a healthy campus community.

19, 585 Counselling Services appointments 3, 499 Counselling Services clients

30, 238 Health Services appointments 8, 463 Health Services clients

3,406 Specialized Care appointments 831 Specialized Care clients

Client Experience & Community Engagement

Campus Wellness Client Satisfaction Survey

The Campus Wellness Client Satisfaction survey asks clients about their experience accessing our services to better understand needs and expectations, and to identify areas that require improvements. To ensure we are collecting timely data that allows us to be more responsive to client feedback, the client survey is now being administered in both Fall and Winter terms.

Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 client satisfaction survey

94 %

of clients reported they were comfortable sharing their concerns with their care provider

94 %

of clients reported that their care provider prioritized their perspective

93 %

of clients reported they were involved as much as they wanted in their care

Mental Health Training Opportunities

In addition to a range of wellness programs and student groups, Campus Wellness offers mental health training opportunities to students and employees.

Recognizing and Responding to a Person in Distress, is open to both students and employees
Mental Health Literacy Program, which is a virtual, five-module program, is available to employees

181 number of people who completed the training for the Recognizing and Responding to a Person in Distress

200 number of people who completed the training for the Mental Health Literacy Certificate Program

Mental Health Literacy Certificate Program - For Employees

95 %

of employees who completed the training feel equipped to recognize when someone is in distress

95 %

of employees who completed the training feel equipped to respond to someone in distress

Student Engagement

Campus Wellness values mentorship, experiential learning and student involvement as part of our work. We engage students in multiple ways, including placements, co-ops, volunteers, and paid advisory committee positions.

6 social work students
4 psychiatry residents
3 psychology residents
2 nursing students
8 patient flow facilitator co-op students
41 peer health education volunteers
12 student advisory committee members
3 technical support co-ops
1 communications co-op

Equity Strategy Progress

As we stride into the third year of our ambitious Equity Strategy, Campus Wellness remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering an environment that prioritizes equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

Our journey, guided by the principles of the Okanagan Charter for Health Promotion and the Presidents Anti-Racism Task Force (PART) recommendations, has seen significant progress over the past year.

Embracing Diversity in Client Interaction

Our ongoing Client Navigation Project exemplifies our dedication to continuous improvement through an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens. This initiative, aimed at streamlining client interactions, ensures that every touchpoint reflects our commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and health equity. We are excited to soon engage students in advancing this pivotal work.

Culturally Responsive Support for Students

In 2023, our efforts expanded to develop culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches, solidifying our position as a hub for inclusive campus initiatives. Collaborating closely with students, our Counseling Services orchestrated a series of culturally enriching wellness events tailored to the needs of Equity Deserving Groups. From vibrant African drumming sessions to empowering Soca dance workshops and specialized hair care sessions for black students, these events celebrated diversity and garnered overwhelming interest from our student community. We look forward to building on this momentum with further engaging events in the pipeline.

Integrating Equity in Human Resource Management

To infuse equity, diversity, and inclusion into every facet of our organization, we've implemented a multi-pronged approach in human resource management. Establishing new performance appraisal goals centered on EDI competency upskilling, we've equipped our staff with the tools to champion inclusivity in their roles. Moreover, our commitment to employment equity is evident in the involvement of our Associate Director – Equity Strategy and Initiatives in all hiring processes, ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce reflective of our values.

Fostering Collaborative Partnerships

Collaboration lies at the heart of our mission to advance equity and inclusion. We've fostered robust partnerships with the university's Indigenous Relations Office, EDI-R offices, and other relevant associations, amplifying our collective efforts towards EDI-R goals. Through joint initiatives like the Kairos Blanket exercise, we deepen our understanding and commitment to reconciliation, paving the way for continued collaboration and impactful wellness events.

As we reflect on our achievements, we recognize that our journey towards equity and inclusion is ongoing. With unwavering dedication and collaborative spirit, Campus Wellness remains steadfast in its pursuit of a more caring, whole, equitable, strategic, and transformative campus community. Together, we are shaping a future where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.

Counselling Program & Services Developments

At Campus Wellness, students continue to be at the heart of everything we do.

In January 2024, we proudly introduced a new Counseling position within our Athletics department, reinforcing our commitment to supporting the holistic development of our students.
Our Same Day program operated Wednesday from 11:30 am to 7:30 pm, ensuring immediate access to counseling services when students need it most. In response to feedback from our student body, we've increased the presence of counsellors across all counselling sessions, providing comprehensive support to reduce wait times and meet the needs of students.
We believe in proactive care and education. That's why we've introduced innovative workshops like ‘CannaCare’, focusing on cannabis harm reduction, ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and ‘Gender Journeys’.
In February we celebrated Black History month with vibrant events like Gwan Move with a Soca Fit Event and exhilarating Drums Alive sessions, enriching student experiences and recognizing the diversity of our student population.
Diversity and inclusion are integral to our community. Our team of counsellors reflects this, with a diverse and eclectic group of specialists, including those dedicated to neurodiversity and those supporting members of equity deserving groups. At Campus Wellness, we are dedicated to creating a culture and environment where students can find identity-based supports and feel seen, heard, and celebrated.

Promoting Wellness & Accessible Healthcare

At Campus Wellness, our mission is to foster a vibrant community by prioritizing the holistic well-being of our students. Over the past year, we've made significant strides in expanding our services and enhancing accessibility to meet the diverse health needs of our community.

Expanded Appointment Availability

We're proud to announce that our appointment availability has increased substantially. With the addition of eight physicians from diverse backgrounds, we now offer same-day appointments to address urgent health concerns promptly. This expansion not only reduces wait times but also ensures that students receive timely care tailored to their individual needs.

Enhanced Gender Affirming Care

Recognizing the importance of inclusive healthcare, we have taken steps to enhance our Gender Affirming Care services. Our team is dedicated to providing affirming and supportive care to individuals of all gender identities. Through specialized training and inclusive practices, we strive to create a welcoming environment where every student feels respected and valued.

Utilization of Travel Clinic

Our Travel Clinic continues to be a valuable resource for students, staff, and faculty planning international travel. In the past year, it has been well-utilized, providing essential travel advice and recommended vaccines to ensure the health and safety of our community members abroad. Whether it's for study abroad programs or personal travel, our Travel Clinic remains committed to promoting safe and healthy travel practices.

Focus on Public Health, Including COVID Vaccines

Amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment to public health remains unwavering. We have continued to prioritize the distribution of COVID vaccines, ensuring that students have access to the latest information and resources to make informed decisions about their health. Our Health Services team remains vigilant in monitoring the evolving situation and providing support to students as needed.

Thank you for taking the time to read our community report. Your engagement, feedback and continued support are invaluable to us as we prioritize the health and wellness our student community.

As we look ahead, Campus Wellness remains dedicated to fostering a culture of well-being and accessibility within our community. We will continue to innovate and adapt our services to meet the evolving needs of our students, empowering them to succeed both academically and personally.

We look forward to your continued support and participation in our future initiatives.

Warm regards,

Goldi Gill