The university has officially committed to the structural changes and funding increases we demanded. This outcome represents a shift in how our campus prioritizes the well-being of its students. We must now remain diligent to ensure these promises are fully implemented in the coming terms.
June 1, 2018
Final supporters
WE, STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE ADDRESS OF THE CONDITIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO STUDENT SUICIDE AND THE CONTINUING GAPS IN SUPPORT FOR STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH THAT LEAVE TOO MANY OF OUR NUMBER AT RISK FOR SUICIDE.
Additional support and funding for the existing counselling centre
• Provide unlimited counselling sessions for all University of Waterloo students
• Stop the triaging of students struggling with mental health issues based on “severity” by addressing the needs of students in emotional pain quickly
• Restructure management in counselling services to allow counsellors greater freedom to do their jobs
• During peak demand for counselling services, offer partnerships with outside organizations for free counselling or find counsellors who offer sliding scale payment
• Develop a structure to help students find longer term counselling more quickly as well as crisis counselling beyond the University
Address toxic competitive culture or the alienating learning environment on campus
• Encourage faculty to redesign courses and teaching practices to encourage cooperation and mutual support among students rather than fostering competition
• Give professors training in mental health support and awareness – including eradicating a culture of shame and shaming around mental illness
• Streamline academic accommodations support with counselling services
• Provide additional training and support tools in mental health awareness for residence dons
• Develop events that foster an ongoing dialogue on campus about mental health as it impacts on students as a whole as well as on Indigenous students, international students, and students of colour, in particular
We urge the university to work with the families of students who have died to create appropriate memorials on campus.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
March 9, 2018
Reached 100 supporters
March 8, 2018
108 Comments
What the point of having some of the best programs and students from all over the world, if this is the cost for it? 60 years of innovation, but at what costs? How many have suffered like this? The only way for us to grow as a university community is to look after one another and care more about lives than about academic performace.
there have been enough death during the time i spent in ECE undergrad and grad study. Most of my classmates and friends feels depress and helpless meeting the lows of our life during school yet nowhere to reach for help. Time to say No to school!
The walkout today was so moving, let's keep the spark going. We put so much effort into technology innovation. What about humanity innovation?
Attending #WaterlooWalkout has opened my eyes to the significant problems regarding mental health not being addressed by the University of Waterloo. Nobody should have to wait six months for someone to talk to.
Mental health is a priority. Not an afterthought. We need to not only address the inadequencies of health services on campus from obnoxious wait times, understaffing, and basing cases by severity, but also the toxic Waterloo culture of success and innovation over community and compassion.
Not really a student at this university but I have friends there and I’m actually concern for their lack of needs there
Waterloo needs to shape up! There have been far too many suicides. Students need support and counseling.
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The university has officially committed to the structural changes and funding increases we demanded. This outcome represents a shift in how our campus prioritizes the well-being of its students. We must now remain diligent to ensure these promises are fully implemented in the coming terms.
June 1, 2018
Final supporters
WE, STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE ADDRESS OF THE CONDITIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO STUDENT SUICIDE AND THE CONTINUING GAPS IN SUPPORT FOR STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH THAT LEAVE TOO MANY OF OUR NUMBER AT RISK FOR SUICIDE.
Additional support and funding for the existing counselling centre
• Provide unlimited counselling sessions for all University of Waterloo students
• Stop the triaging of students struggling with mental health issues based on “severity” by addressing the needs of students in emotional pain quickly
• Restructure management in counselling services to allow counsellors greater freedom to do their jobs
• During peak demand for counselling services, offer partnerships with outside organizations for free counselling or find counsellors who offer sliding scale payment
• Develop a structure to help students find longer term counselling more quickly as well as crisis counselling beyond the University
Address toxic competitive culture or the alienating learning environment on campus
• Encourage faculty to redesign courses and teaching practices to encourage cooperation and mutual support among students rather than fostering competition
• Give professors training in mental health support and awareness – including eradicating a culture of shame and shaming around mental illness
• Streamline academic accommodations support with counselling services
• Provide additional training and support tools in mental health awareness for residence dons
• Develop events that foster an ongoing dialogue on campus about mental health as it impacts on students as a whole as well as on Indigenous students, international students, and students of colour, in particular
We urge the university to work with the families of students who have died to create appropriate memorials on campus.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
March 9, 2018
Reached 100 supporters
March 8, 2018
108 Comments
I wholeheartedly agree that they need to stop triaging students on the basis of severity! The way to prevent crisis situations is to get help when it is NOT YET A CRISIS. Students should not have to be in an extreme situation in order to receive adequate care.
What the point of having some of the best programs and students from all over the world, if this is the cost for it? 60 years of innovation, but at what costs? How many have suffered like this? The only way for us to grow as a university community is to look after one another and care more about lives than about academic performace.
there have been enough death during the time i spent in ECE undergrad and grad study. Most of my classmates and friends feels depress and helpless meeting the lows of our life during school yet nowhere to reach for help. Time to say No to school!
The walkout today was so moving, let's keep the spark going. We put so much effort into technology innovation. What about humanity innovation?
Attending #WaterlooWalkout has opened my eyes to the significant problems regarding mental health not being addressed by the University of Waterloo. Nobody should have to wait six months for someone to talk to.
Mental health is a priority. Not an afterthought. We need to not only address the inadequencies of health services on campus from obnoxious wait times, understaffing, and basing cases by severity, but also the toxic Waterloo culture of success and innovation over community and compassion.
Not really a student at this university but I have friends there and I’m actually concern for their lack of needs there
Waterloo needs to shape up! There have been far too many suicides. Students need support and counseling.
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I wholeheartedly agree that they need to stop triaging students on the basis of severity! The way to prevent crisis situations is to get help when it is NOT YET A CRISIS. Students should not have to be in an extreme situation in order to receive adequate care.