{"id":112072,"date":"2026-10-08T13:19:50","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T17:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=112072"},"modified":"2026-10-08T21:59:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T01:59:50","slug":"student-feedback-shapes-enhanced-mental-health-supports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2026\/10\/student-feedback-shapes-enhanced-mental-health-supports\/","title":{"rendered":"Student feedback shapes enhanced mental health supports"},"content":{"rendered":"

Drawing on feedback from the Brock community, the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre<\/a> (SWAC) is refreshing the delivery of mental health\u00a0services to provide more personalized support.<\/p>\n

As part of the refresh, Personal Counselling has been renamed Mental Health and Wellness Services to more accurately reflect the breadth of care and resources available.<\/p>\n

While counselling sessions continue to be a key resource, the renewed program includes a wide range of supports,\u00a0including individual counselling, psychotherapy, group therapy and psychoeducational workshops, peer support and wellness navigation.<\/p>\n

Whether students are self-referred or referred by someone else, they are connected with the resources that best suit their individual circumstances following a clinical assessment.<\/p>\n

Students seeking assistance through Mental Health and Wellness Services can visit the SWAC website<\/a>, email mentalhealth@brocku.ca<\/a> or call 905-688-5550 x5442.<\/p>\n

\u201cSupporting student well-being is an important part of helping students thrive both academically and personally,\u201d says Associate Vice-President, Students Brad Clarke. \u201cBy refining program delivery, we’re helping students access support in ways that reflect their individual needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

To support the refresh, Brock received a competitive Mental Health and Addictions grant of $675,000, allotted over two years, from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.<\/p>\n

“This provincial funding to support mental health and wellness is essential for the educational journey of students enrolled at Brock University. This investment in the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre will enable counsellors and medical professionals to provide expanded access to on-campus care where and when it is needed,\u201d says Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West Sam Oosterhoff.<\/p>\n

\u201cStudent wellness is essential to student success,\u201d says Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security\u00a0Nolan Quinn. \u201cThis investment will ensure that students at Brock University have further access to timely and high-quality mental health care, building a stronger, healthier campus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Executive Director, Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre Bill Helmeczi says a variety of strong partnerships help expand the range of care and resources available to Brock students.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorking alongside Brock colleagues and community organizations bolsters our ability to connect students with a variety of supports,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Resources for students are available through Student Affairs\u2019 Campus Assessment, Response, Education (CARE) and Connect Team<\/a>. From housing and health to food insecurity, the team connects Brock students with campus and community resources to help ensure a positive living and learning environment.<\/p>\n

Brock’s Gender and Sexual Violence (GSV) Support and Education<\/a> team, part of the University’s Human Rights and Equity Office, delivers a variety of trauma-informed, survivor-centred supports, resources and learning opportunities for all members of the University community.<\/p>\n

The Niagara Health Sexual Assault Centre also has a team member on campus one day each week to provide counselling and assistance for survivors and witnesses of sexual assault. Brock\u2019s ongoing partnership with Niagara Region Public Health also continues to support sexual health education and services.<\/p>\n

Through a GreenShield Community Partnership Grant administered by the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health, Community Addiction Services of Niagara is on campus twice a week to assist students experiencing addiction related challenges or those affected by a family member\u2019s addiction.<\/p>\n

Students experiencing crisis<\/a> and needing urgent assistance are encouraged to:<\/p>\n