Student mental health procedural document

1. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

These procedures provide all members of the Vanier College community with directions on how to address concerns related to the Student Mental Health Policy.

Nothing in the policy or these procedures precludes an individual from exercising their rights under a collective agreement, management agreement, or from seeking alternate routes such as the Quebec Human Rights Commission.

These procedures are intended to function with other College policies.

2. MEMBERSHIP OF STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH POLICY STANDING COMMITTEE

The committee is composed of the following:

Ex-officio: Chair of Standing Committee – Coordinator Student Services
Ex-officio: Co-Chair – Student Services Mental Health Professional
Ex-officio: Director of Human Resources or delegate
Ex-officio: Director of Student Services or delegate
Association of Vanier College Administrators (AVCA) Representative
Vanier College Teachers’ Association (VCTA) Representative
Association of Vanier College Professionals (AVCP) Representative
Vanier College Support Personnel Association (VCSPA) Representative
Vanier College Student Association (VCSA) Student Representative
Student Representative (general population)

When called upon to appoint, each union/association is encouraged to engage members whose diverse perspectives, areas of expertise, and lived experiences can support the committee’s context and objectives.

3. COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

This procedural document is intended to work in tandem with other College policies. Formal complaints of a violation of the Student Mental Health Policy can be made through the relevant procedures in the Institutional Policy on the Evaluation of Student Achievement, Harassment and Discrimination Policy, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Policy, and/or Code of Conduct Policy, as applicable.

The Student Advocate can support students through the complaint procedures.

Policy	Person to Contact
Institutional Policy on the Evaluation of Student Achievement Policy	Teacher, Program Coordinator or Dean
Harassment and Discrimination Policy	Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Social Service Officer or Code of Conduct Social Service Officer (Student Services)
Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Policy	Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Social Service Officer (Student Services)
Code of Conduct Policy	Code of Conduct Social Service Officer (Student Services)

4. APPEAL PROCESS

The appeal process for any formal complaints will follow the process outlined in the relevant policy.

5. CONFIDENTIALITY

The College recognizes the importance of confidentiality to all parties. Individuals should make every reasonable effort to maintain confidentiality by only discussing the disclosure with someone they feel could advise them and should refrain from discussing with anyone who does not have a "need to know”.

Exceptions to confidentiality:

An individual may be at serious and imminent risk of self-harm;
An individual may be at serious and imminent risk of harming another;
There is reason to believe that other members of the broader community may be at **serious and imminent risk of harm;
There is suspected abuse of a minor (under the age of 18 as defined by the Youth Protection Act, Article 38);
The College’s records are subpoenaed.

This information will only be provided to the relevant authorities or directly to those whose safety is being protected.

6. MONITORING OF THIS PROCEDURAL DOCUMENT

Vanier College will review and amend this procedural document as required, or at least every 5 years following its adoption.