In partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA) and the University of Guelph Campus Safety Office, IMPACT is a pilot project which provides an immediate response to those on the University of Guelph campus undergoing a mental health crisis by dispatching dedicated mental health professionals alongside campus safety officers when assisting with crisis calls.

Since the program's inception (2021), there’s been a significant reduction in the need for police or emergency medical intervention. In 2021 alone, IMPACT workers received 116 distress calls and attended 13 live calls. In 10 of those calls, the IMPACT worker was able to assess and manage the crisis avoiding the need to send the individual to the hospital. Additionally, in four calls, there was no need for a police response

IMPACT dedicated mental health professionals are stationed on campus four nights a week (see times below) to fill the gap when Student Wellness services are closed (nights, weekends and holidays) and to respond with a safety officer when calls are received about an individual at risk. This initiative has transformed the way mental health-related calls for service are handled by providing a collaborative, immediate and comprehensive crisis response for individuals and their families. Wrap-around care and linkages to on-campus and off-campus services will further support this on-campus initiative for individuals experiencing a crisis. IMPACT is particularly helpful for those students experiencing trauma and racialized students who may see police as triggering.

IMPACT assists our Campus Safety office in several ways:

• An opportunity to meet face-to-face with a mental health professional who can offer immediate support
• Connecting with individuals to assess needs and coordinate ongoing support
• Provide a continuum of care with daytime counselling staff who can offer connections to on-campus and off-campus services that offer further support

The Integrated Mobile Police And Crisis Team (IMPACT) exemplifies what is possible when community partners work together to support our community.

How to connect with an IMPACT worker:

An IMPACT worker is available on campus for emergency help Thursday through Sunday, 2 p.m. to midnight via the Campus Safety Office: 519-840-5000 or 519-824-4120 ext. 52000, or by texting the Crisis Line: text UOFG to 686868.

Mental health resources are also available throughout the week through Here 24/7 [1], which provides addictions, mental health and crisis services through 12 regional agencies: 1-844-437-3247.

For non-emergency mental health support, a Student Wellness Navigator can be contacted by calling 519-824-4120 ext. 52131. Learn more. [2]

All partners within this initiative are committed to and obligated to ensure all client privacy rights are in compliance with all applicable Ontario Privacy Legislation. Learn more about this program here. [3]

READ "IMPACT Mental Health Program at U of G Sees Success in First Year" [4]