In January 2023, former president Charlotte Yates established the President’s Task Force on Student Mental Health to engage the community and co-produce recommendations on how we can advance our efforts to support our students’ mental health. 

In April 2024, the Task Force published a report that outlined a holistic approach to creating a campus climate that promotes well-being and success. 

As U of G implements the report’s recommendations, the Steering Committee has a few updates to share on our progress. 

Progress on mental health initiatives 

There have been many activities ongoing across campus to support student mental health that are reflected in the many recommendations offered in the report. The project coordinator will be hoping to connect with those individuals to ensure this work is captured.   

Some highlights thus far include: 

  • Releasing the Task Force report and recommendations in April 2024, striking the Implementation Committee, and hiring Raquel Ricardez as project coordinator in September 2024. 
  • Launching the revamped Healthy Campus webpage in August, including sections on Mental Health and Food Security. 
  • Hosting several members of both provincial and federal governments to discuss mental health and advocacy for ongoing support including: 
  • On Sept. 5, welcoming the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, who hosted a round table with students on mental health along with MP Guelph, Lloyd Longfield.   
  • On Aug. 23, welcoming the Honourable Michael Tibollo, MPP and Associate Minister of Mental Health & Addictions on Aug. 23 where we had great discussions regarding student mental health and the recommendations from the Task Force. 
  • Launching a new training, Trauma Informed Care: Connecting with Compassion in Fall 2024. 
  • The installation of “Archie,” an indoor Greenspace in the Vaccarino Centre for Student Wellness that encourages students to reduce physiological and psychological stress by surrounding themselves with plant-filled architecture. 
An arch structure inside a building, with shelves that are lined with green plants.
Archie, an indoor greenspace
A group of five people from U of G and Minister Tibollo's office stand together outdoors posing for a group photo.
Minister Tibollo visits U of G
A group of people pose for a group photo up a staircase, consisting of U of G folks and people from Minister Saks' office.
Minister Saks visits U of G

Going forward, Raquel will be working to ensure progress on the report recommendations is reflected on the President’s Task Force on Student Mental Health website. 

Welcome the new Mental Health Task Force project coordinator Raquel Ricardez 

Headshot of Raquel Ricardez.

The Steering Committee is pleased to announce that Raquel Ricardez is joining the team as the Mental Health Task Force project coordinator.  

Before joining the University of Guelph, Raquel worked as a faculty relations manager – special projects at the University of Waterloo. She has held multiple project-based rolesin post-secondary institutions in the last three years as she works towards completing her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. In addition to this, Raquel has several years of experience managing community-based mental health programs at the Canadian Mental Health Association in Calgary. 

Her educational background includes a Master of Arts in Classical Studies from Western University and a certificate in Project Management from the University of Calgary. Raquel enjoys, reading, gardening, and planning her next adventure abroad. 

Raquel will support U of G’s implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations, working collaboratively with individuals across the institution and communicating the advancements we collectively make to the community. Since starting her role, Raquel has prioritized learning about the University, engaging with stakeholders, and exploring opportunities to advance the Task Force’s recommendations through partnerships across campus. 

If you have questions or would like to connect with Raquel about the task force implementation or initiatives underway, please reach out via rricarde@uoguelph.ca.  

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