TMU Mental Health & Wellbeing Committee
Established in 2012, the Ryerson Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee (RMHWC) reports to the Provost and VP Academic, and VP Administration and Operations. The committee meets regularly and draws its faculty, staff, and student membership from across campus.
Since its beginning, the committee has made significant progress in developing principles and commitments, community resources, community events and new roles - all aimed at supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our community. The reports and resources in this section demonstrate this progress.
Since 2012, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee has led projects and produced several documents aimed at creating systemic, innovative and university-wide solutions for student staff and faculty mental health.
Flexible Learning Resource
Flexibility is a foundational principle of an inclusive classroom, which supports mental health and wellbeing of students. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee wanted to help illustrate what flexible pedagogy can look like in practice. This was accomplished through a project to collect examples that illustrate flexibility, used by university instructors in their teaching practices. The result can be seen below in an Executive Summary of the project, as well as full version. We invite you to review and share this resource widely.
- (PDF file) Flexible Learning Resource - Executive Summary (2018)
- (PDF file) Flexible Learning Resource - Full (2018)
(PDF file) Our Time to Lead and Mental Wellbeing at Ryerson
As the 2014-2019 Academic Plan ‘Our Time to Lead’ was being developed, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee created this document in 2013 to offer examples in which some specific strategies that are described in ‘Our Time to Lead could be achieved within the context of Toronto Metropolitan’s Statement of Commitment to Mental Wellbeing.
(PDF file) Mental Wellbeing Principles for University Policies (p.3-4)
In order for Toronto Metropolitan to effectively act on and maintain the Statement of Commitment to Mental Well-Being, policies need to support mental well-being and embody a number of principles consistent with this goal. This document was created by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee in order to support those at Toronto Metropolitan reviewing existing policy, or creating new policy, aim for this goal.
(PDF file) Ryerson Mental Health Advisory Committee - 2013 Report
(PDF file) Ryerson Mental Health Advisory Committee - 2013 Report Appendix
- ‘Ryerson Statement of Commitment of Mental Wellbeing’
- ‘Mental Wellbeing Principles for Ryerson Policies’
(PDF file) Ryerson Mental Health Committee - 2016 Report
(PDF file) Ryerson Mental Health Committee - 2016 Report Executive Summary
(PDF file) Terms of Reference - Ryerson Mental Health & Wellbeing Committee - 2018
Toronto Metropolitan University Statement of Commitment to Mental Wellbeing
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) is committed to the success of all its community members by creating an environment that is supportive of mental well-being. This includes an ongoing dedication to creating and sustaining a supportive campus culture and institutional ethos without stigmatization and discrimination with regard to mental health.
Drawing from the Public Health Agency of Canada definition of mental health, Toronto Metropolitan’s understanding of mental wellbeing is: “The capacities of each and all of us to feel, think, and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face. It is a positive sense of emotional and spiritual wellbeing that respects the importance of culture, equity, social justice, interconnections, and personal dignity.”
Issues of mental wellbeing, stigma, and discrimination against people with perceived mental health issues can affect all members of the Toronto Metropolitan community, and can interfere with their success as well as impact on the university’s mission. In order to support the university’s vision, the aim of this statement is to develop and maintain a vibrant, flourishing university community and environment that sustains mental wellbeing for all members to succeed. This will be achieved through providing opportunities for mental well-being promotion, education, capacity-building and support.
Equity, respect and fairness will be promoted through an accessible and accommodating work, learning and social environment. Toronto Metropolitan will take a proactive stance regarding the mental wellbeing of all members of the community. Toronto Metropolitan recognizes the shared responsibility of the institution and all community members to support mental well-being on campus, and encourages collaboration among all faculty, staff and students to this end. The university will provide a range of services and programs that promote mental well-being awareness, education and support for all community members.