Last week, following the tragic death of Redeemer student Bekett Noble, Redeemer announced a Mental Health Support Action Plan, to support students as the university lives out its Reformed Christian mission in ways where all members of the campus community are treated with dignity and respect in a caring and compassionate environment. 

To fulfill this commitment, the university is fast-tracking mental health support initiatives and investments that were already planned or underway. More students will benefit from additional resources and services they need to support their mental health.

Today the university is announcing the establishment of Redeemer’s Mental Health Task Force. 

The Mental Health Task Force will review the best ways to meet the growing need for mental health services and supports among university students and provide recommendations on how to move forward on expanding mental health supports at Redeemer.

The task force will be chaired by the Dean of Students and includes faculty, staff and mental health and wellness professionals.

To ensure task force recommendations meet the needs of Redeemer students, a Student Advisory group will be established by the President’s Office to provide input to the task force. The advisory group will include representation from a variety of students, including student government, as well as members of underrepresented groups on campus such as LGBTQ+, BIPOC and international students. Listening and gathering meaningful information from the Student Advisory group will be an important component of action planning moving forward.

The Mental Health Task Force will review current mental health programming alongside planned investments announced on December 7 and develop recommendations on service levels, provision models, training, administrative supports and physical space needs. Best practices from other post-secondary institutions in Ontario and the health care sector will also be reviewed by the task force. A summary report of recommendations will be delivered to the President’s Council by April 30, 2023.