Mental Health Committee (MHC)
The UTGSU Mental Health Committee works on the policy, education, and institutional advocacy of graduate student mental health.
Rather than focusing primarily on wellness events or peer support, the Committee examines the broader conditions that shape graduate student wellbeing. This may include university policies, access to mental health services, supportive leave processes, financial & academic pressures, supervisory relationships, accommodations, and communication between students & university decision-makers.
The committee sits within the Vice-President Graduate Life portfolio and works to bring graduate student perspectives into conversations with university administrators, services, and other campus partners.
What the Committee Does
- Identifying university policies and practices that affect graduate mental health
- Gathering student perspectives through surveys, consultations, and focus groups
- Developing recommendations, briefing materials, and advocacy campaigns
- Meeting with university administrators and mental health service providers
- Building relationships with bodies such as the School of Graduate Studies, the Office of the Vice-Provost Students, and Health & Mental Health Services
- Supporting systemic initiatives such as improvements to the Supportive Leaves Policy, Accessibility Services, and other institutional services & procedures
- Helping students better understand and navigate available mental health resources
The committee may also collaborate with other student groups on events or campaigns where programming and advocacy overlap.
Mental Health Committee and GradMinds
The Mental Health Committee and GradMinds play different but complementary roles.
GradMinds focuses mainly on peer-facing programming, mental health education, wellness activities, peer support, resilience, and destigmatization.
The Mental Health Committee focuses mainly on policy, advocacy, institutional relationships, governance, research, and long-term systemic change.
Students interested primarily in organizing events, workshops, or peer wellness initiatives may find GradMinds to be the best fit. Students interested in research, policy, advocacy, and institutional change may be more interested in the Mental Health Committee. Students are welcome to express interest in both and you are always able to switch your commitments between the Committee and GradMinds.
Help Rebuild the Committee
The Mental Health Committee is being reactivated for the 2026–27 academic year with a clearer mandate and stronger coordination with GradMinds.
This means the Committee is not yet operating within a fully fixed structure. New members will have a meaningful opportunity to help shape its priorities, working groups, advocacy areas, and ways of engaging graduate students across the university.
You do not need prior experience in mental health advocacy or university governance. Students with curiosity, lived knowledge of graduate student life, research skills, policy interests, or a desire to improve institutional conditions are encouraged to get involved.
What Involvement Looks Like
The Committee is expected to meet approximately once per month. Work between meetings will vary depending on the committee’s priorities and may include:
- Conducting research
- Reviewing university policies
- Drafting recommendations or campaign materials
- Supporting surveys or student consultations
- Meeting with university staff or administrators
- Contributing to specific advocacy projects
The time commitment will be flexible, with opportunities for both lighter and more sustained involvement.
Get Involved
Interested in graduate mental health advocacy, policy, or institutional change? Fill out the Mental Health Committee interest form below:
If you have any questions or concerns about the Mental Health Committee, please contact the VP Grad Life at gradlife@utgsu.ca.
Mental Health Campaign
Learn more about the Mental Health Campaign.