The University of Guelph has launched an innovative training program aimed at increasing faculty and staff’s knowledge, understanding and awareness of how both lived traumatic experiences and generational trauma can impact student mental health and well-being.
Trauma-Informed Care Training: Connecting with Compassion (TIC:CC) is a two-hour in-person training program for staff and faculty who work closely with students that recognizes the prevalence of trauma.
TIC:CC aims to give faculty and staff the tools they need to build a supportive and understanding environment for students while also providing self-regulation and self-care practices so staff and faculty can protect their own well-being.
“This training will help staff and faculty who work directly with students be more aware of students’ unique and diverse experiences, allowing staff and faculty to help students more effectively,” says Alison Burnett, director of the Department of Student Wellness.
“We have a diverse student community and we are working to continue to provide people with the skills they need to have compassionate interactions.”
TIC:CC is not meant for staff and faculty to take on the role of professional counsellors. Instead, it’s designed to expand skills so trainees can better manage relationships and situations with students and direct them to further supports as needed. U of G is one of the first universities in Canada to implement this type of training.
“This is an important opportunity for U of G to be leaders in student support,” Burnett says. “We have excellent resources for students that they may access throughout their post-secondary education and this is the continued innovation and growth of that.”
This training fulfills one of the recommendations from the President’s Task Force on Student Mental Health Report to identify gaps in mental well-being training with consideration of compassion and trauma-informed approaches and alignment with anti-racism, allyship and cultural competence training. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that most people will experience up to three traumatic events their lifetime, so a comprehensive strategy for student wellness support must take into account how past, present or generational trauma can impact students.
“We’re increasing education, decreasing stigma and finding opportunities for individuals to help build their own capacity and competencies. Student mental health is a priority, and that’s clear through initiatives like this,” Burnett says.
Multidisciplinary approach to developing training
TIC:CC was developed through collaboration with multiple groups across campus, including staff working in Cultural Diversity, Sexual and Gender Diversity, Residence Life, clinical counselling services, Indigenous Student Centre and the Department of Psychology.
“The multidisciplinary group came from different areas of expertise and backgrounds, which makes the training really robust,” Burnett says.
Crystal Wyllie, a counsellor in U of G’s Vaccarino Centre for Student Wellness who was part of the development team, says the training will help students feel safer in the University community and more comfortable asking for additional support.
“As we become more aware of the prevalence of trauma, we need to be supportive of people who have experienced it,” Wyllie says. “Training like this can help avoid assumptions about why a person may be behaving in a particular way and will reduce misunderstandings.”
TIC:CC is highly encouraged for any staff and faculty working in front-facing student roles, although anyone can sign up. For information on booking training, email mentalhealth.training@uoguelph.ca.