Overview of Proposal

Following the successful implementation of a student-run peer-to-peer student wellness line at McGill University in Montreal, QC, this recommendation report that is being submitted to the McMaster Student Union (MSU) Vice-President, Education and VP, Administration will seek to have a similar student-run wellness line/nightline at McMaster University. 

How Would it be Used?

Such a helpline will provide an alternate route for students to connect for more minor and non-professional wellness or stress-related issues (ex. exam stress, loneliness, anxiety, or just someone to talk to when they feel a bit down or like they need to get something off their mind). Through providing another avenue for students to connect with each other, you are providing a more comfortable and relatable space for students to connect and support each other with issues that they understand. While this is only one aspect of how this line could be used, such a line should accept a range of calls from student-to-student weather it be questions, seeking support, or more minor things.

What if there is a crisis call?

Such a service will not offer immediate crisis services such as 988 or Kids Help Phone. Connections that are received in this way will be immediately redirected towards 988 or the appropriate wellness support. People connecting with such a service at McMaster will be made aware of this when they first join or make that connect with the service if it is implemented.

Who would provide the support for such a service?

The purpose of such a line at McMaster would be to allow for students to connect with their peers to discuss issues that they may have on their mind that could be related to more by other students. It provides another avenue for students to connect with each other through providing a more comfortable and relatable space for students to connect and support each other with issues that they understand. Due to this, the service would be run by students-for-students with precautions put in place for people providing support (ex. pre-start screening), connections, and services provided through the line.

What's with the name of the line?

While for ease of typeability here it is referred to as a "Student Wellness Line" to convey how it will support students or a "Student Helpline", such a line can and should be used for anything peer-to-peer related at McMaster. Providing services for not only feelings and an outpost for students to seek support, but also a comfortable place that students feel that they can reach out to another student and have a question answered. The name of such a line at McMaster has yet to be decided and a final recommendation will be made within the submitted report.

Has the MSU been consulted or made aware of this?

Previous conversations dating back to December of 2023 and February of 2024 were held where such a service at McMaster was one of many mental health and student well-being topic of discussion. The MSU VP Education has been made aware of the incomings of such a recommendation report and indicated that it will be looked at and reviewed for further debate and conversation. The report will be submitted to both the VP, Education and the VP, Administration.