Broadly speaking, evaluation assesses the value, quality or impact of any given activity, effort. While general evaluation work may have a broad scope, in terms of the mental health and addictions work on campus, an evaluation refers to the work of assessing how these services or initiatives are affecting the student population and others on campus. More specifically, evaluation of programs and services refers to the systematic collection of information about the activities, characteristics and outcomes of programs and services to make judgments about them, improve their effectiveness and inform future decision-making about them.
Carleton University
In 2016, Carleton updated the Student Mental Health Framework to address the needs and changing climate to a more holistic, inclusive, whole campus plan. The document was used as guiding values for the work being done across departments, student services, and student groups.
The purpose of this new plan is to:
- Reinforce and strengthen the University’s existing framework to incorporate guiding values from the updated University Strategic Integrated Plan (2020).
- Identify any gaps and/or new topics of importance and incorporate into the existing areas of the Student Mental Health Framework 2.0.
- Present and share highlights of what has been accomplished in recent years.
- Provide a guide and tiered University level evaluation framework for mental health programs, initiatives, and services.
Download the PDF Report Here: Carleton Mental Health Framework 3.0
York University
The Student Counselling, Health & Wellbeing team at York University set out on an evaluation mission to achieve the following in 2020-2021:
- Develop an evaluation framework for mental health & well-being services at York University
- Develop a data schedule for Student Counselling & Development at York University
- Complete a preliminary evaluation of the merging of the HEP & SCD portfolios
What resulted was a reflective report titled The Elephant in the Room: An honest and pragmatic reflection on program evaluation. In this report, Stephanie Cheung walks us through the following topics connected to her experience engaging in the Evaluation Champion Program:
- An overview of Program Evaluation & My Practice
- Program Evaluation: Common Barriers & Potential Solutions
- Counselling Practicum Program Evaluation Outline
- Exercise to Engage Teams in Program Evaluation
- Additional Resources
Toronto Metropolitan University
This project aimed to develop a clear evaluation structure to assess the current demands on the Student Accommodation Facilitator team including direct and indirect time spent supporting students with accommodation planning and related services, identify inefficiencies in time and resources, and create a report with recommendations about what, if any, additional resources are needed to ensure capacity matches demands.
Northern College
Northern College completed an Evaluation Plan for their campus-wide Mental Health Strategy using the Evaluation Toolkit templates and content as a guide. The following is a copy of their evaluation plan.
University of Guelph
University of Guelph completed an Evaluation Plan to evaluate their Student Wellness Navigators. The following is a copy of their project summary.
George Brown College
George Brown College created a logic model directly for the work they were doing, and a deeper understanding of how a logic model connects all the elements of a program or initiative.
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2024 Update:
In 2020, GBC Counselling and Student Well-Being Services (“Counselling Services”) transitioned to a Stepped Care model, broadening mental health support for students through tailored interventions ranging in intensity. This model aims to ensure timely, appropriate help across various needs while maximizing limited resources. To evaluate aspects of this model, previously, the team conducted evaluations including needs assessments for GBC students, satisfaction surveys, mental health symptom questionnaires, and data on student usage and demographics on an ad hoc basis. Building on this foundation, the current evaluation capacity project aimed to develop and implement a more comprehensive evaluation strategy. This effort focused on assessing the effectiveness of services, the student experience, and particularly the impact on equity-deserving populations. This project represents a commitment to leverage past insights and enhance service inclusivity and responsiveness. By examining these key areas, Counselling Services aims to continuously improve, ensuring support meets the diverse needs of the student body and contributes to their well-being and success, with a goal of making services more supportive and effective.
Algonquin College
Algonquin College created an Evaluation Plan to assess the impact of Algonquin College Counselling Services on resilience and coping in Algonquin College students. The following is a copy of their project summary.
Durham College
Durham College created an evaluation Strategic Plan to help anchor evaluation that could be occurring across multiple campuses and programs.
Focus Groups at a Glance
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Service Review at a Glance
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University of Windsor
The University of Windsor’s project aimed to develop an overarching evaluation for the Mental Health and Wellness Peer Advocate Volunteer Program within the Student Counselling Centre.
Please contact Ella Wiseman @ ewiseman@campusmentalhealth.ca for further information on this project.
Centennial College
Centennial College’s project aimed to pilot feedback-informed treatment and care approaches for mental health and accessible learning counselling services. The following is a word document with their project summary.
Sheridan College
Sheridan College’s project aimed to evaluate the impact of the community wellness strategy within the Department of Wellness & Counselling. The following is a word document with their project summary.
Lambton College
Lambton College’s project aimed to develop a rationale for evaluation and take steps to create an evaluation culture, within the development stream of the program. The following is a word document with their project summary, as well as a project report
Lakehead University
Lakehead University’s project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a campus-wide anti-stigma campaign. The following is a word document with their project summary.
Humber College
Humber College’s project aimed to evaluate a co-curricular curriculum centered on student wellbeing, mental health, social justice, Indigenous ways of being, and radical care. The following is a word document with their project summary.
University of Toronto, Mississauga
University of Toronto, Mississauga’s project aimed to evaluate their Health & Counselling Centre. The following is a PDF with their project summary.
Niagara College
Niagara College’s project aimed to evaluate their Health, Wellness and Accessibility services. The following is a word document with their project summary.
St. Lawrence College
St. Lawrence College’s project aimed to evaluate Student Success Division. The following is a word document with their project summary. Their QI and Assessment framework is also below.
St Lawrence College
SLC – QI and Assessment Framework – March 2025
