BP-Net Webinar Series: Advancing Post-Secondary Counselling Metrics
Part 1: Regional Benchmarking & A Tri-Campus Evaluation Framework
On October 7, 2026, the Best Practices Network (BP-Net) hosted “Advancing Post-Secondary Counselling Metrics (Part 1): Regional Benchmarking & A Tri-Campus Evaluation Framework,” a 55-minute session focused on how Canadian post-secondary institutions collect, evaluate, and use counselling data to enhance student mental health services.
The webinar featured two institutional perspectives:
Benchmarking Counselling Centre Supports in Atlantic Canada and Beyond
This presentation shared insights from The Canadian Post-Secondary Student Mental Health Services Survey (conducted with AACUSS and CACUSS in late 2023/early 2024). The session highlighted comparative benchmarks and subgroup analyses between colleges and universities, demonstrating how Student Affairs leaders can use these metrics to justify funding and staffing, diversify mental health resources, and guide future pan-Canadian research.
Using Data to Drive Student Mental Health Outcomes at the University of Toronto
U of T’s Tri-Campus Institutional Evaluation Framework, centering on two core components:
- Unified Data Architecture: Establishing a coordinated multi-campus dataset to standardize operational decision-making, rigorous evaluation, and cross-institutional accountability.
- System-Wide Impact Assessment: Evaluating integrated clinical outcomes and student feedback across all three campuses to validate the impact and reach of strategic mental health initiatives.
To watch the recording of the webinar, and access copies of the presenters’ slides, click the links below!
Presenters
Tom Brophy, Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs and Services at Saint Mary’s University (SMU).
Steven Smith, Professor of Psychology at SMU and the Graduate Program Coordinator for the Master of Applied Health Services Research (MAHSR) program at SMU.
Chris Bartha, Senior Executive Director, Student Mental Health, Systems Policy and Strategy at the University of Toronto.
Part 2: Collaborative Program Development & Institutional Insights
On November 4, 2026, the Best Practices Network (BP-Net) hosted a virtual webinar titled “Advancing Post-Secondary Counselling Metrics (Part 2): Collaborative Program Development & Institutional Insights.” Serving as the second installment in a two-part series, the 55-minute session focused on how Canadian post-secondary institutions collect, evaluate, and translate student counselling metrics into actionable service improvements.
The webinar featured two presentations:
Creating a Culture of Collaborative Program Development Informed by Data
This presentation explored the data-informed change process within Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Centre for Student Development and Counselling. The speakers outlined how combining qualitative and quantitative indicators helps front-line teams identify service gaps, engage clinical staff in decision-making, and navigate organizational change for continuous quality improvement.
From Headcounts to Insight: What a Year of Counselling Data Tells Us About Student Need
Examining findings from a full year of integrated counselling health records, symptom screenings, and student feedback at the University of British Columbia (UBC), this discussion addressed seasonal utilization trends, symptom severity profiles, and five core metrics (reach, visit patterns, presenting concerns, symptom severity, and feedback), while demonstrating practical strategies to synthesize clinical data into plain-language reporting for campus leadership and academic deans.
To watch the recording of the webinar, and access copies of the presenters’ slides, click the links below!
Presenters
Laura Girz, Ph.D., C.Psych. (TMU)
David McNeill, MSW, RSW (TMU)
Robin Ryan, Associate Director of Student Health and Wellbeing (UBC)
Presenters’ Slide Deck
Click here to view the slide deck for the first presentation.
Click here to view the slide deck for the second presentation.
Webinar Recording
To view a recording of the webinar, click here.