A Collaborative Approach to Student-Centric Care at McGill University

Flexible, student-centric care is transforming mental health services at McGill University. 

This episode of The “So, Why?” Podcast features a conversation with Vera Romano, Director of the Student Wellness Hub at McGill University, on how McGill has been re-designing its campus mental health system to be more responsive to and reflective of its student population.

In conversation with Kait Saxton, Director of Service Delivery Strategy and Implementation at Stepped Care Solutions, they explore how clinicians, staff and university leadership have embraced a paradigm shift in mental health system thinking to implement a new approach to service delivery. 

Want to hear more about how the innovative Stepped Care 2.0 model supports communities to reframe, rethink, and redesign the delivery of mental health and substance use health services? Check out previous episodes of The “So, Why?” Podcast in Spotify, or at our website: https://steppedcaresolutions.com/mental-health-podcast/ 

More information from this episode:

On McGill University: 

• McGill Student Wellness Hub website

• “How a growth mindset is transforming student wellness at McGill” (Report on Giving 2022-23) 

On Implementation Science: 

• Populating the model: The SC2.0 approach to co-design for mental health and substance use health system transformation (web article) 

• "Guiding Principles for Implementing Stepped Care in Mental Health: Alignment on the Bigger Picture" (published in Community Mental Health Journal, April 2023) 

• "Exploring Determinants of Effective Implementation of an Innovation Within Health Care: Qualitative Insights from Program Champions on Implementing One-at-a-Time Therapy Within Addictions and Mental Health Services in New Brunswick" (published in Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, November 2024)

This episode’s guest:

Dr. Vera Romano is Director of the Student Wellness Hub at McGill University and an Associate Member in the Faculty of Educational and Counselling Psychology. She has maintained a private therapy practice since 2000 and brings over two decades of experience in student mental health and wellness. At McGill, Dr. Romano leads a nationally-recognized initiative that integrates physical and mental health services, with a strong emphasis on prevention, early intervention, and inclusive care.

About the Student Wellness Hub:

The Student Wellness Hub provides a range of services to support the wellbeing of McGill students with a focus on awareness, prevention, and early intervention.

The Hub is committed to supporting the diverse needs of McGill’s student population through accessible services, peer support, and wellness education that reflects the university’s values of equity and belonging.