George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
George Brown Polytechnic is proud to join a new cross-sector initiative focused on strengthening student well-being, harm reduction, and access to mental health and substance use supports across Toronto’s post-secondary landscape.
Led by OCAD University and supported by a $591,675 grant from Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, the two-year initiative brings together George Brown Polytechnic, OCAD University, Toronto Metropolitan University, The Neighbourhood Group Community Services, and Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre. Collectively, these partners support more than 84,000 students across the city.
A coordinated response to evolving student needs
The initiative responds to the increasingly complex mental health and substance use realities facing students today, including heightened risks associated with isolation, overdose, stigma, and an unpredictable, unregulated drug supply.
Grounded in a trauma-informed and equity-based approach, the work will prioritize reducing stigma, fostering open and non-judgmental conversations about substance use, and strengthening pathways to both campus and community-based supports.
At George Brown, student well-being is recognized as foundational to academic success. Through this partnership, the polytechnic is contributing to a coordinated, cross-sector effort to expand education, improve awareness, and make it easier for students to access timely and appropriate support.
Programming designed with and for students
At George Brown, the initiative will be led by Student Well-Being and Support, with primary delivery through Peer Mentor Plus and Counselling. Programming will include student-facing education and training, peer-led outreach, harm reduction pop-ups, and the development of accessible resources that connect students to services.
The initiative will roll out in three phases:
- Phase one: Capacity building
Education and training on substance use, harm reduction, and overdose response will be co-designed with students and community partners. Delivery may include digital modules, workshops, and drop-in sessions. - Phase two: Harm reduction outreach
Low-barrier pop-ups will be introduced during key academic periods — such as orientation, midterms, and exams — to provide information, create space for supportive dialogue, and connect students to resources. - Phase three: Knowledge sharing
A student-led podcast will share lived experiences, community expertise, and practical education related to mental health, substance use, and harm reduction, creating a lasting resource for learners.
Strengthening connections and reducing barriers to care
By embedding harm reduction and mental health education into campus life, the initiative aims to create safer, more informed environments where students feel supported and empowered to make decisions about their well-being.
“This partnership is about meeting students where they are, with care, compassion, and practical support,” said Alex Irwin, Director of Student Well-Being and Support at George Brown Polytechnic. “We know that students are more likely to reach out for help when they feel connected, included, and feel that they belong. By working with our institutional and community partners, we can help reduce stigma, build a stronger sense of community, and create safer, more supportive spaces where students can thrive.”
Looking ahead
Planning and development for the initiative will begin in summer 2026, with programming set to launch in fall 2026 and continue through March 2028.
George Brown Polytechnic looks forward to working with institutional and community partners — and with students themselves — to advance this important work and strengthen well-being across Toronto’s post-secondary community.
Find supports to help you succeed with George Brown’s student well-being resources and services.