A committee which includes students from the University of Guelph and Conestoga College is adding a youth perspective to the local health system.
Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network recently launched a new student health advirory committee to tackle a number of student priorities, including accessing services, sexual health, and mental health and addictions.
The committee will be made up of 14 members from across the region’s four post-secondary institutions: the University of Guelph, Waterloo University, Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College.
Those four institutions support a population of over 85,000 students in the region. In a news release, the LHIN said it seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of all local students.
“I really appreciate the efforts that the Waterloo Wellington LHIN is taking to promote inclusivity and truly listen to the community they serve.” said Amanda Pereira, chair of the Student Health Advisory Committee.
In the release, the LHIN said it sought to bring together a diverse group of individuals with a wide range of experiences and interests.
“Students are some of the most uninhibited problem solvers we have, and are a critical piece of our region’s community,” said Andrew Davidson, a VP at the Waterloo Wellington LHIN. “To have an opportunity to work alongside a group like the Student Health Advisory Committee and to engage in forming collaborative responses to the issues students see daily has made the committee feel truly impactful. We look forward to seeing what lies ahead for this group as we work together to drive meaningful change.”
The Waterloo Wellington LHIN funds local health services to the tune of $1.1 billion annually to the 800,000 residents it serves in the region.
