A service corridor is a pathway for the movement of clients through collaborative agreements between professionals in the same organization, or between establishments. The service corridor for the student population between the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de la Montérégie-Est (CISSS de la Montérégie-Est) and Cégep Édouard-Montpetit emerged in 2020 from a common desire on the part of these two organizations, notably in response to ministerial orientations (Plan d’action sur la santé mentale étudiante en enseignement supérieur 2021-2026 (measure 4.2) and Plan d’action en santé mentale 2015-2020 (measure 5).
These establishments have opted for a model that goes beyond a simple reference request: it’s based on genuine administrative and professional collaboration. To find out more about this practice, the Station SME team met Catherine Lachaîne, Assistant Director of Student and Community Affairs at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit, and Michel Proulx, Head of Administration for the 1st and 2nd Line Mental Health Programs at CISSS de la Montérégie-Est.
Terms of collaboration
Operating procedures have been put in place between the Cégep, the mental health team and the 1st-line dependency team of the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est to ensure the smooth running of this collaboration. It should also be noted that there is no financial agreement associated with it, apart from the release of human resources. Here are the main elements that structure it.
Liaison and coordination of support requests
When a student submits a request to Cégep Student Services, it is first evaluated by the psychosocial team using a process that provides an overview of the intensity of the need (follow-up and symptoms), the person’s history, etc. Then, depending on the results of this evaluation, the request is directed to: the psychosocial team, the student, the psychosocial team and the student’s family. Then, depending on the results of this assessment, the request is directed to:
- a member of the Cégep psychosocial team or
- a liaison officer from CISSS de Montérégie-Est (nurse clinician from the CISSS mental health access counter). She plays a key role in coordinating referrals from the Cégep. When she receives a request from the Cégep, she identifies the services required by the CISSS and establishes the necessary connections (e.g.: CISSS worker dedicated to the Cégep Édouard-Montpetit, hospital center, community organizations, etc.).
Working with students directly on site
When the liaison officer refers a request to a CISSS worker, the student can receive services directly at the Cégep. Interventions can also take place via teleconsultation, depending on student preferences. Individual and group follow-ups are maintained even during the summer, guaranteeing continuity of care.
Consulting support for Cégep Edouard-Montpetit staff
The CISSS worker and liaison officer take part in Cégep student services team meetings and provide support and advice in managing complex situations. When necessary, they may also be called upon to draw on the expertise of a CISSS psychiatrist or addiction specialist, and share recommendations with the Cégep psychosocial team.
What were the key ingredients in this collaboration?
- Common objectives and complementarity: The integration of the CISSS workers was conceived as a reinforcement of existing services, not a replacement. All are pursuing the main objective of integrating mental health as a key factor in educational success.
- Proximity of services: The presence of a CISSS worker directly on campus reduces logistical and administrative barriers. Despite the challenges of allocating physical space, this presence has proven essential to improving access to care and services.
- Maintaining links between teams: Collaboration between the Cégep and the CISSS requires ongoing coordination and communication to ensure that interventions are consistent, and to agree on the distribution of follow-ups and the time required to take charge. This is all the more important for students requiring complex or rapid support. Regular participation in clinical meetings has strengthened communication, the sharing of expertise and cohesion between staff from both organizations.
- Involvement of managers: Understanding and mutual respect between managers are as crucial as those between practitioners. A collaboration agreement signed between the two organizations ensures the sustainability of the project despite staff turnover. This agreement also provides for a joint committee of managers to meet annually with a view to continuous improvement.
In conclusion, this collaboration between CISSS de la Montérégie-Est and Cégep Édouard-Montpetit has enabled students to quickly access a wide range of services offered by CISSS directly on campus. By reducing barriers to accessing care and facilitating referral to the appropriate resources, this initiative contributes to improving the well-being of students and creating a stronger safety net for them.
We would like to thank Catherine Lachaîne, Assistant Director of Student and Community Affairs at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit, and Michel Proulx, Head of Administration for the 1st and 2nd Line Mental Health Programs at CISSS de la Montérégie-Est, for their contributions to this article.
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