How We Can Help
Case Management is a supportive process that provides students who are experiencing distress, demonstrating disruptive behaviours, or facing other challenges with support, education, and coordination of resources.
Faculty, staff, external community members and students may refer a student when a student is:
- Experiencing a sudden change in circumstance that is significantly impacting their academic, personal, or financial situation
- Transitioning to/from campus due to medical leave and/or hospitalization
- In distress and in need of early intervention support to connect to appropriate services on-campus or in the community
- Struggling or overwhelmed and experiencing barriers toward accessing other services
- Demonstrating concerning behaviour that is disruptive or impacting the campus community
- Experiencing multiple stressors and there is complexity to the situation, ie. traumatic, serious or critical incident who may need assistance coordinating multi resources and supports
If your concern relates to one of the areas below, you may be able to connect directly with a campus resource:
- Academic Advising (academic-related needs/questions)
- Student Wellness Centre (medical and counselling services for students)
- Student Accessibility Services (academic accommodations for students)
- Registrar’s Office (registration and/or OSAP questions)
What to expect when connecting with a Case Manager
Confidential Listening: A respectful, inclusive space to share what you’re experiencing without judgment
Support Planning: Collaboratively set goals and map out a personalized action plan
Resource Navigation: Direct connection and advocacy across housing, academic, financial, or healthcare services
Flexible Follow-Up: A single triage session or ongoing check-ins depending on situation complexity
In many situations, a student may meet with a Case Manager once to discuss resources and make a support plan. But in other situations, there may be follow-up meetings required to continue working through the steps of the support plan.
How to Refer a Student for Case Management Support
E-mail the SCM, scm@mcmaster.ca, to refer a student and/or to set-up an appointment to discuss a referral.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once you have completed the referral form, you will receive an e-mail indicating it has been received. The SCM will review the referral within 2-3 business days and reach out directly to the student.
To respect a student’s privacy, the SCM cannot provide information about whether the student has followed up with a Case Manager or about the work the student is doing with their Case Manager. If the student provides consent for information to be shared the Case Manager will connect with you.
In the first meeting, with a Case Manager, a student will be introduced to the SCM and be asked to share what challenges they are experiencing, what other services they are connected to discuss their current goals for case management.
The Case Manager will provide some information about potential options or resources and develop a plan for next steps with the student.
In some situations, this initial meeting may be enough to provide a student with the information they need to move forward on their own, but in other situations, follow-up meetings may be required.
Counselling uses therapeutic interventions to support an individual, while case management focuses on exploring options, identifying resources, and navigating systems and policies.
Students are eligible for case management services throughout their time as a student and there is no set number of appointments. A Case Manager and/or student may determine when case management services are no longer required. A student is always welcome to re-connect with their Case Manager if new concerns arise.
Yes, we would encourage you to reach out to the SCM to discuss if a referral is appropriate. You can reach us at scm@mcmaster.ca. One of our Case Managers will respond and set-up a time for a consultation.