U of G, Homewood partner to elevate mental health supports, women's athletics

Homewood Health and the University of Guelph's department of athletics have joined forces in a partnership designed to expand both organizations shared passion for the benefits of physical activity and mental wellbeing while also elevating women's athletics. 

This collaboration is anchored by an alignment of shared values, expertise, and commitment to fostering resilience through mental health support and sports.

The partnership brings together Homewood's 140 years of leadership in mental health care and Gryphon Athletics' commitment to physical activity and mental wellbeing on campus. 
 
Over the next three years, Homewood Health and Gryphon Athletics will leverage their combined strengths to: 

• Expand the Gryphons Empowered by Movement Program – Research has shown the incredible benefits of physical activity on one's mental wellbeing. The university's Gryphons Empowered by Movement (GEM) program, integrates the therapeutic benefits of exercise to support students facing mental health challenges. This partnership fortifies the University's capacity to offer effective, evidence-based mental wellness initiatives through physical activity.
• Champion women's athletics – Establishing a new standard for equity and excellence in women's sports by securing the first-ever title sponsorship for women varsity athletics at the University. Homewood's investment includes sponsorship of the women's hockey and rugby teams and the She's Got Game fundraising initiative, which has been instrumental in reducing the historical funding disparity in women's athletic scholarships.
• Advance research & innovation – Launching collaborative research initiatives at the intersection of mental health and athletics to generate insights that will inform best practices and improve support systems for student-athletes nationwide. 

This partnership models how institutions can align their expertise to deliver lasting, community-wide impact. 

"This collaboration is a natural synergy—Homewood Health has long championed the mental health benefits of exercise, and U of G athletics is at the forefront of integrating wellness into student life," says Dr. Carlos Lalonde, president and chief of staff of Homewood Health Centre in Guelph. "By working together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of students, particularly women in athletics, who often face unique mental health challenges." 

Homewood Health is committed to expanding services, knowledge and awareness of women's mental health, this partnership further strengthens that commitment.

"In 2024, we launched the Women's Trauma and Concurrent program to address the complex needs of women navigating trauma and mental health challenges and sponsored the Homewood Research Chair in Women's Mental Health and Depression at the Homewood Research Institute," adds Dr. Lalonde. "Through this new partnership with Gryphon Athletics, we're supporting women's athletics and strengthening research, capacity-building, and future collaborations that can drive systemic change. This is about more than sports—it's about fostering resilience, leadership, and well-being for future generations." 

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Homewood to further our commitment to the well-being of our students through programs like Gryphons Empowered by Movement (GEM)," said U of G's director of athletics Scott McRoberts.

"Mental health is as critical as physical performance in achieving success, and our partnership with Homewood will enhance student access to these important resources. This partnership underscores our shared passion for furthering women's sports."

For more information on this initiative, visit homewoodhealthcentre.com.