Get to know F&S: Lauren Weidmark

Lauren Weidmark brings deep empathy and a commitment to student mental health to her new role at Campus Safety.

Lauren Weidmark was recently appointed Campus Safety’s first ever St. George campus Community Crisis Response Coordinator.  

Lauren has been passionate about mental health since she was a teenager, which brought her to specializing in psychology for her undergraduate degree at U of T. In her second year, she joined Campus Safety as a casual call taker, and it was during this time that she became aware of Campus Safety’s unique role at the university. 

The experiences she gained in that role motivated her to become a special constable in 2015 —a position she refers to as “a massively valuable experience.” 

As a special constable, she worked in both the uniformed patrol unit, and the plainclothes investigative unit, to ensure the safety of the campus community—handling complex calls, conducting investigations, and doing community outreach. 

Lauren thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in student events. “Staying in touch with community is very important,” says Lauren. She often organized Safety Week at U of T, hosted pancake breakfasts with Campus Safety, and even took part in a cheer-off.  

Meanwhile, her dedication to student mental health grew.  

“During my time as Special Constable, I was most comfortable taking mental health related calls,” says Lauren, who often took the lead during mental health crises because of her ability to empathize with individuals in distress.  

Her new role as Community Crisis Response Coordinator—a new position created from the recommendations of the ‘Report on the Role of Campus Safety in Responding to Students in Mental Health Crises’—focuses on addressing calls related to mental health crises on campus and providing in-person support to de-escalate high-stress situations.  

She believes that compassion and respect are critical in these settings.  

Lauren’s current position also involves connecting individuals to the necessary resources to prevent recurrence of the crisis, providing input on Campus Safety training and policies, and building relationships across the university and broader community to allow for more effective responses.   

Looking ahead, Lauren is determined to see the community crisis response team expand, alongside more widespread promotion of mental health resources across campus. 

Outside of work, Lauren is interested in art, training her golden retriever, Ellie, practicing mindfulness, and spending time outdoors. 

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis on campus, do not hesitate to call 416-978-2222 and non-urgent calls can be made to 416-978-2323.