Going to university is a fun and exciting time for most students – but it comes with unique challenges and stresses. We believe that all students’ mental health and wellbeing should be properly supported during their time at university.
There is a range of mental health support available to students, from online mental health and wellbeing platform Student Space to counselling and one-to-one support. Here’s what you need to know.
What action are you taking to support students’ mental health?
Students struggling with their mental health can access Student Space, a mental health and wellbeing hub supporting students.
Funded by £3.6 million from the Office for Students (OfS), Student Space provides dedicated one-to-one text and web chat support services. It’s also an online platform providing vital mental health and wellbeing resources.
This service is part of the £15 million we have asked the OfS to allocate towards student mental health in 2022/2023. This funding will also be used to give additional support for those making the transition from school or college to university. It will also be used to address any challenges that students may face in accessing local support services through their university, by establishing better partnerships between universities and local NHS services.
To ensure all the information is readily available for students and young people, we have put together some useful links and sources of mental health support so that everyone can get the advice and help they need. This information is available here.
We are also encouraging all universities to drive up their own support for student mental health by signing up to the University Mental Health Charter Programme.
What is the University Mental Health Charter Programme?
The University Mental Health Charter programme supports universities to make cultural change to better support students and staff with their mental health and wellbeing, so that all aspects of university life promote and support mental health.
By joining the programme, universities can benefit from improved mental health for both their staff and students. Programme members can work towards the Charter Award, which recognises those universities that demonstrate excellent practice in supporting student mental health.
What is the Department doing to reduce suicides at universities?
Every student death is a tragedy and preventing suicide and self-harm in our student populations is a key priority.
We strongly support the Suicide Safer Universities guidance, led by Universities UK and Papyrus, which includes guidance on sharing information with family and friends in the event of a mental health crisis and practical advice on compassionate, confident, and timely support when a tragedy occurs.
Understanding student suicide data and risk factors is central to informing preventative action, which is why we have worked with the Office for National Statistics, which has published updated data and analysis.
Our first ever Student Support Champion, Edward Peck, has also been speaking to bereaved parents to understand where improvements can be made.
What should I do if I’m worried about a friend or family member at university?
We understand that helping a friend or family member with mental health issues can be difficult. It is important that students feel supported at this difficult time. There is support in place and people who are available to listen.
If for any reason you have cause to believe that someone you know is struggling with mental health and wellbeing issues at university, we recommend following the NHS’ guidance: Helping others with mental health problems - Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Universities have support services in place for their students which can be accessed via their website, or by looking up your university on the Student Space support pages.