Student Minds responds to parliamentary debate on a statutory duty of care for university students8/6/2023 Overview of the debateOn Monday, a statutory duty of care for students at university was debated in the House of Commons, a culmination of tremendous efforts by campaigners through months of work and dedication. We fully celebrate the achievement of getting student mental health on the national agenda and are all indebted to the families and friends who have been campaigning and sharing their experiences to drive positive change. Members of Parliament spoke to the personal experiences of their constituents, families with experiences of bereavement and students that had difficult experiences at university. These devastating accounts demonstrated the urgent need for accountable processes and clarity on the role of institutions in preventing student deaths by suicide. Robert Halfon, the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships & Higher Education, spoke to the governments’ planned approach:
Ministerial support for the University Mental Health Charter As an organisation, we are committed to an approach that drives forward change across the sector addressing both the root causes of poor mental health within university communities and how this needs to be addressed on an ongoing basis as it evolves over time. This is why we developed the University Mental Health Charter. Following the debate, the Rt. Hon. Robert Halfon MP, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, has written to leaders across the higher education sector to express his ambition that all eligible universities join the University Mental Health Charter Programme by September 2024. We hope that this will help to formalise a genuine commitment from all universities across the sector to embed a whole-university approach to student mental health. To date, 61 institutions have signed-up to become members of the programme and we know that many more universities are committed to make the changes needed to embed mental health and wellbeing into university communities that will improve student mental health. We want to support universities to understand what a whole-university approach to student mental health means for them in practice, give them opportunities to learn from each other and foster safe spaces for open, reflective discussions and learning. With recruitment opening soon for 23/24 we are cautiously optimistic about what this might mean for the next year’s Programme membership and look forward to meeting with universities that may consider joining for the first time. We also look forward to working with the Department for Education and the Minister to explore how the government can support this ambition and respond to the wider factors surfaced in the parliamentary debate which contribute to the wellbeing of the university community. Where next on a Statutory Duty of CarePreventing deaths by suicide is a nuanced, complex, issue, as is addressing poor student mental health more widely. There isn’t a simple solution. We believe that what will prevent further student deaths by suicide is the material changes made to students’ experiences, accountability measures, support, and the way universities and the wider health system aid students in distress. We understand that some may see a duty of care as a way to direct universities to make these changes, but we are not confident this would play out in practice. At Student Minds, we are an independent charity led by student experience, strong evidence and clinical oversight. We ensure that any work we support or develop is evidence-led and shaped by the expertise of students, HE professionals and clinicians. We are not afraid to challenge the government, universities or other organisations where necessary and often have in the past. When the petition was first developed we consulted the LEARN network, students, staff, clinicians and legal experts. While supportive of some of the asks of the campaign - for greater clarity on the roles and responsibilities of universities and for the gap in accountability to be addressed - we were not convinced that a full Statutory Duty of Care was the right approach at this time having not received evidence that the unintended consequences and potential to cause inadvertent harm would be managed. Earlier this year we published a news piece outlining the approach we take with the Charter and the recognition we have that this needs to be a joined-up effort across the Higher Education sector, working with the NHS, working with national policy makers and campaigners, and by building on research and evidence to strengthen and improve practice. We also attended the Petitions Committee’s evidence session to speak to the approach we’re taking with the University Mental Health Charter and the guidance, frameworks and best practice that has been being developed over the last few years. Student Minds will follow the progress the sector makes, and with our support, over the next 12 months. We will continue to engage with providers and the government to review our position on regulation as required. Thank you to all our supporters, advisors and collaborators for working with us to secure a future where no student is held back by their mental health. Further supportWe understand that it's not easy for any students, family members or members of the university community to read about these very difficult issues and we encourage anyone affected to look after themselves and reach out to others if required (please see links provided below).
Are you looking for support? Research into student mental health suggests that broad support networks can help recovery from, and management of, mental health difficulties. Your wider support network might include friends and family, your GP, University counselling / wellbeing services.
Are you feeling actively suicidal? If you are feeling like you want to die, please consider that many people who have attempted or come close to suicide look back with gratitude that they did not act on their intentions. If you are feeling actively suicidal now:
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Student Minds responds to calls for more legislation and regulation concerning student mental health7/3/2023 Content warning: This article mentions difficult subject matter. Signposting to further support can be found at the end of this piece.
We are aware that over the last few months a number of campaigns* have called for more legal duties and regulation on universities regarding student mental health, and specifically in relation to the loss of life by suicide. We recognise that these conversations are extremely difficult. Every student's death is a devastating tragedy that has an unimaginable and profound impact on families, friends and the whole community. At Student Minds we are committed to tackling student ill-health and preventing deaths by suicide. We acknowledge the complexity of addressing deaths by suicide and that there are no quick or simple solutions, whilst also believing there is much our communities can do. We believe that a holistic, whole-university approach to mental health**, is vital in understanding how we can best support students’ wellbeing and prevent deaths by suicide. In part, we believe the answer will lie in sustained joined-up working across the Higher Education sector, working with the NHS, working with national policy makers and campaigners, and by building on research and evidence to strengthen and improve practice. Due to our unique role in assessing universities' approaches, and because we are following the outcomes of several ongoing and significant projects and proceedings, we will not be responding to specific campaign asks at this time. Based on our research however, we acknowledge that there is value, for students and staff, in providing more clarity around roles, responsibilities and their related boundaries - and we do support the case for further discourse across the sector to clarify this. We have engaged in consultation with students, staff, clinicians and parents and we may publish on the detail of these issues in the coming months.We would welcome receiving further evidence and insights around the role of regulation and how the risks of any legal changes could be mitigated (please email [email protected] if you would like to share information with our team). We would like to take the opportunity to share with our networks existing resources universities may draw upon to improve student mental health and create healthy university communities, as well as routes to further support if you or someone you know has been impacted by these experiences. * Campaign examples include; https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/627329, https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/622847 ** A whole-university approach must include both adequately resourced, effective and accessible mental health services and proactive interventions. It must provide an environment and culture that reduces poor mental health, as well as supporting good mental health, and facilitating staff and students to develop insight, understanding and skills to manage and maintain their own wellbeing. Resources and guidance for Higher Education professionals
Further support We understand that it's not easy for any students, family members or members of the university community to read about these very difficult issues and we encourage anyone affected to look after themselves and reach out to others if required (please see links provided below). Are you looking for support? Research into student mental health suggests that broad support networks can help recovery from, and management of, mental health difficulties. Your wider support network might include friends and family, your GP, University counselling / wellbeing services.
Are you feeling actively suicidal? If you are feeling like you want to die, please consider that many people who have attempted or come close to suicide look back with gratitude that they did not act on their intentions. If you are feeling actively suicidal now:
In November 2022, we partnered with Alterline to conduct a nationwide survey of students, exploring their current mental health and wellbeing. The research findings show some positive improvements in key wellbeing measures, after notable drops during the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes more students reporting high life satisfaction compared to 2020/21, and fewer reporting low satisfaction. However, these levels have not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and other issues, such as the cost of living crisis, are also having detrimental effects on students’ wellbeing. Below, we highlight some of our key findings and share our thoughts on what must be done to support students.
Our findings demonstrate the scale of mental distress within the student population. Over the last 18 months, we have consistently found that around one quarter of students have a diagnosed mental health issue. In this latest research, we also found that one third of students have poor mental wellbeing according to the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scales, and one third say their mental health has worsened since beginning university. It is clear that a whole-university approach to mental health is vital in ensuring students are well-supported during their studies and are not held back by their mental health. Students also continue to juggle several competing priorities. Our findings show there is a clear risk of overwhelm and burn-out. Over half of respondents said they never or rarely have energy to spare, and increasing numbers reported feeling stressed about managing their time, money and juggling study with paid employment. At the same time, almost half of respondents said they had cut back on things they do for enjoyment to help with their financial situation, and a further one third said they are likely to need to in the coming months. This is a concerning finding given the important role that hobbies, social connections and relaxation play in supporting positive mental wellbeing. For more information on our work around the cost of living and where you can find support at this challenging time, visit our Cost of Living Hub. The government must act now. We need the government to act now to lessen the financial pressure students are experiencing during the cost of living crisis. Student Minds is urging the government to increase maintenance loans in-line with actual inflation rates; to consider the re-introduction of maintenance grants for those most in need of financial support; and to ensure all policy measures are student-inclusive. Our Chief Executive, Rosie, has also signed an open letter in collaboration with other mental health charities, calling on the Prime Minister to act with speed and compassion to tackle the root causes of destitution, to prevent suicide and an inevitable rise in mental ill health. Further, Student Minds is joining organisations from across the mental health sector to support calls for the government to publish the ten year mental health plan they previously agreed to develop. We believe that a dedicated mental health plan, which focuses on both prevention and treatment, is vital in addressing mental illness and supporting good wellbeing. For more information on the campaign to publish a ten-year mental health plan, visit Rethink Mental Illness’ campaigns page. If you are a student in need of support, Student Space is here for you. Explore our resources and support, as well as our university support search tool to see what support is available at your institution. University Mental Health Day 2023 will be changing date, due to the planned UCU strikes. Originally taking place the week before, the campaign will now be held on Thursday 9th March 2023.
University Mental Health Day is about bringing the higher education community together to start conversations and promote cultural change in student mental health. With strikes taking place throughout the week of 27th February, we want to ensure that all university staff and students get the opportunity to engage in the day fully. We want to make this year bigger and better than ever, and recognise that this wouldn’t be possible if we were to go ahead and run the day as originally planned. At Student Minds we strongly believe in a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing. There is no good student mental health without good staff mental health. Universities need to be a healthy place to not only study, but to work, so a whole-university approach is essential for thriving university communities. We hope that by moving the date, we are ensuring staff are able to engage and participate in the day alongside students. We understand the disruption that strikes may be causing to students, particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic. This period may feel like a very stressful time, so now more than ever we need to get the nation talking about university mental health Join us on Thursday 9th March to ensure no student is held back by their mental health! Are you a student being impacted by the strike action? It’s okay to be worried about how this may affect you, Student Space is here to support you. Explore our resources and support, as well as our university support search tool to see what support is available at your institution. Student Minds receives funding from UPP to explore climate change and student mental health24/1/2023 Student Minds are delighted to announce our new research project exploring the impact of climate change on student mental health and wellbeing, which is being generously supported by the UPP Foundation. The UPP Foundation are ongoing supporters of Student Minds; previous projects they have funded include our Student Living report and the University Mental Health Charter. The findings of our research will be analysed and presented within a policy report, which we expect to launch in Spring 2023.
Climate change and poor student mental health are two of the defining challenges of our era, yet there is minimal research exploring the relationship between these topics. Speaking to our Student Advisory Committee confirmed the responsibility students feel towards climate change and the worry they feel about their futures. “Thinking about climate change makes you hopeless for the future - but feeling hopeful for the future is so integral for good mental health” - Student Advisory Committee Member There is a growing evidence base to suggest that climate change has significant impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of the general population. Despite this, research into the impact of climate change on student mental health, in particular, is scarce. This research will take a mixed-methods approach, drawing on a systematic literature review, semi-structured focus group interviews, and a survey to understand how students think about, feel about, and respond to climate change. We want to say a big thank you to all of those students who have already spoken to us about their views in a number of focus groups. We are also grateful to receive support and feedback from professionals across the health and higher education sectors in the development of this project. Our hope with this report is that it will serve as a foundational piece of work for future researchers, students, policymakers and practitioners to further explore the relationship between climate change and student mental health, while also identifying key recommendations and areas of good practice. Rosie Tressler OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Student Minds, said: “The climate emergency demands an urgent response, so we are delighted to be conducting this timely research, which centres student experiences. Our goal is to provide a strong foundation for future exploration into the relationship between climate change and student mental health. We are delighted to partner once again with the UPP Foundation to deliver this work. We hope the report will serve as a vital resource for all future researchers, policymakers, activists and professionals committed to tackling two of the biggest challenges facing our society today.” Richard Brabner, Director of the UPP Foundation said: “We received an unprecedented number of outstanding applications for our most recent funding round. We chose these brilliant projects as they either help universities address fundamental issues we are facing in society, or provide an innovative approach to supporting disadvantaged students succeed during their studies “We expect that these projects will ignite great practice across the higher education sector and look forward to sharing their outcomes in the months and years ahead” For more information about this research, or any of our other projects and publications at Student Minds, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. We are very pleased to learn that the Welsh government will be increasing maintenance funding for students in Wales by 9.4%, working out at an increase of roughly £1,000 per year. This comes alongside an additional £2.3 million fund announced to support student mental health services in Wales.
Student Minds have engaged with Welsh leadership on this issue previously, giving evidence to the Senedd in December about the key issues facing student mental health. Beyond this, we continue to highlight the cost-of-living crisis as one of the foremost challenges facing students; our cost-of-living hub provides our research, signposting, and more for students, professionals, and loved ones alike. We are delighted that the Welsh government is taking our input on board and making meaningful steps to minimise the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on student mental health. There is a proven connection between financial hardship and poor student mental health. Financial hardship is linked with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and substance misuse among students. Students experiencing financial difficulties also report poorer academic outcomes and physical health. Our December 2022 cost-of-living briefing contains more detail. Last week, we responded to the Westminster governments’ announcement that students in England would see a 2.8% increase in maintenance funding in the 2023/24 academic year. Particularly in the context of the cost-of-living crisis, a real-terms cut in maintenance funding creates additional, unnecessary pressure on students. We strongly urge the Westminster government to follow the Welsh government’s example and provide a reasonable, substantial increase in maintenance funding that takes inflation and the cost-of-living crisis into account. Jenny Smith, Policy Manager at Student Minds, said: “We welcome the Welsh government’s decision and think it sets a strong example for how students should be supported, nationwide, throughout the cost-of-living crisis. While work still needs to be done to tackle the root causes of the crisis, such as spiralling energy costs and inflation, this is a step in the right direction and should take some pressure off students in Wales. “Of course, we cannot overstate the fact that students are experiencing real hardship, right now. We hope that this announcement will serve as part of a package of support which will also address the immediate financial difficulties many students are finding themselves in. While the focus is on Wales and rightly so, we also want to spotlight this decision as a far more reasonable, supportive measure than the 2.8% for students in England, and challenge the Westminster government to follow this good example.” If you are struggling with your mental health or wellbeing, Student Space is here to help. Whether it’s your mental health, your studies, money, housing or relationships, we’re here to support you. Are you struggling with the cost of living crisis? Head over to our Cost of Living Hub to find support, resources to help create change and more information about the current climate students are facing. Last week, the National Union of Students (NUS) published a report following an investigation into allegations of antisemitism within the organisation. The report highlights a historic, institutional culture within NUS which has alienated Jewish students and led to them being harassed, abused and dismissed over many years. We are saddened, disappointed, and frustrated to read about the experiences of Jewish students within our higher education community, and recognise that we must all do more to tackle antisemitism.
It is clear from the report that this independent investigation has been thorough and robust, and has sought to understand the nuanced perspectives of students, staff, elected representatives and other stakeholders. We welcome the considered approach taken and the commitment shown to highlighting the reality, scale and impact of this issue. Student Minds would like to express gratitude in particular to the Jewish students and staff who have shared their experiences openly and bravely during this investigation, in order to create change. The report highlights that over the years, NUS has on numerous occasions had the opportunity to take the issue of antisemitism seriously and to take action in tackling it. It is frustrating to see that on each occasion, NUS failed to do this effectively. This has resulted in further harm for Jewish students, who have not been adequately supported or represented in the face of discrimination. While saddened to read these experiences, we welcome them being brought to light and considered recommendations being given to the NUS. The recommendations and action plan set out in the report and accompanying documents are a welcome step in ensuring NUS, and the sector more widely, become inclusive, welcoming spaces for Jewish students. We do however also recognise that each recommendation and action requires long-term commitment, learning, resource and support in order for the necessary cultural change to be achieved. Student Minds will continuously reflect on the progress being made and consider our own role, responsibility and influence in supporting this. Student Minds unequivocally condemns antisemitism in all of its forms and recognises the role that all organisations have in challenging it. We know that recognising and tackling antisemitism isn’t just the responsibility of NUS, but the higher education sector as a whole. This includes our own organisation. We will continue to work actively to become an anti-racist organisation, including furthering our work to better understand the experiences of Jewish students and how we can help to tackle antisemitism. There is a lot to be learned from this report, and we hope that our colleagues in universities and students’ unions will join us in working together to listen to Jewish students and take a whole-sector approach in tackling antisemitism in our communities. We look forward to seeing change in our sector and improvements in the experiences of Jewish students. Support for Jewish students The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) represents and supports Jewish students across the country. Explore the work that they do and their resources on their website. Jewish students can also access direct, tailored support with Jami through a variety of different methods. Find out more about their services. Student Space is here to help students through the challenges of university life. Use our University Support Search tool to see what services are available at your university. Yesterday, the government announced details of the financial support available to higher education students in the 2023/24 academic year. Despite the ongoing cost of living crisis, high rates of inflation, and increased reports of students experiencing financial hardship, the maximum student maintenance loan will increase by just 2.8%. The same increase will also apply to maximum Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), grants for student parents and carers, and some postgraduate loans. These changes are on top of the real-term cuts made in 2022/23, which have not been addressed in this announcement, and which saw financial support for students reach a seven-year low.
This is simply not enough. The risks to students’ mental health are clear. The current economic situation is already resulting in students making difficult decisions to support themselves financially, including skipping meals, missing lectures, taking out new debt, and/or engaging in precarious or risky behaviours to earn money. Our latest research, conducted in November 2022, shows that 83 percent of students were concerned about the current cost of living crisis, and 60 percent said their wellbeing was negatively impacted by their financial situation. As reported by the Russell Group, this 2.8% increase means that undergraduate students will lose out on £1500 due to the inaccurate inflation forecasts used to calculate maintenance loans over the past two years. As these errors have not been addressed by the government in this announcement, cuts to support have become ‘baked in’, meaning that future students will also face the impacts of these cuts. The government has also announced an additional £15 million in funding for universities to provide hardship support to students struggling with their finances. However, that £15m, or around £5 per current student, is not enough to provide the support needed by students up and down the country. The relationship between financial wellbeing and mental health is well-evidenced. The government must revise this decision and act now to provide adequate support for university students, by ensuring maintenance loans are increased in-line with actual inflation rates since 2020/21. Without this support, students will continue to face financial hardship, with their mental health, physical health and academic success all at a heightened risk. We also support calls from other organisations in our sector for a review of the current maintenance loans system, to protect students in the future. This includes ensuring future loan amounts are in-line with actual, rather than forecasted, inflation; revising the parental earnings threshold; and considering the re-introduction of maintenance grants. Are you struggling with the cost of living crisis? Head over to our Cost of Living Hub to find support, resources to help create change and more information about the current climate students are facing. At Student Minds, we are delighted to celebrate the first wave of institutions who put themselves forward for the University Mental Health Charter Award assessments. Pursuing the Award is a statement of a university's commitment to improvement and development of better practice in university mental health.
In Autumn 2019, we published the University Mental Health Charter (UMHC) after a year of development alongside thousands of students and members of staff across the country. With a focus on a whole university approach, the Charter sets out a number of principles of good practice to help universities to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of their communities. Then in 2020, we launched the University Mental Health Charter Programme, a place for university members to come together, share good practice and receive guidance in applying for the Award. Institutions are able to apply for the Award assessment process at any stage while a member of the programme. To date the majority of universities on the programme are still to start their assessment process. With 60 institutions committing to creating cultural change in this year’s programme, we are excited that a number of these universities have been through the Award process and we are able to announce the first group of universities to achieve Award status. Applications for the Award are assessed by a team of peer assessors with expertise and extensive experience of working and studying in the sector. Each Assessment Team contains qualified clinicians, higher education academics, professionals, and students. The UMHC award assessment is a robust process of evaluation aimed at:
Following the assessment, every university is provided with a detailed report highlighting good and excellent practice and recommending further actions each university can take to continue to improve their whole university approach. Gaining a Charter Award is a recognition of the journey universities have travelled so far, in developing their approach to mental health and wellbeing. We are pleased to announce that the following universities have received the Award this time round:
These awards are a demonstration of genuine commitment, hard work and investment on the part of these universities and the staff and students who have worked together to reach this milestone. They can be rightly proud of their achievements to date. It is important to note that achieving an Award is a symbol of progress, it does not mean that those receiving an Award are perfect, or that every student or member of staff will have good experiences within that institution yet. Those receiving their Award today, are doing so because they have made an ongoing commitment to continual improvement and have been able to demonstrate significant and genuine progress towards a whole university approach, in line with the Charter Framework. To maintain their Awards or to achieve a higher level award, all of these institutions will have to continue to build on this progress. There is work still to be done. There is also still work to be done across the sector. There are two higher levels of Award (merit and distinction), which no university has yet achieved. We look forward to the day when we announce the first universities to gain these levels of award. Congratulations to these institutions. We are proud of everything they have achieved and the hard work they will do to create change and improve the mental health and wellbeing of their student and staff communities. Thank you to everyone who made the assessment process possible. The Charter Programme is gradually ensuring the sector is working with a shared language and understanding of mental health and wellbeing, and towards a shared vision for the future. We hope the courageous example set by our first batch of universities will inspire other institutions to join the Charter Programme next year. In the UK the cost-of-living crisis runs deep in every community and is having a significant impact on mental health.
High levels of inflation affect everyone as the price of necessities including food and energy increase. However, the impact is not felt equally. We know those already experiencing inequality, poverty and hardship are being hardest hit. And poverty is the single biggest driver of poor mental health in children. We also know that people living in the most deprived 10% of areas in the UK are more than twice as likely to die from suicide than those living in the wealthiest 10% of areas. In 2022 the Trussell Trust who provide emergency support to people in crisis issued 1.3 million food parcels between April and September. 94% of people accessing emergency food parcels are experiencing destitution. That means they are well below the poverty line and cannot afford the essentials to eat, stay warm and dry, and keep clean. This should worry us all. It is a shameful and unnecessary situation in the UK. As leaders of mental health organisations there is growing demand for our services. We will, of course, continue to do our absolute best to provide the necessary support. But we want to be crystal clear: the first intervention to reduce mental ill health and prevent suicide is to ensure every household has the means to be safe and warm with enough to eat. We urge the Prime Minister to act with speed and compassion to tackle the root causes of destitution and in doing so prevent suicide and an inevitable rise in mental ill health. Julie Bentley, Samaritans Simon Blake OBE, Mental Health First Aid England Sophie Corlett, Mind Brian Dow, Mental Health UK Sean Duggan OBE, Mental Health Network, NHS Confederation Akiko Hart, National Survivor User Network Victoria Hornby OBE, Mental Health Innovations Dr Sarah Hughes, Centre for Mental Health Poppy Jaman OBE, MindForward Alliance Dr Adrian James, Royal College of Psychiatrists Tom Madders, Young Minds Chris Martin, The Mix Paula Ojok, Helplines Partnership Kathy Roberts, Association of Mental Health Providers Catherine Roche, Place2Be Mark Rowland, Mental Health Foundation Michael Samuel MBE, Anna Freud Centre Rosie Tressler OBE, Student Minds Mark Winstanley, Rethink Mental Illness |
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