Universities Pledge to do More to Improve Mental Health and Wellbeing of Students

Universities UK has published a new framework aimed at improving the mental health and well-being of university students studying in the UK.

The Step Change framework ­is aimed at supporting university leaders, embedding good mental health practice across all university activities.

The framework recommends that:

• Universities work closely with the NHS to consider how mental health care services should be commissioned and delivered to student populations. Working in close partnership with parents, schools and colleges, as well as with employers and businesses.
• Students and staff are encouraged to talk about mental health without fear of stigmatization.
• Staff and students know how to support others suffering from poor mental-health and access support for themselves, both within their university and the wider community.

Professor Steve West, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of England and chair of Universities UK's Working Group on Mental Health in Higher Education said: "Mental health matters to universities. University leaders care about their students and staff. We want to help them to thrive and succeed as well as to support them through mental health challenges.

"We can be proud of the work that higher education institutions do on mental health, the services they provide, the impact they have on those in distress or difficulties. We want to capture these positive activities, but also ensure that our response to this growing challenge is the right one."

"This framework is about getting universities to think about mental health and wellbeing across all their activities and people. From students to academics and support staff. From teaching and research to accommodation and relations with local communities. The step change in student mental health begins here."

Find out more about the framework at http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/policy-and-analysis/stepchange or search #stepchange on social media.