Students Leading Change on Campus Student Mental Health – Where Next?

By the end of the session you will; Be able to describe student led initiatives Identify ways to support students working on mental health projects Recognise best practice across the sector Identify barriers to engaging students and other members of the university community in mental health projects Objectives

Why can’t staff do it? Where is the value in students leading change? Why does student-led matter?

Students have a tendency to “confide in and seek help from peers.” (1) Talking to students who have faced similar experiences is seen as more attractive than the more traditional “peer-mentor” approach. Empowering, leads to future volunteering in MH, changing attitudes of volunteers (1) The mental health of students in higher education (Council report CRI12). 2003, Royal College of Psychiatrists Why does student-led matter?

Mental Wealth Groups and Think Positive: Initiatives for the 1 in 4 and 4 in 4 Successful Student – Led Campaigning

Mental Wealth Groups Think Positive Ambassadors Successful Student Led Campaigning on Campus

Mental Wealth: Elephant in the Room Campaign Oxford’s ‘Mind Your Head’ events: Social Contact Cambridge Mental Health Week Think Positive: Healthy Body Healthy Mind Awards Themed months of campaign work designed by students Behaviour Change

Examples of affecting university policies / procedures Think Positive: Student Mental Health Agreements Mental Wealth: Student Representation on Committees e.g. Westminster, Cardiff ( Strategy / Training) Healthy Universities model Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid training staff and students Creating Institutional Change

Leeds Student Health and Wellbeing Partnership Multi-agency group, includes Welfare Officer’s “to improve access for students to services.” Student Minds – Transitions Report (Oct 2013) NUS - Work on commissioning next term Influencing Local Services

Other Student – led Initiatives A range of interventions, support and options

Alliance for Student Wellbeing The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust The Matthew Elvidge Trust James Wentworth-Stanley Memorial Fund Nightline Student Minds (peer support programmes) Students Against Depression Open Minds

How do we achieve a ‘whole institution approach to wellbeing’? How do we engage all members of the university community? Activity

What are the barriers to involvement in mental health initiatives for Students Academics Student Support Staff External Organisations? Activity

What solutions are there to the barriers that have been identified? Students Academics Student Support Staff External Organisations Activity

What are you doing already? Who are the key players to include across your institution? Are students currently involved? Has your university thought about peer-led initiatives? Who do you need to talk to? Please keep us updated on your progress! Laura Caven Rosie Tressler Next Steps