HEA PVC Conference Student Mental Wellbeing: Trends and challenges in student mental health Ruth Caleb Head of Counselling Brunel University London Chair of the Mental Wellbeing in HE Working Group (UUK / GuildHE

What is Good Mental Health? ‘Mental health encompasses emotional resilience to enable us to enjoy life and survive pain, disappointment and sadness, and an underlying belief in our own, and others’, dignity and worth. It also allows us to engage productively in and contribute to society and our community.’ MWBHE / UUK Student Mental Wellbeing in HE Good Practice Guide

Trends within universities Student numbers have grown but the resources for services to cope with this have not. Support services have seen a large increase in clients, especially students with serious and complex mental health problems. Students are now customers and more demanding. Specialist NHS mental health services, such as eating disorder clinics and psychological therapies, are being cut or even closed, and waiting lists for psychiatric assessments and psychological therapy are growing. But an increasing proportion are suffering from stress, depression or other mental health conditions. The proportion of students declaring a mental health condition increased from 0.4%(9,675) in 2007-08 to 1.3%(29,375) in 2013-14. Many students prefer not to disclose mental ill health, so these figures are a likely to be a considerable underestimate. Student numbers are growing but the resources for services to cope with this are not. University support services have seen a large increase in clients, especially students with serious and complex mental health problems. Specialist mental health services, such as eating disorder clinics and psychological therapies, are being cut or even closed, and waiting lists for psychiatric assessments and psychological therapy are growing.

Challenges faced by today’s students Students are under a great deal of pressure to get a good degree. They arrive already concerned by media references to them as the ‘lost generation’ with limited chance of a successful career, and read about a ‘mental health crisis in HE students’. Financial strain means that a high proportion need to work long hours, often taking low-paid but flexible jobs. There are increasing external problems that interfere with their wellbeing including mental ill health and divorce rates. There is a rise in the number of international and widening participation students who may have particular challenges. Students are often separated from their usual support and networks including their local NHS mental health practitioners.

A whole university approach for student mental wellbeing Student mental wellbeing in HE: Good Practice Guide Legal considerations Policy development and processes Support and guidance structures Raising awareness and training Download the Guide: http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/policy-and- analysis/reports/Documents/2015/student-mental-wellbeing-in-he.pdf

Legal considerations The law is largely untested in the courts and is continuously evolving. The student contract and publicity must deliver what they offer. So if it outlines pastoral and academic support, it has to demonstrate what this means. Statutory obligations: Contract and Consumer Law Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) Equality Act (2010) Human Rights Act (1998) Data Protection Act (1998)

Mental Health Policy Development A commitment to mental wellbeing and the support for students with mental health issues A commitment to raising staff and student awareness about mental health and wellbeing A commitment to supportive partnerships in the community The policy should be the starting point leading to the development of procedural frameworks including: Fitness to study procedure Mitigating circumstances procedure Crisis intervention Returning to study Guide for staff to support students who are disturbed or distressed. A commitment to

Student mental health and wellbeing: Whose responsibility? Student services and wellbeing teams University staff Students (including NUS) Community partners Family and friends NHS Senior management group ‘This is not simply your problem, it is everybody’s problem’ Professor Julia Buckingham, VC and President, Brunel University London

How universities support student mental wellbeing Welfare support team Counselling service Disability service Mental health advice Chaplaincy Buddying and peer mentoring (residence and academic) Personal tutor system Financial and practical advice Groups and workshops Online support Security Service - 24 hours, every day of the year

Raising awareness and training Challenge stigma at every level, including senior management and students themselves. Mental wellbeing needs to be supported throughout student life – not just induction for freshers. Consider making mental health awareness training normative, if not mandatory. Publicity is crucial.

Being Proactive Wellbeing Initiatives for Staff and Students

Ruth.Caleb@brunel.ac.uk