The Elephant Has Left the Room Students and Mental Health Difficulties Dr Louise Cotton

Content: Introduction Background to the research The pilot project Aims Findings Limitations What Next ?

Queen Margaret University Small campus university S.E Edinburgh Student population 6,294* QMU student distribution by origin* *As at 2014-15

Background to the Research Widening participation context Reported rise in student mental health issues Lack of research in this area QMU Student Experience Strategy 2015-20 QMU/QMUSU Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy launched 2016.

Main aims : To find out if QMU Students: i) experience mental health issues akin to the wider student population ii) are less likely to seek help at a smaller university iii) are aware of the range of support services and resources available to them.

Results: 100 Students completed the survey 86.6 % female , 19-29 age group (77.6%), FT UG School of Health Sciences (62.7%) , UK origin (65.7%) 85.4% reported experiencing a mental health difficulty as a student More than half declaring a formal diagnosis

Type of mental health difficulty experienced (n=100)

Impact on academic life (n=100)

‘Other’ Effects of Mental Health Difficulties: Loss of interest and motivation Poor performance and lower grades ‘I spend more time crying over my coursework and having panic attacks about deadlines than I do studying’.

Who do you talk to? Reasons for non-disclosure: Most students reported speaking to someone at QMU (62.5%) Reasons for non-disclosure: Not knowing who to speak to (25%) Shame or embarrassment (22.5%) Fear of being judged (17.5%)

Support services used, known or not known Conventional resources counselling, disability services, effective learning services - all recognised and well-used. Mindfulness training, QMU Mentoring, QMUSU Support Zone, Stay on Course and Mental Health First Aid – all under used.

QMU/QMUSU Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy 86% of students had not heard of this

Summary: Students at smaller institutions just as vulnerable to mental health issues Changing student demographics – need for more pre-emptive measures Lesser known services should be better advertised/promoted This would ease on oversubscribed traditional services where more likely to be longer waiting times

Limitations of the Study ? Small number of participants Participants were self selecting Launch of survey clashed with NSS Survey was ‘live’ for short window BUT some common themes in terms of types of distress (anxiety and stress)and lack of awareness of what is available.

Next Stage ? Launch survey to new undergraduate student intake 2017/18 Focus on widening participation and implications Refine the survey – specifically ‘transition’ Launch end of Semester 1 for longer Run focus group (s)

Thank you for listening