21 st March 1971 Imperial College Nightline established in South West London The reason for establishment of Nightline – three student suicides in – first Nightline Service established at Essex University West London Nightline gradually expanded to a London-wide Service 1985 Steering Committee established 1990 Nightline moved to ULU becoming London Nightline at ULU Currently London Nightline consists of 34 Colleges/Universities and 23 Students Unions Funding – 30p per full-time capita contribution from Colleges/Universities; 10p per capita from Students Unions

Structure Coordinator runs Nightline Answerable to Board of Trustees and Steering Committee Helped by Executive Committee of Volunteers Patrons

Significant Developments 1993 – Nightline achieved charitable status 1993 – Post of Coordinator made Full-time and salary linked to a Student Union sabbatical 1999 – Obtained Quality Standard of Telephone Helplines Association 2000 – Introduction of Listening 2009 – Online Listening Service established

Figure 1: Number of Calls per Day: September – May for the last three years (allowing for the different number of days for which the lines are open each month)

Figure 2: Total Call Time per Day (in minutes): September - May for the last three years (allowing for the different number of days for which the lines are open each month)

Figure 3: Call topics - September 2009 – May 2010

Figure 4: Number of s: September – May for the last three years

Figure 5: Topics: September 2009 – May 2010

Figure 7: Total Number of Online Listening Calls: September 2009 – May 2010

Figure 8: Total Online Listening Call Time per Day (in minutes): September 2009 – May 2010 (allowing for the different number of days for which the lines are open each month)

Figure 9: Online Listening Topics: September 2009 – May 2010

Figure 10: Percentage of Caller Institutions Known: September 2009 – May 2010

Figure 11: Known Caller Institutions (5% of all callers): September 2009 – May 2010

Organisation and Training Recruitment of Volunteers – per year Pre-selection training sessions Appraisal volunteers selected Selected volunteer training throughout the year Volunteers do 12 duties per year

Support and Debriefing for Volunteers Calls confidential between caller and Nightline not volunteer Support and de-briefing offered after disturbing calls All volunteers have a support buddy Coordinator on call 24 hours a day during term time

Why is the Service Needed 2003 – Report of Royal College of Psychiatrists on ‘The Mental Health of Students in Higher Education’ Increasing numbers due to a significant growth in student numbers and increasing access to HE Growing rates of mental health problems among young people generally

Contributing factors to increase Major life changes – leaving home and culture Psychological developmental issues may be related to a fear of growing up A need to cope with the academic and social commitments to university life A loss of external structure may expose a weak internal structure

Results Anxiety may lead to a breakdown, dropping out, excessive drinking, drug taking, hectic social/sexual life Or over-diligent studying Uncertainty about the purpose of university, who they are, what they want Rebellion against parental/authority figures Unconscious purposes of academic failure

Additional Problems encountered by students The effects of widening participation Students with physical/psychological disabilities Socio-economic factors Mature students Financial problems Learning is an emotional as well as a cognitive experience

Comments “Fantastic service. Slightly frustrating not being able to ask for an opinion on things. However I can appreciate why you can’t. I thought the online chat service is the best, the anonymity of online chat made me feel much more free to talk about issues”. “I am really glad that there are students out there volunteering their services on this line. With help from Nightline, students like me who have little peer support on certain issues can find a listening ear, and that makes problems easier to deal with.” “Incredibly helpful, the most polite help you’ll probably get at ridiculous o’clock in the morning”. “The person on the phone was very friendly and listened well as I do tend to go on about things a lot. Overall I was very satisfied with the service provided.” “Very good listeners. Non-jugdmental. They are doing great work. Highly recommend to anyone in need.”