Mental health of students in higher education

Appendix 1Examples of collaboration betweenthe NHS and higher educationinstitutionsUniversity of LeedsA unique relationship exists between universities in Leeds and LeedsPrimary Care Trust. The Trust has a senior health improvement specialistfor students, who coordinates liaison with universities. As a result,the Leeds Student Health Needs Assessment, which makes a series ofrecommendations regarding student mental health, was published in 2006.The Trust provides a focused learning and self-help clinic to the universitywhich offers a drop-in and one-to-one advice and guidance using cognitive–behavioural principles. This is offered one afternoon per week at the studentcounselling centre.There is now a Leeds student mental health group which hasrepresentatives from the three universities, student unions, Leeds PrimaryCare Trust and the community mental health team (CMHT). This group ischaired by the head of the student counselling centre at the University ofLeeds and is developing the liaison between NHS services and universities,and providing an opportunity to establish working relationships, referralagreements and good practice guidelines.There is also a close relationship between Leeds University and localGPs, particularly the Leeds student medical practice, which has over 30 000student registrations. In addition to health services, the student medicalpractice is available for consultation, referral and training; it also providesrelevant documentation for students.For further information about responses to student mental healthneeds in Leeds see, the Leeds Student Health Needs Assessment on www.leeds.nhs.uk (search for student) or see Humphrys (2009).Oxford Student Mental Health Network (OSMHN)Since 2000, there has been an active partnership between Oxford BrookesUniversity, the University of Oxford, Oxford and Cherwell Valley College,Oxford City Primary Care Trust and Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire MentalHealthcare NHS Foundation Trust to improve communication about, and72 http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk