Mental health of students in higher education

College Report CR166University of Ulster: suicide awareness trainingWithin student support, two members of staff are trained to deliver appliedsuicide intervention skills training (ASIST). A programme of deliveringthis training to staff and those who work to provide one-to-one supportto students with disabilities (note-takers, study skills coaches, campusassistants, etc.) has been running at the university over the past 2 years.Feedback from the training to date has been very positive, although it canoften be difficult to get participants to commit to the required 2 days.University of Teeside: exercise and mental healthWe were the first UK university to develop ‘Lightening Your Load’, wherewe recognised the significant contribution physical and recreational activitycan make in maintaining positive mental health. The Lightening Your Loadprogramme was developed with the express intention of building on thisimportant link. Our staff are trained to provide appropriate advice andguidance on what is available in a professional and sensitive manner. Weare linked with the sport and recreational team and offer a combination ofcounselling and physical/recreational activity. Some of our goals are to:promote a sense of well-being for the body and mindencourage exercise, physical activity and recreation as a form of selfhelphelp raise confidence, self-esteem and energy levelspromote a sense of belonging and participation in the life of theuniversity.This year we have extended this further and piloted our first group with‘adventure therapy’. This involves taking a group of students away for a dayof outdoor activities with our mental health advisor, sport and recreationalstaff and a counsellor.Leeds Trinity and All Saints College: exercise andmental healthDuring the academic year 2006/2007 the counselling service at Leeds Trinityand All Saints College established links with the university sports centre toencourage clients with mental health issues to engage in physical activity asan additional means of managing some of their symptoms. We recognisedthat although enabling students to access the facilities at a reduced cost viaour referral route was useful, some students needed more input to maximisethe potential benefits that physical activity could offer them. Some found ithard to continue with their exercise programmes because of low motivationor feelings of self-consciousness when exercising alone.This year, the service liaised with the sports development officer andthe sports centre manager to find a volunteer who could be trained to offeran ‘exercise buddy’ service to students with mental health issues wanting toengage in regular exercise. One of the counsellors provided some training88 http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk