The invisible problem? Improving students’ mental health

The University of Oxford have a Peer Support Programme
where students can undertake 30 hours of training from
qualified peer support trainers. As a result, each college
within the university has a network of trained students who
fellow students can go to with any problems. Peer-to-peer
support is important. In a survey of 1,442 students by the
Equality Challenge Unit, 75 per cent of those with a mental
health problem had shared this with another student. 68
In the autumn of 2013, UWE Bristol launched a model where
students receive a 90 minute solution-focused alternative
to further support from the Wellbeing service, known as a
therapeutic consultation. This is followed up with an email
detailing helpful resources. A wide range of workshops on
exam stress, depression, anxiety, bereavement and selfesteem
among others are frequently offered. The model has
resulted in reduced waiting lists and better outcomes for
students. This approach is positive as it recognises the need
to encourage students to manage their own wellbeing and
mental health. Support needs to be practical and encourage
independence.
Brunel University have a Security Service that is available 24
hours a day and plays an important pastoral role. Students
are encouraged to contact them if it is out of hours for other
university support services. By encouraging this use of
internal support at all times, it means someone within the
university is aware that a student is unwell and can provide
the necessary help and monitoring, which confidentiality
laws would mean is not always the case if external services
are contacted instead.
36 The invisible problem? Improving students’ mental health