Learning / mental health
UWE Bristol announce plans to put mental health first
In a decision that aims to spark national changes within the university sector, Vice-Chancellor of UWE Bristol Professor Steve West has announced plans to place a special strategic focus on mental health provision for students and staff, with a commitment for at least the next five years.
Currently undergoing an audit of all the 200+ mental health and wellbeing initiatives ongoing at UWE Bristol, West told Bristol24/7 that the bold statement of Mental Wealth First is designed to create “a step change” and “unlock thinking” within the university sector. The news comes in the week that the government released a green paper, outlining plans to transform mental health provision for children and young people.
“Universities should be proud of the work they are already doing to support young people with their mental health and wellbeing needs, but we know there is more to be done to address this growing issue,” said West. “Mental health and wellbeing is the business of everybody. We all have a duty to look after each other, and we hope to bring that into a space so that people feel comfortable with having conversations about mental health.”
is needed now More than ever
West is the chair of Universities UK’s Working Group on Mental Health in Higher Education, who released their Step Change Framework in September 2017, which aims to address the issue of poor mental health amongst students by embedding good practice in every one of the UK’s 138 universities.
UWE Bristol will be one of three institutions, along with Cardiff University and the University of York, to trial this new way of approaching the issue of student mental health.
The SAM Anxiety app, developed at UWE Bristol, has had more than a million downloads
For several years, UWE Bristol have taken a number of forward-thinking approaches to student mental health care, including the development of the SAM Anxiety app, which has been downloaded over a million times in over 100 countries, and through pilot scheme Kooth Student, an online counselling service, available until 10pm, where students can access support.
The Mental Wealth First commitment could be the beginning of major positive changes for students, who are often at the sharp end of mental health issues as multiple stressors combine, including moving away from stable social support, peer pressure and a culture of risky behaviour.
Professor West said he hoped to see students declaring their mental health concerns at the point of application, and wanted to ensure investment in effective evidence-based interventions that are joined-up with NHS services and other provision across Bristol. “Mental health can be difficult for universities to address because it can seem very negative. But it’s about looking at whole-person health,” West continued. “We are pretty complex as humans. We want to build resilience and understanding in individuals and not just put them in boxes.”
Read more: How the University of Bristol and UWE Bristol are working hard to support students’ wellbeing
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