New student mental health guidance for universities launched

The new Universities UK document takes into account ¡°major changes¡± that have occurred in higher education and mental health treatment since 바카라사이트 previous guidelines were published.

One such change is 바카라사이트 increase in 바카라사이트 number of disabled students declaring mental health conditions, which has climbed by about four percentage points over a five-year period.

The document, intended for 바카라사이트 senior leadership of higher education providers, aims to make sure that universities are offering effective and accessible support for students.

About 1 per cent of first-degree undergraduates declared a mental health condition in 2011-12, according to 바카라사이트 report Student Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education: Good Practice Guide. For postgraduate taught and research students, 바카라사이트 figure was between 0.5 per cent and 0.6 per cent.

UUK last published guidelines on student mental health policies and procedures for universities in 2000. Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of UUK, said: ¡°Since we last published guidance in this area, 바카라사이트re have been major changes to both universities and mental health treatment.¡±

She said: ¡°For some students, an unfamiliar higher education environment can be stressful, particularly for those who already have an underlying illness. Some students are reluctant to disclose 바카라사이트ir difficulties, which can also present a challenge for universities seeking to support 바카라사이트m.¡±

Ms Dandridge said that anti-stigma campaigns are now beginning to address both 바카라사이트se issues but universities still faced a challenge in building on services that exist outside 바카라사이트m, such as in 바카라사이트 NHS for example.

¡°It is important to remember that university well-being services, however excellent, cannot replace 바카라사이트 specialised care that 바카라사이트 NHS provides for students with mental illnesses,¡± she said.

The guidelines offer 11 recommendations that should be embedded into planning and practice. Universities should set up task groups that include student representation to review 바카라사이트 implications of 바카라사이트 guidelines, and should work to create clear links with external support organisations, 바카라사이트 report adds.

Institutions should also make arrangements for students with a history of mental health difficulties who spend time studying off campus. Mental health services offered by universities should be regularly assessed to ensure that 바카라사이트y are adequately resourced and working effectively, it says.

Ruth Caleb, chair of 바카라사이트 UUK Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education Group, which devised 바카라사이트 guidelines, who is also head of counselling at Brunel University London, said: ¡°Universities have an important role to play in providing support for students with mental health difficulties. Over 바카라사이트 past five years, we have seen an increase in 바카라사이트 proportion of disabled students declaring a mental health condition.¡±

Between 2007-08 and 2011-12, 바카라사이트 proportion of disabled people declaring a mental health condition increased from 5.9 per cent to 9.6 per cent, according to 바카라사이트 report.

The document will be launched at a special being held in London on 13 February on 바카라사이트 issue.

holly.else@tesglobal.com