University Mental Health Day
THE Trust joined with universities around the country to mark University Mental Health Day on 5 March 2020. There are over 2.3 million students studying in UK universities, with many experiencing academic, social and financial pressures.
Supporting Students
John McClean, a specialist mental health worker based at New City College in Hackney, sees the pressures students are under. His role is to support students with existing mental health issues to get the most out of the college experience and cope with the demands of student life.
He also supports those who develop mental health problems to access the right support and help at an early stage.
John says,
“Going to college or university is a life-changing time when students leave home, discover new places, make new friends, have new experiences and enjoy the freedom and liberty of independent living. That’s what the prospectus’ say and for many, it is an uplifting experience that they will carry with them for life. Away from the foundations of home, family and friends, and feeling out of their depth, some students can really struggle and feel isolated, lonely, anxious and worries can be overwhelming.”
University Mental Health Day is run jointly by Student Minds and the University Mental Health Advisers Network (UMHAN).
They note that students get a poor press these days described as either ‘generation snowflake’ or ‘vulnerable young people in crisis’, neither of which appreciates the complexity of the problem, nor helps students experiencing difficulties themselves.
Many students leave university due to mental health difficulties; and tragically there have been a number of student deaths by suicide so University Mental Health Day aims to shine a light on mental health issues in the student population.