Building on our wellbeing work with the University Mental Health Charter

The University of Essex is proud to continue to be part of the University Mental Health Charter Programme led by UK charity Student Minds as we strive to improve support for our students and staff.

The University of Essex is proud to continue to be part of the University Mental Health Charter Programme led by UK charity Student Minds as we strive to improve support for our students and staff.

This is the second year that Essex is taking part in the programme, which is based on a set of evidence-informed principles which support universities across the UK in making mental health a university-wide priority.

The Charter Programme brings together 58 universities committed to working towards these principles to share practice and create cultural change. This includes a commitment to working with staff and students to provide adequately resourced and effective support services, as well as creating an environment and culture that reduces poor mental health and promotes good mental health for the whole university community.

Head of Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Danielle Booth said: “We need to make sure we give our community the chance to discuss difficult subjects and ensure that students and staff are encouraged to seek help and advice when they need it.

“The University Mental Health Charter Programme gives us the right framework for taking positive action on these issues and connects us with a network of universities who are committed to using the latest evidence to improve the support available.”

Find out more about the University Mental Health Charter Programme

The 58 universities on the Charter Programme form part of a UK-wide practice sharing network with access to events and opportunities to come together to improve their whole university approach to student and staff mental health. Programme members can also work towards the Charter Award, an accreditation scheme which recognises universities that demonstrate excellent practice.

Student Minds said: “From our own research, we have found that one in three students find being at university negatively impacts their mental health, with one in four students having a diagnosed mental health issue.

“A variety of issues are negatively impacting student mental health such as loneliness, the cost of living and the ongoing impact of COVID-19. It is vital that we continue to build on the great work universities have already done in the past two years on the Programme, continue to learn from one another and make mental health and wellbeing a priority right across higher education.”

The Charter Programme was developed in consultation with staff and students, with initial funding from the UPP Foundation and the Office for Students and further funding from Jisc and the Charlie Watkins Foundation.

The University of Derby, Hartpury University and Glasgow Caledonian University, supported the pilot programme in 2020. Other universities in the eastern region who are part of the University Mental Health Charter Programme include Anglia Ruskin University and University of East Anglia.