The demographics
of the student population have changed enormously over the past
decade. Overall student numbers have grown, more students are
entering higher education from socially and culturally-diverse
backgrounds, and there are growing numbers of international
students. Social changes such as the withdrawal of financial
support, higher rates of family breakdown and, more recently,
economic recession all have an impact on the mental health and
well-being of students. As such, many counsellors and mental health
advisors in universities are reporting increased demand from
students for their services.
Most higher education institutions have
sophisticated pastoral and counselling services in place, however,
in many universities the provision of services has not kept pace
with expanding student numbers – leaving existing services
overstretched. They are supported by local NHS services, although
NHS mental health provision for students is variable. The report
discusses how the efforts of NHS services and those provided by
higher education institutions can be better coordinated.
The report makes a series of 14 key
recommendations and provides practical help to those who wish to
improve the care and treatment of mentally troubled students. It
will assist higher education institutions and others who are
seeking to establish policies and procedures for the prevention of
mental disorders.
This report updates and replaces report CR112,
of the same title, from 2003.
Contents
- Executive summary and recommendations
- Introduction
- Mental disorder in students
- Higher education context
- Pathways to psychiatric care
- What to do if a psychiatric patient is moving
to university
- Mental health issues faced by international
students
- Medical and other healthcare students with
mental disorder
- References
Appendices
- Examples of collaboration between the NHS and
higher education institutions
- Internal liaison within higher education
institutions
- Different models of psychiatric
provision
- An account of the work of a university
psychiatrist
- University general practice – University of
Sheffield health service
- Initiatives from counselling services
- Northampton Assessment Centre form
- Universities UK/GuildHE Working Group for the
Promotion of Mental Well-Being in Higher Education