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