WGPlus (Archive)
Bright but in a strange / new environment |
A new taskforce has been set up by Education Secretary Damian Hinds to support students to deal with the challenges that starting university can include to preserve their mental health. On University Mental Health Day (7 March), Mr Hinds announced that the new taskforce will look at how students moving from sixth-form or college to university can be better supported in their crucial first year, building on the work already underway across the sector to improve support for student mental health. It follows work by the Department for Education to identify 4 key areas of risk that can affect the mental health of people going to university. These are:
Members of the new taskforce – which will be known as the Education Transitions Network – will develop measures to help people make a smooth transition into higher education and help students maintain good mental health. The network will firstly look at ‘what works’ to help students handle the challenges of moving into higher education and spread good practice from examples of initiatives, such as the University of Huddersfield’s award-winning Flying Start inductions and the University of Portsmouth’s Welcome Ambassadors project, Student Minds’ Transitions and Know Before You Go, as well as measures developed through the Office for Students’ Challenge Competition projects. |
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DfE: Government creates new student mental health taskforce WAG: £2m to improve mental health & well-being at Welsh universities ScotGov: More support for student wellbeing Further intervention on student mental health Tips for teachers – talking about mental health in the classroom PM pledges action on suicide to mark World Mental Health Day New package of measures announced on student mental health Mental Health Awareness Week: Supporting students manage their mental wellbeing and exam workload Universities receive £1.5m to support mental health & wellbeing for postgraduate research students IPPR: Colleges are struggling to find ways to cope with increased demand for mental health support |