QMU University and Students’ Union - Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022 - 2027

Introduction

At QMU we acknowledge that, while it is exciting being at university, it can come with a variety of stresses, including the pressure to succeed academically, learning in a new environment, studying away from home and financial difficulties that can affect students’ health and wellbeing. Over recent years, we have seen an increase in students experiencing mental health difficulties. Following the isolation that many experienced during the Covid pandemic we are also recognising the challenges students might find in returning to campus and in person learning, as well as building new relationships and friendships.

The University and Students’ Union have worked in partnership to develop a Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy that demonstrates a commitment to student mental health and wellbeing embedded within a whole university student experience.

The Strategy is informed by the Scottish Government Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027² and is taking steps towards a whole University approach to student mental health as guided by Universities UK Step Change – Mentally Healthy Universities Report 2020³. It aligns itself with the QMU Strategy and Student Experience Strategy and supports QMU’s strategic plan for being a wellbeing university. QMU and the Students’ Union are committed to equality and diversity. They deliver services and support students in respect to the Equality Act 2010 and The Public Sector Equality Duty.

Our vision is to create an environment and culture that supports health and wellbeing in order to promote and strengthen the wellbeing of all students. It is vital that we provide a system of support for student mental health and wellbeing, which is proactive, cohesive and accessible to all students.

This Strategy presents a framework of actions related to how we will Promote, Prevent and Protect our student mental health and wellbeing and work in Partnership to improve student mental health.

Defining mental health and wellbeing

Mental health refers to a full spectrum of experience ranging from good mental health to mental illness. It is a continuum with good mental health allowing us to manage challenges we may face utilising resourcefulness and strategies in order to cope. Good mental health means more than the absence of illness. It will refer to a dynamic state of internal equilibrium in which an individual experiences regular enduring positive feelings, thoughts and behaviours, can respond appropriately to normal negative emotions and situations and is able to make a positive contribution to their community.[1]

[1]Hughes, G. & Spanner, L. (2019). The University Mental Health Charter. Leeds: Student Minds

Wellbeing encompasses a wider framework, of which mental health is an integral part, but which also includes physical and social wellbeing.

QMU and The Students’ Union value the role played by the 5 ways to wellbeing in

Student mental health:

Giving - participation in community & social life, giving to & considering others

Taking Notice - Presence, grounding, self-awareness, appreciation

Learning - pursuing new challenges and learning experiences

Being Active - engagement with different forms of activity and exercise

Connect - creating & nurturing a network of relationships'

Our Commitment

We will:

Establish and maintain a culture of well-being and belonging.
Promote students in taking responsibility for their wellbeing; providing opportunities to learn, co-create and engage in wellbeing activities.
Provide flexible, person centred and relevant support to students in need.
Support the enhancement of the physical and social environment to promote improved mental health and wellbeing.
Continuously evaluate, contribute and grow our wellbeing university and our wellbeing context within the wider community

Our Objectives

PROMOTE

We will promote mental health and wellbeing activities and opportunities and embed wellbeing by using a whole university approach

PREVENT

We will improve awareness of available mental health and wellbeing support and encourage signposting and early intervention.

PROTECT

We will work together to support any student who might benefit from support related to their mental health and wellbeing.

PARTNERSHIPS

We will build and strengthen partnerships with organisations locally and nationally to develop specialised and comprehensive student support relevant to mental health and wellbeing needs.

Objectives (Promote – Prevent – Protect - Partnerships)

To achieve its aims in accordance with the set principles, this Student Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy is built upon three core areas: Promote – Prevent – Protect- Partnership and the specific objectives under each one of the core areas, namely:

Objective 1.Promote

We will use a whole university approach to promote mental health and wellbeing and ensure activities and opportunities to improve wellbeing is available to all students.

Activities	Responsible	How will we know we have been successful?
Promote healthy lifestyle choices and encourage students to look after their own mental health	All	Wellbeing promotion embedded in services delivered & across university campus
Deliver a programme of training that support students’ mental health and wellbeing, resilience, self-esteem, cognitive capacity and emotional intelligence.	Student Services Academics Students Union	Programme of events in place Number of students attending
Sustain the Residence-Life Events Programme, aimed at increasing the wellbeing of students in QMU accommodation.	Halls, WBS	Programme in place Training events Number of students attending
Support student-led and peer support projects that aim to promote wellbeing	Students’ Union	Officers/students will have been supported to lead campaigns & new initiatives
Promote the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ (connect, be active, take notice, keep learning, give) and ‘Wheel of Wellbeing’ (body, mind, spirit, people, place, planet) concepts.	Whole University approach	Promotional material on display throughout University along with opportunities to engage with 5 ways
Embed wellbeing in programmes at the curriculum level	Academic staff Schools	Wellbeing part of the curriculum

Objective 2. Prevent

We will improve awareness of available mental health and wellbeing support and encourage signposting and early intervention.

Activities	Responsible	How will we know we have been successful?
Ensure that the Stay-on-Course system supports students to stay on course and identifies students who may need support	ALL	Number of students accessing stay-on-course/WBS
Departments (Academic, Professional) across the University and the Students’ Union work closely together to offer prompt and suitable support to students facing mental ill health.	ALL	Staff are aware of mutual responsibilities and where to signpost students
Ensure students and front line staff (including academic, academically related and professional) have access to training in mental health awareness and are encouraged to access training and awareness sessions.	SU and HR, SS	Programme of training rolled out to students and staff Number of students and staff trained.Promote awareness of support services internal and external
Promote the protocol for mental health crisis intervention which is covered in the ‘Distressed student guide – a guide for staff’	Student Services & whole University	Staff across QMU aware of the protocol, promoted on staff webpages, PAT guide, sent to PL’s, Academic Administration
Provide opportunities for students to look after their mental wellbeing, through physical activity, workshops and awareness events on stress reducing activities and social events	SU, Student Services, Sport Centre, Res Life	Activities throughout the year Number of referrals, Uptake of referral Retention rates
Develop an exercise on referral scheme between SS and the Sports Centre	Wellbeing, Sport centre	Number of referrals and evaluation

Objective 3. Protect

We will work together to support any student who might benefit from support related to their mental health and wellbeing.

Activities	Responsible	How will we know we have been successful?
Following ‘Supporting Students in Distress: A Guide for University Staff’ (March 2021) processes to support students at risk.	All staff	Staff are aware of what to do in case of an emergency
Signpost/refer to additional support & resources when needed within QMU & to external organisations.	Academic staff Student Services	Students will have accessed support when needed
Support access to the University Disability service who engage and support students with specific mental health diagnosis	ALL	Staff and students will be aware of the support provided by the Disability Service
Provide responsive support to any student who identifies with needing additional support for their mental health and wellbeing	SU and Student Services	Students accessing services will have received adequate support
Ensure consistent respect, sensitivity and fairness is applied to all students presenting with mental health issues with the correct application of confidentiality guided by the student confidentiality agreement & policy.	ALL	Student cases will be handled with professionalism and in accordance with QMU student confidentiality policy
Support students to use the report and support system to report incidents.	ALL	No of reports increasing

Objective 4. Partnerships

We will build and strengthen partnerships with organisations locally and nationally to develop specialised and comprehensive student support relevant to mental health and wellbeing needs

Activities	Responsible	How will we know we have been successful?
Build partnerships with local agencies to develop referral routes and access for students	Student Services	Delivery of a running program of workshops to students and staff
Co-create information and training resources with local and national agencies promoting mental health	All	Resources developed and actively used by QMU services
Take an active role in partnerships locally and nationally that promotes students mental health	Student services	Improved partnerships and exchange of information

September 2022

Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Group

Queen Margaret University and Queen Margaret University Students Union