Enhancing Student Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education

• Learn about the difference in needs between undergraduate and postgraduate students and their mental health
• Get to grips with the challenges faced by first year students when living independently for the first time
• Identify the key challenges of effectively supporting student mental wellbeing
• Evaluate different methods of promoting student support services to students

Review the training and support of university staff and how to they can be supported to support students.

• Learn how to ensure a positive and close relationship between academics and student services
• Discuss approaches to effectively supporting academic staff to manage student wellbeing concerns
  

In this interactive session led by Laura Smythson delegates will learn strategies to promote positive mental wellbeing. Take this opportunity to discuss and share best practice with peers.

• Discuss the national policy landscape of student suicides
• Understand the responses to student suicides
• Gain insight in to preventative measures that can be put in place in your institution
• Learn about the possible warning signs that may present in students

In this session, delegates will work with the chair to review their institution’s effectiveness in the area of mental wellbeing support.

• Examine the key challenges within your institution
• Evaluate your current procedures by discussing case examples and scenarios
• Assess the key strengths and weaknesses in your institutions’ current practice

In group activities, delegates will consider existing guidance and best practice examples to consider areas for development within their own service.

• Identify areas for improvement in your organisation’s mental wellbeing services
• Analyse the barriers to realising improvements and how to overcome them
• Consider how best to train and support university staff
• Develop an action plan to effectively support your students going forward