Engaging & Supporting University Students
The document discusses mental health services provided at the University of Surrey. It outlines that having mental health provision on campus benefits students by providing early identification and support, benefits the university by minimizing disruption and maximizing student retention, and benefits local services by providing a single point of contact. The University of Surrey offers mental health services through its Centre for Wellbeing, Additional Learning Support, and Student Health Care center, where a Mental Health Advisor is based. Students can be referred through various routes depending on the severity of issues. The advisor's role includes education, advocacy, monitoring, and coordination within the university. In the 2010-11 academic year, 118 students utilized mental health services at Student Health Care,
Engaging & Supporting University Students
- 1. Engaging & Supporting University Students Chris Ward Mental Health Advisor University of Surrey
- 2. Why concentrate on Universities? (Demographic of people experiencing 1 st psychotic episode) Possible link between severe mental illness and downward mobility Earlier intervention = better outcome
- 3. Benefits of MH provision based in a University For Sufferers: Earliest possible identification & signposting to statutory services Support network on campus For the University: Minimise disruption Maximise retention Enhance reputation For Local Services: Single point of contact at University Ability to share monitoring activities
- 4. University of Surrey In addition to NHS GP Practice: Centre for Wellbeing Additional Learning Support Student Health Care (Base for Mental Health Advisor)
- 5. University Referral Route Risk to self / others = Security / GP / A&E Emotional Distress / Crisis = Centre for Wellbeing Indication of Mental Health Issue = Student Health Care Concerns raised by tutors, wardens, security, parents, students.
- 6. External Referrals (With students permission): Inpatient areas A&E CMHT HTT EIIP GP
- 7. What is offered? Mental Health Education & Advice Support Advocacy Monitoring Co-ordination within University
- 8. Other Activities Assessment & Signposting Mental Health Promotion (e.g. “Time to Change” activities) Health Fairs Fit 4 Life (Outreach) “Relaxation Zone” (exam stress workshops) Answering general questions / Dispelling myths
- 9. Numbers / Trends Academic year 2010/11: Entire student population = ~15,000 Of students that came to attention of SHC: 118 students with mental health difficulty, including: 8 bipolar 2 schizophrenic 11 psychotic episode (no formal diagnosis) (Comparison: 2009/10 – total of 6 students with psychosis of any type)
- 10. The Future More referrals! Educating academic & front line staff Awareness campaign: Collaboration with First Steps & Students Union Using social networking to promote health: twitter.com/SurreySHC facebook (Student Health Care)
- 11. Questions?