Coventry College launching #MentalHealth drive

Coventry’s leading further education provider is pledging its support to a new charter to improve staff and students’ mental health.

The 11-point mental health and wellbeing document – created by the Association of Colleges in conjunction with mental health experts – will see Coventry College providing mental health training to its 550 staff, while also offering individual mental health support to both staff and its 7,000 students.

The College will also be reaffirming its efforts of challenging the mental health stigma by promoting equal opportunity for those with a mental health condition.

Colleges across England teach and train 2.2 million people each year – including 685,000 young people.

Every year, one in 10 young people experience a mental health problem and one in five young people aged 16 to 24 experience a common mental illness such as anxiety or depression at any one time, according to the Association of Colleges.

They also say that around 75 per cent of adults with a diagnosable mental health problem experience their first symptoms before the age of 24.

Gill Banks, CEO at Coventry College, signed up to the Association of College’s mental health and wellbeing charter on behalf of Coventry College.

Gill said: “Our staff and students spend a significant amount of time with us, so as a college we have a responsibility to ensure we are doing all that we can to ensure that they are firstly aware that there is support there should they need it, and secondly, to have trained personnel who can lend an ear and guide individuals to the right services for further support.

“Tutors and students alike need to have a working environment that is conducive to study – and knowing that emotional support is there if needed will only serve to strengthen the friendly and supportive culture we have at the College.”

Richard Caulfield, Mental Health Lead at the Association of Colleges, added:

“Every single day colleges such as Coventry College provide a world class education and transform the lives of millions of people. This includes providing support for both staff and student wellbeing at the right time, in the right place.

“This charter gives colleges the chance to publicly state their commitment to the mental health agenda.”