Start To Success Launches Game-Changing Student Mental Health Campaign

Start to Success, an @OfficeStudents funded partnership project, is set to change the face of student #MentalHealth and #wellbeing with the launch of a brand-new campaign.

The innovative Start to Success programme, which launched earlier this year, is a partnership between Staffordshire University and Keele University with support from with NHS providers, police, local authorities and colleges. Together both Universities and partners have been working to introduce a new integrated community approach to mental health and wellbeing for students in further and higher education.

The new campaign, which launched digitally on Monday 16 November 2020, has been developed in close collaboration with students at both Universities and local colleges in the area via a series of workshops and focus groups. It aims to increase the awareness of mental health and the support available for students across Staffordshire.

Maintaining good mental health has been highlighted as being particularly important throughout this year due to the COVID-19 lockdown in March and the current lockdown in England, which has led to the campaign being launched virtually

Covering the themes of isolation, stigma and self-help, the virtual campaign promotes positive mental health and wellbeing through a suite of ever-growing resources including guidebooks and videos, to help students learn new tools and techniques to support their mental health. Throughout the launch week students will be able to engage with a variety of content around the three themes with key messages being shared across social media.

Ian Munton, Director of Library and Student Services at Staffordshire University added:

“Our aim when commencing this project was to develop a whole community commitment to mental health. Not just within our own individual settings but throughout this extensive partnership.”

“We are now a year into Start to Success and are beginning to see the impact that the work of so many committed and passionate staff and students is having. This campaign is an example of how students and staff, working together and talking openly about mental health, can positively impact and influence our community.”

“In what is such a challenging and uncertain time for many, the project is now more relevant than ever, and we look forward to seeing the impact of the campaign on our community.”

Katie Laverty, Director of Student Services at Keele University added,

“The health and wellbeing of our students is our utmost priority, particularly at this strange and difficult time. Our Start to Success project is proud to be working with partners across the region to raise awareness of what support is available to students both on and off campus as well as sharing key messages about isolation, stigma, and self-care.

“This campaign will encourage students to reach out and make meaningful connections with others, speak openly about their experiences and recognise when they might need to get help. We’re delighted to share this campaign with students across the region and contribute towards our whole community approach to support student mental health.”