Lancashire Mind join forces to deliver the Mentally Healthy Universities Programme

Mental health charity Lancashire Mind (@LancsMind) and @UCLan are to join the Mentally Healthy Universities programme, designed by national @Mind and @GoldmanSachs Gives.  

Lancashire Mind have partnered up with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to deliver multi-faceted interventions, catered at supporting and enabling both students and university staff, that will help them to improve their mental health and wellbeing within a university environment and later on in the workplace. 

Mind’s recent COVID-19 survey showed that 75% of young people (aged 13-24) said their mental health has got worse since COVID-19. University staff have also been affected with 35% of adults surveyed describing their mental health as poor or very poor.  

Lancashire Mind joins the initiative in the second year of its trial and are hopeful that, together with UCLan, Mind and Goldman Sachs Gives, they will be able to deliver success for the students and university staff. 

Findings from the first year of the programme showed over 90% of students who took part in the ‘tools and techniques to manage your mental health’ course said they were more confident looking after their mental health. 

The programme aims to ensure students are equipped to manage their mental health and thrive at university, providing the knowledge and tools to build their resilience and to ensure they are able to manage their mental health in future employment. 

Paula May, Lancashire Mind’s Mentally Healthy Universities Coordinator said:

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this initiative and having the opportunity to work with the amazing people at UCLan.  

“This year has been especially tough on everyone in education and the more we can do to provide skills and support for all within the university, the better.  

“From a mental health and wellbeing perspective, I think together we can make real strides that can help so many students and staff members better manage their day-to-day lives as well as meet their full potential.” 

As part of the programme students have the opportunity to take part in sessions on mental wellbeing essentials, managing their mental health at university, and transitioning into the workplace. 

Paula added “The fact that this programme will then go on to help the work sector across the UK, is the icing on the cake for me.” 

University staff will be supported to set up a network of Staff Mental Health Champions and Mental Health Peer Supporters to help build an even better system that will enable employees to thrive. 

National Mind will also be working with all of the universities as employers to help them meet the Mental Health at Work Commitment.