Achieving cultural change in mental health support: a work in progress

Abstract

The session will focus on the cross-institutional change in approaches that may be needed to ensure appropriate and effective support for students with mental health concerns within LJMU.  The Government has recently announced that it wants all HEIs to have achieved the Student Minds Mental Health Charter mark within the next 5 years. We will review internal data on disclosures, progress to date with the Office for Students Improving Student Pathways project, and the work needed to ensure that LJMU achieves the Student Minds Mental Health Charter mark.  Moving to a whole institution approach will entail change at every level.  We will explore what has been achieved to date, what change will be required over the interim period and where we hope to be in supporting students with mental health concerns.  The session will update colleagues on the requirements of the Student Minds Charter and how this will impact on academic delivery as well as professional service delivery.  It will also be a fact-finding exercise using the experiences of colleagues attending this session to inform the development of strategy and practice.   

In terms of university values, this session relates to all 4 values in that the work is student focused, ensuring inclusivity for those with mental health concerns, building community that supports all, and courageous as we will need to change the way we think about supporting students with mental health concerns.