Table of Contents
Please use the links below to jump to your chosen section or sub-section:
1. Introduction and how to use this manual
1.1. Whom is this manual for?
1.2. What does the manual contain
1.3. How to use this manual
1.4. What is meant by the term 'mental health
difficulties'?
1.5. Why do institutions need to be concerned
with student mental health?
1.6. Student mental health: some statistics
2. Developing a student mental health policy
2.1. Rationale for having a policy
2.2. Writing a policy
2.3. Launching a policy
2.4. Monitoring a policy
2.5. Content of the policy
2.5.1. Confidentiality
2.5.2. Duty of care
2.5.3. Roles and responsibilities of staff
2.5.4. Roles and responsibilities of students
2.5.5. Disciplinary issues
2.5.6. Statement of institution's commitment to…..
2.6. Further references
3. Supporting students experiencing mental health difficulties
3.1. Assessment of needs3.1.1. Declaration of needs prior to entry
3.1.2. Identification of needs post entry
3.1.3. Assessment of needs within the institutional remit
3.1.4. Assessment of needs which are outside the institutional remit
3.1.5. Where recognition of needs is denied
3.2. General guidelines for staff supporting students with mental health difficulties
3.2.1. Determining whether there may be a mental health difficulty
3.2.2. Approaching the student
3.2.3. When a student does not want to talk
3.2.4. When a student does want to talk
3.2.5. Handling a crisis situation
3.2.6. Confidentiality
3.3. Specific support arrangements for students with mental health difficulties
3.3.1. Learning support
3.3.2. Examination and assessment
3.3.3. Fieldwork
3.3.4. Careers advice
3.3.5. Accommodation
3.3.6. Financial support
3.3.7. Student support services
3.4. Role of Students' Unions
3.5. Liaison with external agencies
3.5.1. Local health services
3.5.2. Voluntary organisations
3.6. Appendix: guidelines for specialist support staff on using a 'framework of questions'
3.6.1. Using a 'framework of questions'
3.6.2. An example of a 'framework of questions'
4. Supporting the supporters
4.1. Staff supporting students4.1.1. The role of staff as supporters
4.1.2. Training and staff development
4.1.3. Mentoring schemes
4.1.4. Staff consultation with student support services
4.1.5. Debriefing
4.1.6. Information sources
4.1.7. Support outside of normal working hours
4.1.8. Inclusive institutional mental health policies
4.2. Students supporting other students
4.2.1. The role of students as supporters or invisible carers
4.2.2. An example of practical guidelines for students supporting students with possible mental health difficulties
5. Training and awareness raising
5.1. The purpose of mental health awareness training5.2. Who should receive training?
5.3. Who should do the training?
5.4. Embedding training: maximising participation
5.5. A model for an initial mental health awareness training session
5.5.1. Introduction
5.5.2. Challenging stigma
5.5.3. Definition and effects
5.5.4. How to support those experiencing mental health difficulties
5.5.5. Summing up
5.6. Other means of raising mental health awareness
5.6.1. Mental health awareness campaigns
5.6.2. Resources and materials
5.6.3. Making an institution wide impact
6. Promoting student mental health: a proactive approach
6.1. Introduction6.2. Pre-entry
6.2.1. Prospectus, promotional literature and events
6.2.2. At application
6.3. Enrolment and induction
6.3.1. Completion of forms
6.3.2. Mentoring or 'buddy' schemes
6.3.3. Welcome week/Introductory week activities
6.3.4. Induction literature
6.3.5. Identification of vulnerable groups
6.4. Mentoring and peer support
6.4.1. Mentoring schemes for first year students
6.4.2. Extension of mentoring schemes
6.4.3. Mentor training
6.4.4. Peer support
6.5. Study advice
6.5.1. Initial study advice
6.5.2. Ongoing study advice
6.5.3. Further resources
6.6. Teaching and assessment methods
6.6.1. Assessment
6.6.2. Peer support
6.6.3. Tutoring
6.6.4. Course information
6.6.5. Suspending study
6.7. Accommodation
6.7.1. Institutionally managed residences
6.7.2. Community living
6.7.3. Private sector housing
6.7.4. Special needs
6.8. Financial support
6.8.1. Advisory services
6.8.2. Hardship funds
6.8.3. Information and resources
7. Appendix: further references and resources
7.1. References and resources
7.2. Sample flow charts
7.2.1. Practical guidelines
for staff supporting students with possible mental health difficulties
7.2.2. Practical guidelines
for students supporting others with possible mental health difficulties
