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Co-producing mental health strategies with students

Co-producing mental health strategies with students:
A Guide for the Higher Education Sector

Students with lived experience of mental health difficulties are experts by experience.
​

In order to identify the full range of work necessary to improve mental health and wellbeing at our Higher Education institutions, we must listen to students. Students, both with and without the experience of mental illness, should be part of every stage of developing mental health and wellbeing strategies. This practical toolkit aims to support those leading on strategy development, with the tools to find meaningful and effective solutions with students. Find out how to get started:

Our guide explores

  • Why co-production is so powerful in developing mental health and wellbeing strategies.
  • How co-production strategies can lead to improved wellbeing outcomes and wider benefits for both staff and students
  • Overcoming barriers to engagement and engaging different groups and communities of students
  • A range of tools for leading co-production work at universities
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Download the guide


Project Background​

Since 2009 Student Minds has delivered a range of student engagement activities across the UK to explore student and staff experiences around their mental health and supporting others. Funded by a successful partnership bid to HEFCE’s (now Office for Students) Catalyst Fund addressing barriers to student success, three universities in the process of developing mental health strategies partnered with Student Minds and UUK to explore the process of developing a university-wide approach to mental health, and to develop tools and learning of use to the wider HE sector. Alongside this, UUK is developing a validated mental health and wellbeing audit, and creating a knowledge and practice exchange platform. This particular report is an output of this partnership project, informed by piloting different ideas for co-producing strategy with students at The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), Cardiff University, and the University of York.
Who is this guide for?
This resource is intended to support Higher Education Institutions to make a long term commitment to empower and value students’ experiences as central to the solution to improving mental health at our universities and colleges. The intended audience is those leading on mental health strategy development at universities, senior leadership, Student Union (SU) staff, SU officers, Student Support Service staff, Accommodation management, and other stakeholders in this space. It may also be of use to NHS and third sector staff working with universities on student mental health. In working with external partners such as the NHS, universities can contribute to support students in a way that is embedded in the local offer. In order to do this in a way that meets the needs of students, students must be engaged.

Have your say:

We want to hear your experiences - please share your work with us at studentvoice@studentminds.org.uk  

If you are interested in this report in the context of working in or with a Students’ Union - please contact susupport@studentminds.org.uk for further information on our developing Students’ Union Support Programme.  

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  • Find Support
    • Support for me >
      • Our Peer Support Programmes >
        • Our confidentiality commitment
        • Support for specific difficulties
      • Support at your university and further
      • University staff-run workshops
    • Support for a friend >
      • Starting a conversation
      • Looking after yourself
    • Support for parents
    • Help through Coronavirus >
      • Coronavirus - Looking After Your Mental Health
      • Coronavirus - Student resources >
        • Assessments and exams from home ​
        • Managing digital communication
      • Student Space FAQs
    • Resources >
      • Men’s Mental Health
      • The Wellbeing Thesis
      • Transitions >
        • Transition into University
        • Know Before You Go
        • Transitions for staff
      • Starting University
      • Exam stress
      • LGBTQ+
      • Looking after your mental wellbeing
      • Year Abroad
      • Student finance
      • Support through a family health crisis
  • About
    • What we do >
      • Our impact
    • Our team >
      • Trustees
      • Clinical Advisors
      • Student Advisors
    • Our supporters
  • Get Involved
    • Student volunteering >
      • Write for us
      • Peer support groups >
        • Apply to be a peer support facilitator
        • Set up a peer support group
    • University staff >
      • Mental Health in Sport >
        • Mental Health in Sport Online
      • Look After Your Mate >
        • Look After Your Mate Online
      • Setting up a peer support group >
        • Students Minds peer support set up
        • Peer support Train the Trainer
    • Students’ Unions >
      • Introduction to Student Mental Health Online
      • Look After Your Members Online
    • Accommodation Providers
    • Research
  • Information Hub
    • Latest news
    • Research and publications >
      • Co-production Guide
      • The Role of an Academic
      • LGBTQ+ Research​
      • Student Voices
      • Graduate Wellbeing
      • Student Living
      • Grand Challenges
      • University Peer Support
      • University Challenge
      • Looking After a Mate
      • Summary of HEFCE’s Report
    • Materials and resources
    • National campaigns >
      • Previous campaigns
  • Charter
    • Charter - Sustainable Future
    • Creating the Charter
    • Charter - Student Panel
    • Charter - FAQs
  • Support Us
    • Donate >
      • Online shopping
      • Payroll giving
    • Fundraise >
      • Summer Fundraising
      • Plan Your Own Event
      • RAGs and Student Societies
      • Celebrate with Student Minds
      • Challenge Events
      • Paying in money
      • Fundraising Resources
    • Corporate Partners