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Looking After a Mate

Looking After a Mate

The Looking After a Mate study set out to understand the support students provide to friends that are experiencing mental health difficulties. The study looked into the challenges students face in providing support, their needs as supporters, the support they receive and the impact this responsibility has on their lives. The study involved seventy-nine university students who were supporting friends experiencing mental health difficulties.
The report covers details about the supporters, the friends they are supporting, the supporters’ wellbeing, their needs, their experience of providing support and their approach to providing support.

Download the full Looking after a mate report

Some highlights:

Student supporters know several friends experiencing mental health difficulties and are providing a substantive proportion of support
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Student supporters need more support. They may likely to be experiencing their own mental health difficulties. They often feel that they don't know how best to support their friend and this is stressful. Meeting supporters needs can reduce the negative effects of poor mental health on the relationship.
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Increasing the range and intensity of non-professional support (e.g., friends and family) available to students experiencing difficulties reduces the impact of providing support on any one individual.
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Many students were supporting a friend who was not receiving any support from professional services. Supporters want more engagement with the professionals supporting their friend.
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  • About
    • What we do >
      • Our strategy
      • Our impact
    • Our team >
      • Trustees
      • Clinical Advisors
      • Student Advisors
    • Our supporters
  • Find Support
    • Support for me >
      • Our Peer Support Programmes >
        • Thrive
        • Our confidentiality commitment
        • Support for specific difficulties
      • Support at your university and further
      • University staff-run workshops
      • Student stories
    • Support for a friend >
      • Starting a conversation
      • Looking after yourself
    • Support for parents
    • Cost of living
    • 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
  • Get Involved
    • Student volunteering >
      • Charter Student Resources
      • University Mental Health Day
      • Write for us
      • Peer support groups >
        • Apply to be a peer support facilitator
        • Set up a peer support group
    • Charter
    • Students’ Unions >
      • Mentally Healthy SUs Framework
      • Introduction to Student Mental Health Online
      • Campaigning and Creating Positive Change
  • Training
    • Look After Your Mate >
      • Look After Your Mate Online
    • Mental Health in Sport >
      • Mental Health in Sport Online
    • Accommodation Providers
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Research and publications >
      • Reports >
        • Climate change and student mental health
        • Part-time, distance learner and commuter students
        • International Students
        • Life in a Pandemic
        • Supporting Students with Eating Disorders
        • The Role of an Academic
        • LGBTQ+ Research​
        • Student Voices
        • Graduate Wellbeing
        • Grand Challenges
        • University Peer Support
        • University Challenge
        • Looking After a Mate
        • Summary of HEFCE’s Report
      • Consultation Responses
      • Insight Briefings >
        • Student Mental Health in a Pandemic >
          • Life in a pandemic: Wave II findings
      • Student Advisory Committee Reflections
      • Good practice guides >
        • Co-producing Mental Health Initiatives With Student Volunteers
        • Podcasting About Mental Health
        • Co-producing mental health strategies with students
        • Student Living
        • Supporting Male Student Mental Health
        • Materials and resources
  • Support Us
    • Donate >
      • Online shopping
      • Payroll giving
      • Universities
    • Fundraise >
      • 10/10 Challenge
      • Plan Your Own Event
      • RAGs and Student Societies
      • Celebrate with Student Minds
      • Challenge Events
      • Paying in money
      • Fundraising Resources
    • Corporate Partners