FAQs for parents, carers and guardians
At Student Minds we recognise that for a parent, the transition of a child from school to university, can be a significant challenge.
We are often approached by parents looking for further information on how they can best support their child, and have captured some of the most frequently asked questions below.
We are often approached by parents looking for further information on how they can best support their child, and have captured some of the most frequently asked questions below.
How can I best support my child from a distance?
Caring for your child at home is probably what you are most comfortable with and it can be easy to revert to this if your child begins to struggle.
If things do become a challenge, rather than suggesting that your child returns home, we would encourage you to have a conversation with them and see what would really be the best outcome for them. Encouraging your child to stay at university and make use of available support can be an important developmental step, alongside being available when a phone call or visit home is needed. Reaching out for a discussion to understand how your child would like to be supported will be useful to understand how you can help them in a positive manner.
US based activeminds.org have a useful step guide to help you think about how to support your child with their transition to university. Suggestions include creating a regular time to keep in touch with each other and checking in on your child's self care (eating, sleeping, exercising etc.), as well as having a plan just in case things become to difficult to manage. Take a look at the full 7 steps here.
If things do become a challenge, rather than suggesting that your child returns home, we would encourage you to have a conversation with them and see what would really be the best outcome for them. Encouraging your child to stay at university and make use of available support can be an important developmental step, alongside being available when a phone call or visit home is needed. Reaching out for a discussion to understand how your child would like to be supported will be useful to understand how you can help them in a positive manner.
US based activeminds.org have a useful step guide to help you think about how to support your child with their transition to university. Suggestions include creating a regular time to keep in touch with each other and checking in on your child's self care (eating, sleeping, exercising etc.), as well as having a plan just in case things become to difficult to manage. Take a look at the full 7 steps here.
What support can my child access at university and in the wider community?
Student Space, run by Student Minds provides a range of trusted information, services and tools to help students with the uncertainty of university life.
There are three ways that Student Space is here to help:
1) Information and advice to help you through the challenges of student life
2) Helping you find what support is available at your university
3) Access to dedicated support services for students
The support provided by Student Space is safe, confidential and free. It has been developed collaboratively with services, higher education professionals, researchers and students to complement the existing services available to students.
There are three ways that Student Space is here to help:
1) Information and advice to help you through the challenges of student life
2) Helping you find what support is available at your university
3) Access to dedicated support services for students
The support provided by Student Space is safe, confidential and free. It has been developed collaboratively with services, higher education professionals, researchers and students to complement the existing services available to students.
What support can I get as a parent?
Young Minds Parents Helpline is available to offer advice to anyone worried about a child or young person under 25. Available Mon-Fri from 9:30am to 4pm (Freephone) 0808 802 5544
Our 'support for a friend' page, although not specific to parents, may contain information that is useful to you.
You can also get advice from contacting the university's mental health and wellbeing team - they won't be able to provide information about your child but they can describe what support is on offer in general terms.
Our 'support for a friend' page, although not specific to parents, may contain information that is useful to you.
You can also get advice from contacting the university's mental health and wellbeing team - they won't be able to provide information about your child but they can describe what support is on offer in general terms.
What if my child has to leave or interrupt their studies?
- Firstly, we hope to provide some reassurance by letting you know that many students take the decision to transfer courses or university or take some time out, and this can be a really good decision. The main priority will be working with your child to decide what will be the best thing for them. It is worth taking a look at our support page as it covers a wide range of questions your child may have.
- When students are thinking of taking time out, their primary contact is often their tutor. Encourage your child to have a conversation with their tutor, let them know about the difficulties they are facing and to discuss options. You may find that there may be some support and adjustments that could be put in place with the aim to support them to continue their studies.
- Your child could be entitled to a range of adjustments as mental health difficulties are included under disability in the Equality Act. Your child could also be entitled to different adjustments if they decide to attend a different university. The university's mental health and wellbeing support (who you can call) should be able to discuss the possibilities as well as helping to put things in place. This link to the University Mental Health Advisors Network student leaflet has really useful advice for students looking for support at university.
- If following conversations your child and their tutor come to the decision that taking some time out will be the best thing for them, the tutor will be able to guide them through the process, this varies from university to university.
- It may also be useful to speak to the Student Advice Centre within the Students’ Union. They can provide independent advice as they are separate to the university and will be able to give more information on the institutions policies and procedures around transferring, taking time out, and the support and adjustments available within the university.
- There are also financial considerations for taking a break in study, the student should be able to get advice on this from their university Support Services so they understand before making a decision.
- If your child decides transferring universities may be the best option, there is some info about transferring universities here.
- Also, our Further Support page on our website may be of use in terms of identifying other support options.
My child is unhappy with their university accommodation and I am worried about the effect this is having on their wellbeing
Unfortunately we are not in a position to give advice on individual situations but we would really encourage your child to speak to the Advice team at their university who can provide independent advice and support. We would also encourage you to check-in with your child to see how they are doing as the situation and solutions are explored.
Other options you and your child can take which includes:
Speaking to the university's accommodation team
Speaking directly to the manager of the accommodation
Asking to speak to the wellbeing lead in the accommodation (if they are private providers)
You may also find it useful to take a look at our finance resource page if this issue is leading to any financial worries.
Other options you and your child can take which includes:
Speaking to the university's accommodation team
Speaking directly to the manager of the accommodation
Asking to speak to the wellbeing lead in the accommodation (if they are private providers)
You may also find it useful to take a look at our finance resource page if this issue is leading to any financial worries.
