Student Minds
  • 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
    • Resources >
      • 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
      • Mind Matters
      • Support through a family health crisis
  • About
    • What we do >
      • Our impact
    • Our team >
      • Clinical Advisors
    • Our supporters
  • Get Involved
    • Student volunteering >
      • Student groups
      • Campaign groups >
        • Campaigns training
      • Peer support groups >
        • Apply to be a peer support facilitator
        • Set up a peer support group
      • Men’s Mental Health
      • Write for us
      • Research Studies
    • University staff >
      • Setting up a peer support group >
        • Students Minds peer support set up
        • Peer support Train the Trainer
      • Mental Health in Sport
      • Look After Your Mate
    • Students’ Unions
    • Charter >
      • Charter FAQs
  • Information Hub
    • Latest news
    • National campaigns >
      • Current campaigns >
        • Use your voice: Responding to Government Proposals
      • Previous campaigns
    • Research and publications >
      • 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
    • Media and Press Centre >
      • Press highlights
      • Press releases
    • Materials and resources
  • Support Us
    • Donate >
      • Easy fundraising
      • Payroll giving
    • Fundraise >
      • Fundraising events
      • Fundraising tips
      • Meet our fundraising champions
      • Paying in money
      • Fundraising Resources
    • Corporate Partners
  • Volunteer hub
Picture

The Role of an Academic

The Role of an Academic

For many students experiencing difficulties, academics are often the first point of contact. Students may turn to academics for advice because they are approachable, accessible and they have a pre-existing relationship. However, research conducted for Student Minds, indicates that academics are struggling to respond effectively to student mental health.

Researchers interviewed 52 academics with diverse experience, at five universities. These academics identified that responding to student mental health problems is now an inevitable part of the academic role. However, this crucial frontline role is currently invisible, and the higher education sector does not have the appropriate structures or cultures to assist academics.

You can read a summary of the findings and recommendations in the document below, and download the full report. 

Have your say!

​Share your experience as an academic in our follow up research.

Download the full report


Download the accessible version

View the press release

Download a 2 page summary

< Back to research and publications
About
Get in contact
Jobs & Opportunities
Privacy statement
Feedback and Complaints

Student Minds is registered with Companies House, 07493445
Student Minds is a Charity registered in England and Wales, 1142783
Sign up to our newsletter

Picture
  • 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
    • Resources >
      • 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
      • Mind Matters
      • Support through a family health crisis
  • About
    • What we do >
      • Our impact
    • Our team >
      • Clinical Advisors
    • Our supporters
  • Get Involved
    • Student volunteering >
      • Student groups
      • Campaign groups >
        • Campaigns training
      • Peer support groups >
        • Apply to be a peer support facilitator
        • Set up a peer support group
      • Men’s Mental Health
      • Write for us
      • Research Studies
    • University staff >
      • Setting up a peer support group >
        • Students Minds peer support set up
        • Peer support Train the Trainer
      • Mental Health in Sport
      • Look After Your Mate
    • Students’ Unions
    • Charter >
      • Charter FAQs
  • Information Hub
    • Latest news
    • National campaigns >
      • Current campaigns >
        • Use your voice: Responding to Government Proposals
      • Previous campaigns
    • Research and publications >
      • 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
    • Media and Press Centre >
      • Press highlights
      • Press releases
    • Materials and resources
  • Support Us
    • Donate >
      • Easy fundraising
      • Payroll giving
    • Fundraise >
      • Fundraising events
      • Fundraising tips
      • Meet our fundraising champions
      • Paying in money
      • Fundraising Resources
    • Corporate Partners
  • Volunteer hub