Mental health

​abstracted illustration of students walking around university buildings

UK universities should be places that promote mental health and wellbeing, enabling all students and all staff to thrive and succeed to  their best potential. We can achieve this by all universities making mental health a strategic priority and adopting a whole university approach. 

Universities UK established a proactive programme of work on mental health in higher education in December 2016. The programme ensures that wellbeing and mental health are a strategic priority for universities. 

Two principles inform our work:

  • ​​​we all have mental health, well or unwell
  • a whole university approach to mental health and wellbeing is needed

Our work  

 Events

 News
abstrated illustration of student walking with a university campus in the background

New guidance on mental health and wellbeing – supporting staff and students more important now than ever

18 May 2020
UUK has published a refreshed version of its strategic framework, Stepchange: mentally healthy universities, calling on universities to prioritise the mental health of their students and staff

Contact

John de Pury

John de Pury

Assistant Director
Universities UK

mental health briefings report front cover

Covid-19: safety, health and wellbeing of students and staff briefings

Report
28 August 2020
Coronavirus Mental health
Recommendations, case studies and resources for universities, sector bodies, regulators and government to ensure disabled students, healthcare students and estranged and care-experienced students are fully supported during Covid-19 pandemic
front cover of report including a student walking with a university building and a thread moving across the page

Stepchange: mentally healthy universities

Report
18 May 2020
Mental health
A refreshed framework for a whole university approach to mental health and wellbeing.
Front cover of Beginning the conversation report on domestic abuse and COVID-19

Beginning the conversation: responding to domestic violence and abuse in higher education communities during the COVID-19 pandemic

30 April 2020
Coronavirus Equality, diversity and inclusion Mental health Student experience
A briefing to support universities in their response to the heightened risk of domestic violence and technology mediated abuse (online harassment) resulting from lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
cover image of initiations publication

Initiations at UK universities

Report
23 September 2019
Health and social care Mental health Student experience
UUK in collaboration with Newcastle University, has launched Initiations at UK universities to raise awareness of the dangers of initiations and excessive alcohol consumption among students.
Preventing student suicides

Guidance for universities on preventing student suicides

Report
5 September 2018
Health and social care Mental health
Universities UK and Papyrus, the UK’s national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, have published new guidance to help university leaders prevent student suicides.

Minding our future: starting a conversation about the support of student mental health

Report
11 May 2018
Health and social care Mental health
New guidance aimed at improving the coordination of care between the NHS and universities, so that all students can access the care they need.

Universities UK response to 'Transforming children and young people's mental health provision: a Green Paper'

Consultations and responses
15 March 2018
Health and social care Mental health Parliament and government
The government's green paper​ has provided an important opportunity to transform children and young people’s mental health, and universities will be at the forefront.
Student mental wellbeing in higher education: good practice guide report cover

Student mental wellbeing in higher education: good practice guide

Report
13 February 2015
Equality, diversity and inclusion Health and social care Mental health Student experience
For the teaching and support of students experiencing mental health difficulties was commissioned by us and produced by the Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education Working Group.