The University has been awarded the University Mental Health Charter Award. The Charter, developed by Student Minds, recognises the dedication of universities to the promotion of good mental health and the implementation of supportive practices for the whole university community.
Through our charter submission, we’ve made significant strides in understanding and improving our mental health support. This progress is part of a broader, evolving strategy that intertwines with our commitment to inclusion. Our action plan, developed as part of our submission, is a testament to our holistic approach to mental health.
The feedback from Student Minds commended the University’s efforts in several key areas:
- Development of Student Hubs
- Collaboration with NHS staff
- The Special Considerations project for supportive student measures
- Our Transition and Orientation Programme tailored for disabled students
- Accommodation placements mindful of student-specific needs
- Demonstrating honesty and commitment from leadership
- A strong focus on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
- A cohesive, goal-orientated and positive work culture
- Impactful delivery through Strategic Major Projects
Receiving this award is a significant moment for us, yet it represents just one step in our ongoing journey. We remain focused on continuous improvement and are committed to making our University a safe and supportive environment in which to work and study.
Professor Deborah Gill, University Wellbeing Champion and the sponsor for our submission, said:
“This Charter tells our community, prospective students, those who consider working with us, and the wider community that we are committed to making the University an inclusive and welcoming place to work and learn. It acknowledges our commitment to prevention and wellbeing and making those with mental health difficulties feel supported. The award gives us a structured way of interrogating and improving all aspects of how we support our community and gives us greater momentum to continuously develop our policy, practices and services.”
We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to our work in mental health so far. Your involvement has been central to our progress, and we look forward to building on these efforts together.
Keep an eye out for more updates as we push forward with our action plan, striving to further the wellbeing of our University community.
We are aware that there is an ongoing issue affecting SUSSED links when working remotely, and are working to find a solution. In the meantime, please connect to GlobalProtect to resolve this issue, or navigate directly to https://sotonac.sharepoint.com/