accessible to all students. Its Wellbeing Student Advisory Board (WSAB) is a collaborative initiative between Kent Union and the University of Kent, which involves discussing current and future plans for the university and suggestions, based on the board’s shared expertise and experiences from mental health, safety initiatives, the cost-of-living crisis and sense of community and belonging. “The board consists of 20 enthusiastic students from a diverse range of
courses, years of study, and backgrounds, passionate about shaping student wellbeing at Kent,” says a university spokesperson. “WSAB members receive a payment for their active involvement in the meetings, which is important when students are providing valuable input on how to enhance student wellbeing at Kent and acting as expert ‘consultants’ on the student experience.” The University of Kent, like many other universities, also works closely with
local NHS mental health services. According to Lee Fellows, deputy director and head of student support, this includes the provision of space on campus to enable students to have easier access to its facilities. “In 2021, we joined Student Minds’ University Mental Health Charter
Programme, a UK-wide practice-sharing network to improve support for university staff and student mental health,” says Lee. Universities that are part of the University Mental Health Charter programme
will be supported to make cultural change so that all aspects of university life promote and support mental health. The government has set a target for all universities to sign up to
the University Mental Health Charter Programme and currently 102 members have pledged, – a positive sign that universities across the board increasingly take student mental health seriously, assuming obligations for their community’s wellbeing. The charter says that both students and staff will benefit from better support for their mental health and wellbeing as a result. Students struggling with their mental health can also access Student Space, a mental health and wellbeing hub supporting students. Funded by £3.6million from the Office for Students, Student Space provides dedicated one-to-one text and web chat support services. It’s also an online platform providing vital mental health and wellbeing resources. l
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ways to take charge of your mental health
Try and figure out what the problem is; this is the first step to developing a solution
Solving a problem, especially when difficult, can take a lot of time, so be patient and consider different approaches Ask people for help – no problem is too small
Accept what you can’t change and consider other avenues you can explore
Be realistic about what you can change – if something bothers you now, consider whether this will still be the case in a week or a month’s time
Acknowledge how you feel – it’s okay to be angry or upset and to talk about this
Surround yourself with healthy relationships, such as people you trust or mentors. Talk to them when you are experiencing stress
Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep. Sometimes a problem can be seen in a completely different light if you sleep on it Be active – exercise is good for the brain and body Get your work-life balance management right
If you do feel overwhelmed, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible, as many problems can be supported and resolved with the right treatment.
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