Looking after students' mental health

While the subject is at last getting greater attention, there’s still a perceived stigma to talking about our mental health. We want to show that ICE is a place where people can be open about the experiences they’re going through – and that starts by giving our staff the right skills.

Making mental wellbeing a priority

Whether it’s at work or on campus, for a new mum, an army veteran or anyone else, mental health is one of the most pressing topics for modern life. It can feel like there’s sustained pressure to ‘succeed’ – however that’s defined for each individual – coming from every corner of society.

We invited leading mental health charity, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough & South Lincolnshire Mind, to deliver their National Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course to staff so that we can offer the right support at the right time. There’s a growing need for educational institutions to consider how they look after the mental health of the people who choose to study with them. Students at ICE are not only studying but navigating myriad other challenges as part of their busy lives too. We know they’re taking on a big challenge and understand that we have a responsibility to look out for them, as well as our own colleagues, while they’re here.

This perspective was reinforced last autumn by the then Universities Minister, Sam Gyimah, who called on Vice Chancellors to, “Make the mental health of their students a priority,” before going on to note that, “Good mental health and wellbeing underpins successful participation and attainment.” We agree.

Learning how to listen

Forty student-facing staff, a mix of both academic and professional services colleagues, attended the two-day MHFA training that helps people identify, understand and assist anyone experiencing mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Independent research shows that taking part in an MHFA course raises literacy and reduces stigma around mental health and, crucially, promotes early intervention which, in turn, facilitates improved recovery rates.

Jenny Swain, a CPSL Mind trainer who delivered the MHFA course to ICE staff, says, “Mental Health First Aid isn’t about teaching people to be counsellors or therapists or to feel like they need to offer instant solutions to problems, it’s about helping them listen, reassure and ask the right questions, while putting their own judgement to one side.

“It also helps people identify the appropriate support networks and assess when it’s necessary to address the difficult, but incredibly important subject of whether or not someone’s feeling suicidal.”

Professional and personal development

Gaining the confidence and skills to recognise and better support anyone trying to cope with mental health challenges has had an empowering effect on staff. Daniel Peers, Food and Beverage Supervisor at ICE, sums up the sentiment:

“In my role, I come into contact with students, colleagues and the general public. This course has given me invaluable skills to help recognise the warning signs of mental health issues, including in those who haven’t yet been diagnosed. It’s opened my eyes to the scope of mental health difficulties faced by individuals and by our society as a whole and shown me practical ways to listen, sympathetically, without passing judgement. It was a really valuable learning experience.”

By establishing a network of Mental Health First Aiders, we’re helping to keep all aspects of health and wellbeing at the top of our agenda and trying to ensure everyone at ICE can feel listened to, supported and validated.

Learn more

If you'd like to find out mroe about Mental Health First Aid or any other mental health issue, please visit: www.cpslmind.org.uk

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This article was originally published as part of the 2019 Lent term edition of Inside ICE.