Universities Minister Michelle Donelan MP has announced a new £1 million fund to promote innovate student mental health initiatives, following a visit to Brunel University London ahead University Mental Health Day.
The new fund will be used to deliver projects that supports groups of students which research suggests could be more ‘at risk’ of developing mental health difficulties, such as black or ethnic minority students, or those from disadvantaged backgrounds, LGBT students or those with a disabilities.
The money will be provided through the regulator the Office for Students (OfS), which is inviting bidders to submit proposals that will target and help students who might be at the greatest risk.
Ms Donelan MP, who has been in the Universities Minister role since February, said: “Going to university can be a really challenging time, especially if you face added pressures or if you are balancing studies alongside other commitments like carers and mature students.
“It is vital no student is put at risk by not getting the help they need. Universities must step up to this challenge, and this funding will help them and the sector by looking at ways support can be better targeted and improved.”
The announcement followed the minister's visit to Brunel, where she learnt about the initiatives currently offered, and met with members of the Union of Brunel Students to find out how they work with their university to continually improve services.
Lesley O’Keeffe, Deputy Director of Academic and Student Services at Brunel, said: “We offer a whole variety of services for students at Brunel University – it ranges from Tutoring@Brunel, which is their academic support, all the way through to therapeutic counselling, offered on a one to one basis.
“I know that it can be scary for students to come and ask for help that very first time – take somebody with you, maybe confide in a friend, whatever you need to do to get over that initial barrier of asking for help. You will be amazed that there will be a variety of people who actually just want to help.
For further information about mental health services at Brunel, please visit: brunel.ac.uk/life/your-voice-counts/your-health-and-wellbeing
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