Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Working Group

Overview

The Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Working Group was re-established in May 2022, after work was paused in March 2020 due to COVID-19

The purpose of the group is to support the development of:

• the implementation of the Programme for Government commitments on additional counsellors in colleges and universities
• the review of the funding methodology for counsellor provision to further address equity of access to services
• the evaluation of the outcomes of the investment in student mental health counsellors, to ensure funding is linked to outcomes

To advise on the development of an evidence based best practice and evaluation informed Student Mental Health action plan which may include:

• the development of an integrated, preventative approach to student wellbeing in colleges and universities, including through all forms of physical activity
• improved local partnerships, referral pathways and support mechanisms between colleges and universities, NHS Scotland, Health and Social Care Partnerships, local authorities and the third sector
• and to ensure the action plan links to ongoing initiatives in the Scottish Government’s wider Mental Health strategy

• embedding mental health into the curriculum
• the integration of work with NUS Scotland and their local student association to develop Student Mental Health Agreements with the development of the action plan
• the development of integrated mental health and well-being resources for students on the SAAS and Student Information Scotland website
• collaboration across the public and third sector, on approaches to developing shared services and referral pathways within an enhancement framework
• best practice in relation to institutions’ support for student mental health and wellbeing, including best practice on staff resources, practices and training

Scottish Ministers will chair the group and the Scottish Government will provide secretariat support.

Members

• Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education and Minister for Veterans
• Debbie Browett, Scottish Government
• David Leitch, Scottish Government
• Professor Lynn Kilbride, Robert Gordon University and Universities Scotland
• Lauren Knight, Universities Scotland
• Fiona Drouet, Emily Test
• Julie Sinclair/Lorna Caldwell, SAAS
• Ronnie Millar, University of Edinburgh and Heads of University Counselling Services
• Jill Stevenson, University of Stirling and AMOSSHE
• Robert Partridge, University of Glasgow and AMOSSHE
• Andy Shanks, University of Edinburgh and AMOSSHE
• Katie Perrin, University of Stirling
• Jon Vincent, Glasgow Clyde College and Colleges Scotland
• Tom Hall, Colleges Scotland
• Brian Magee, COSCA
• Steve Mulligan, British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Kirsten Amis, Glasgow Clyde College
• Fiona Burns, Scottish Funding Council
• Craig Smith, SAMH
• Allie Scott, University of the Highlands and Islands
• Chris Jones, Unite the Union
• Liam Furby, NUS Scotland
• Katie Gilbert, NUS Think Positive
• Eileen Imlah, EIS
• Laura Caven/Hannah Axon, COSLA
• Stef Black, SPARQS
• Alison Eales, QAA Scotland
• Richmond Davies, Public Health Scotland
• Stew Fowlie, Scottish Student Sport
• Lorcan Mullen, UNISON
• Murdo Mathison, UCU
• Ellen Mackintosh, University of St Andrews
• Ruth Unsworth, University of St Andrews

Publications