student mental health

Greater Manchester and Salford will be the first places in the UK to open a dedicated centre to support student mental health in university students.

The scheme will offer digital technology-led approaches to treatment such as virtual clinics and referrals to 100,000 students across the area.

The location of the centre has not yet been confirmed but will be opened in the 2019/2020 academic year and will be specifically for students at University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Royal Northern College of Music, University of Bolton and University of Salford.

student mental health
The centre will cater for students across Salford and Greater Manchester

The service aims to transform student mental health by making it easy to get referred, regardless of where someone lives or studies, throughout the transition to university.

Mental health in students and young people in Manchester and Salford is a concerning issue that sees some of the worst statistics across the UK.

The centre will be focusing on common student mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders and aims to avoid the long process currently in place whereby students face extremely long waiting lists to just get an appointment.

student mental health
Depression and anxiety prevalence in the UK

The centre has been established in partnership between the region’s four universities and the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care partnership.

Professor Helen Marshall, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford, said: “We should never underestimate the welfare needs of our students, so we are delighted to invest in a more comprehensive service to support them.

“We don’t just want our people to be well-educated; we want them to be well.”

 

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