Glasgow Caledonian signs up to Student Minds' University Mental Health Charter
Glasgow Caledonian University is once again joining universities across the UK in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of both students and staff.
The University is committed to enhancing mental-health initiatives through its ongoing participation in Student Minds' Mental Health Charter Award programme.
Glasgow Caledonian was one of just three UK universities selected in 2020 to trial this prestigious award, which benchmarks and recognises best practices in mental-health support across higher education institutions. This year, the institution is one of 113 universities — and the only one in Scotland — participating in the programme.
The University Mental Health Charter (UMHC) provides a framework for universities to improve mental-health support for both students and staff through a holistic, whole-university approach.
For Glasgow Caledonian, this involves:
- Understanding the needs of our community: Exploring the experiences of students and staff, and ensuring support services are accessible and tailored to their needs.
- Collaboration: Actively involving staff and students as partners in creating and developing mental-health resources.
- Governance and leadership: Continuously enhancing governance structures related to mental health and wellbeing.
- Research: Supporting ongoing research into mental health and wellbeing.
- Future projects: Striving to develop and implement additional initiatives to promote health and wellbeing at the University.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Decent emphasised the significance of Glasgow Caledonian’s involvement in the UMHC.
He said: “Engaging with the University Mental Health Charter has helped enhance the support for mental health and wellbeing for our staff and students. I am delighted that we are continuing this very important partnership and very much look forward to building on our relationship and further promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.”
Student Minds has highlighted the critical need for mental-health support, reporting that one in three students finds that university life negatively impacts their mental health, while one in four students have a diagnosed mental-health issue. Common challenges include loneliness, the rising cost of living, and the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It is vital that we continue to build on the great work universities have already done in the past two years, learn from one another, and make mental health and wellbeing a priority across higher education," said a representative from the charity.
Central to Glasgow Caledonian’s approach is the active involvement of the university community in shaping its mental-health initiatives. This year, students from the University’s Design for Change module are developing a campaign to highlight opportunities for students and staff to engage in this work.
If you have any questions or wish to get involved, please contact Glasgow Caledonian’s University Mental Health Charter leads via the University Mental Health Charter inbox: UMHC@gcu.ac.uk.
To learn more about the University Mental Health Charter at the University, visit: University Mental Health Charter at GCU.