University chief calls for action on mental health

The vice chancellor of a university in Kent is urging the government to prioritise the mental wellbeing of students.

Prof Rama Thirunamachandran, of Canterbury Christ Church University, said he had seen a rise in the number of students with mental health conditions following the Covid-19 pandemic.

His plea for action has been backed by a mother from Cranbrook whose daughter took her own life while in the second year at Newcastle University.

The Department for Education (DfE) said it would recruit 8,500 more mental health workers across children's and adult services.

One in three university students have poor mental wellbeing, while a quarter would not know where to find support, a survey from mental health charity Student Minds suggested recently.

Prof Thirunamachandran said institutions needed additional, targeted funding to support them.

He said the responsibility had fallen to educational institutions to “plug the gap” as the NHS was struggling to cope.

“This is not about fees, this is not about a general grant – but a specific funding stream to support student health and wellbeing,” he said.

“That needn't be huge in the context of government spending. But that would make a difference to all universities and the students.”

Hilary Grime, whose daughter Phoebe, 20, took her own life while studying at Newcastle University in 2021, said she believed student wellbeing support should be “part of the package” at university.

“It’s not about them being parents to the students, it’s about making sure they have the support within their university environment,” she said.

“It’s hugely lacking and they need more investment.”

She added: “If they carry on at this rate, less and less people will go to university.”

A DfE spokesman said it would open drop-in mental health services in every community for young people.

“Every young person should be able to access the support they need to thrive in life,” he said.

“We have asked the Office for Students to allocate £15m of funding next year to enhance mental health services at universities, ensuring students have access to the timely and effective support they deserve.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can visit the BBC's Action Line or contact the Samaritans.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.