This document proposes five targets to improve mental health and wellbeing at universities in the UK. It calls for universities to publicly support these targets through acknowledgement and declaration. The five targets are: 1) All universities have a mental health policy; 2) All universities offer mental health training for students and staff; 3) All universities adopt a "whole-university" approach to mental health; 4) All universities have a mental health committee; 5) A national committee is formed to provide guidance on university mental health.

1. Friday 3 February 2012
Charter For University Mental Health & Wellbeing
This document proposes five targets that, collectively, can create better conditions
for university staff and students. It calls for higher education institutions and support
organisations to back these targets through public acknowledgement and a
declaration of intent.
1. All universities to have a mental health & wellbeing policy
A regularly reviewed, and publicly available, document that outlines how the
university intends to support the mental health & wellbeing of it’s members, and that
provides a framework and strategy for implementation. (As recommended by the
Royal College of Psychatrists, 2011)
2. All universities to offer mental health & wellbeing training for
students/staff
A program that introduces students and staff to the topic of mental health and
wellbeing, prevailing attitudes, how to support one’s own wellbeing, how to identify
problems in others, and the available services. Staff should also be taught to factor
student mental health into the design of curriculums, departmental policies, and
teaching methods. (As recommended by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2011)
3. All universities to adopt a ‘whole-university’ approach to mental health &
wellbeing
A whole-university approach - as thoroughly outlined in the Healthy Universities
guidance papers - recognises the broad and holistic conditions that determine the
mental health & wellbeing of university staff & students. It strives, therefore, to
integrate and bring into alignment relevant agencies and activities in accordance
with the World Health Organisation’s ‘Healthy Settings’ approach. (As recommended
by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2011)
4. All universities to have a mental heath & wellbeing committee
A group that regularly meets to discuss relevant policy, services & promotion
concerning mental health & wellbeing; and which includes representation from the
student community, and staff across the institution, in keeping with a whole-
university approach.
5. A national committee for university mental health and wellbeing
For all universities to have access to guidance and advocacy through a national
committee that contains representation from university staff, student unions, the
student community, and relevant public and third sector bodies; meeting regularly,
providing a forum for debate, acting in the interests of staff and students, and
providing universities with recommendations and guidance.
References
Royal College of Psychiatrists, (2011).Mental Health Of Students in Higher Education.[online]
www.rcpsych.ac.uk/publications/collegereports/cr/cr166.aspx
Healthy Universities Project. Leading And Developing The Whole System Universities
Approach.[online] http://www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk/
World Health Organisation.Healthy Settings. [online] http://www.who.int/healthy_settings/en/