Student Minds Mental Health Charter
Sally Ingram, Director of Student and Colleague Health and Wellbeing, highlights the vital efforts of students and colleagues in aligning our university-wide approach to student mental health with the Student Minds Mental Health Charter Framework.
21 February 2025
What is the Student Minds Mental Health Charter framework?
This framework, developed by Student Minds, the UK's student mental health charity, supports universities in enhancing their approach to student and colleague mental health. It offers a structured method for institutions to assess and improve their policies, practices, and overall culture surrounding mental health and wellbeing.
Key Aspects of the Mental Health Charter Framework
The framework emphasises a comprehensive university-wide strategy, ensuring that mental health is considered in all areas of university life, including academics, support services, and social environments.
The charter is based on the principles of institutional commitments, co-production, inclusivity, and continuous improvement.
It outlines essential areas where universities should focus their mental health strategies:
· Leadership, Governance & Strategy: Institutional commitment and accountability.
· Support Services: Effective, accessible mental health support for students and colleagues.
· Learning, Teaching & Wellbeing: Creating an academic environment that supports wellbeing.
· Community & Belonging: Encouraging inclusive, supportive student communities.
· Transitions: Helping students adjust to change (e.g., starting university, interruption of studies, graduation).
· Colleague Wellbeing: Recognising and supporting colleague mental health.
· Research & Innovation: Encouraging evidence-based practices and research in mental health.
Charter Award
Our Mental Health Steering Group, chaired by our Academic Registrar Lucy Backhurst, has been preparing Newcastle's application for the Student Minds Mental Health Charter Award. The award process provides an assessment as to how well we are meeting the framework's standards, makes recommendations for continuous improvement and provides accreditation to institutions demonstrating excellence.
We have scheduled the submission date for January 2026 and will keep you updated on our progress through articles written by key members of the steering group.
This month, the steering group was strengthened by the addition of two student colleagues, Ruby Herrington (stage 3 Psychology) and Alwin Jose (stage 4 Civil Engineering). They will take the lead in coordinating student perspectives and will author the independent Student Voice report as part of our submission.
As we strive to implement a university-wide approach to mental health, we encourage all colleagues to join us in this effort, by completing our online Mental Health & Wellbeing Awareness training and supporting the work of the Mental Health Steering Group.
If you're interested in collaborating with the steering group, please reach out to Kristy Johnson who is co-ordinating our work Kristy.Johnson1@newcastle.ac.uk