The Mentally Healthy Universities Programme was a 2-year pilot supported by Goldman Sachs Gives. The programme ran from September 2019 to August 2021 in 9 universities across England. Universities were partnered with local Minds who delivered the programme. It tested a whole-university approach focused on preventative interventions.
Students were encouraged to participate in sessions on:
University staff were also empowered to participate in Mental Health Champions and Peer Supporters schemes. The programme supported the universities to meet the Mental Health at Work Commitment.
We'll be taking forward the learning and resources created in the programme as part of our strategic priority to work with young people. This will involve reviewing the university environment and those in employment and in-community settings. We won't be continuing the Mentally Healthy Universities Programme from September 2021. Instead, we'll be working directly with young people to explore their mental health needs.
You can find more information on the programme and our resources for universities and students below.
Students and staff members who took part in our pilot programme reported positive improvements in their knowledge, awareness and confidence across various mental health outcomes.
The evaluation report provides more information on the programme, our findings and subsequent recommendations for Mind, the higher education sector and the Government.
View the full evaluation report
The findings from the first year of the programme were really positive. Student feedback included:
Meanwhile, university staff rated our courses highly, and 9/10 would recommend them to a colleague.
The Mental Health at Work Commitment is a framework launched in 2019. The commitment is based on the Thriving at Work standards, pulling from the pledges and measures already out there, using up-to-date research from UK employers and mental health experts.
Thriving at Work was an independent review of mental health and employers commissioned by the UK government. The review was led by Lord Dennis Stevenson and Paul Farmer, Mind’s Chief Executive.
Through the Mentally Healthy Universities Programme, Mind supported our partner universities to meet the Mental Health at Work Commitment. Building on their insights and learning from the pilot, we have developed practical guidance about implementing these standards for the wider sector.
Below you can find the resulting guidance, as well as a summary for senior leaders. You can also find a guide for each standard individually.
Standard Three: Promote an open culture around mental health
Standard Four: Increase organisational confidence and capability
Standard Five: Provide mental health tools and support
Standard Six: Increase transparency and accountability through internal and external reporting
If you are aged 16-24 and are interested in having the chance to influence the work we do next with young people, then please sign up to be part of our Youth Voice Network. Members will get updated on our opportunities to get involved with Mind’s work.