After the government announced a three-year funding commitment for the Student Minds charity, mental health activists said there is still a great deal of work to be done.
After the government pledged additional financing for student mental health services, activists warned there is still a long way to go to support young people and prevent suicide.
Student Minds has secured a three-year funding commitment of £262,500 per year from the Office for Students and the Higher Education Funding Council of Wales to expand Student Space.
The platform provides students with one-on-one mental health help as well as web, phone, and text services.
The cash comes after the government provided £3 million to assist the NHS in working more closely with universities to provide mental health care to students.
However, activists assert that there is still a long way to go in providing pupils with the finest available mental health services.
Ben West, an advocate for mental health, told: “So many kids I speak with don’t know what’s available, and even if they do, they’re presented with it in such a strange manner that there is so much fear about visiting.
This is such an obstacle to seeking assistance.
Moreover, he noted that disparities exist amongst colleges.
Mr. West said: “It varies drastically between universities.
“Some of the universities I’ve observed and heard about are excellent in terms of the help they provide, while others are completely ineffective.
We require considerably more government control and supervision.
Natasha Abrahart committed suicide in 2018 during her second year at the University of Bristol.
As the strain surrounding oral university evaluations increased, her social anxiety worsened, and her well-being diminished.
Her predicament was communicated to her department.
Her father, Robert Abrahart, told that Natasha’s roommate had informed personnel that the student was experiencing suicidal thoughts and had already attempted suicide.
He said: “At that point, one would expect people to recognize the issue and take action.
“They assisted her in getting to the primary care physician, but did nothing else in the department.”
Her mother Margaret Abrahart further stated: “I believe they were hesitant to approach her for fear of offending her.
However, they appear okay with placing her in a scenario that would be quite traumatic.
Her parents then learned that she had made more attempts to get assistance.
Mr. Abrahart stated, “There is evidence that she searched the internet for solutions to her difficulties.”
Her mother continued: “It is terrible to observe her trying to solve her difficulties.
It was simply one of those difficult things, and she needed assistance.
In the end, a landmark court decision determined that the university’s shortcomings contributed to Natasha’s death.
The University of Bristol stated at the time that staff worked hard and attentively to support her and that it is committed to providing students with the greatest possible support.
The university is contemplating an appeal of the court’s judgment.
The case generated discussions on the mental health of kids, and Natasha’s parents continue to advocate so that other students do not endure the distress she did.
There are also concerns regarding the mental health training provided to student-facing personnel.
It was found that 98 percent of institutions provide mental health training for personnel who interact with students.
However, 67 out of 107 institutions, or 63 percent, do not need it.
And while 37 percent, or 40 out of 107, have some type of mandate, in the majority of instances, this does not apply to all employees.
Peter Kinderman, a clinical psychologist, told that understanding mental health must be mainstream.
He said: “All university employees, including cleaning workers and lecturers, should have a responsibility of care for their pupils.
“It should be ingrained in university operations.
If colleges are evading their responsibility to comprehend and assist students mental health, then I hold them accountable.
