Guidance and frameworks
-
Wellbeing When Writing training materials
University of Westminster
A collection of resources to support providers who wish to develop workshops to support research students with writing skills relevant to different stages of their research, with the aim of reducing writing-related stress and anxiety.
-
Workshop for supervisors (pptx)
Queen Mary University of London
Together with the Charlie Waller Trust, the university has developed a workshop for supervisors that includes guidance on recognising signs of poor mental health, practical advice on talking and listening to students in crisis and highlights the importance of caring for your own mental wellbeing as a supervisor.
-
The Future of Student Mental Health conference illustration
University of Birmingham
A visual representation of the key outputs from the Pause@UoB project as well as thoughts and suggestions by partners across Birmingham on how student mental health can be better supported across the city.
-
Newcastle University
A collection of resources produced as part of the Brighter project, including a project report and workshop content.
-
Clinical governance for mental health services
Newcastle University
This clinical governance guidance, published by the University Mental Health Advisers Network, was adapted from a document originally produced by Dr Lucy Robinson as part of the Mental Health Challenge Competition project led by Newcastle University.
-
Parent, guardian and teacher resources
University of Lincoln
Guides that provide information, tips and tricks to use with pupils or children. These guides talk about mental and emotional wellbeing and provide links to support services that may be helpful.
-
University of Lincoln
Resources to support you in running an emotional fitness and self-care workshop.
-
University of Lincoln
Resources to support you in running a looking ahead after further education workshop.
-
University of Lincoln
Resources to support you in running a skills workshop, focusing on time management, prioritising and procrastination.
-
University of West London
A toolkit designed to contribute to the scalability and sustainability of the project by sharing experiences and lessons learned, disseminate the activities developed so far, and to support in developing culturally competent interventions.
-
De Monfort University
‘Building Bridges to Wellbeing’ project resources for staff, outlining evidence-based initiatives to help staff increase access to Wellbeing Services within universities.
-
Positive Digital Practices resource hub
The Open University
A resource hub produced by Positive Digital Practices, including a Pedagogies Library, ways to support students to develop study confidence, wellbeing curricula, and best practice assessment guidance for part time, commuter, distance and mature students.
Reports, academic papers, and evaluation
-
University of Oxford
A report including a literature review and information on research undertaken in relation to the Peer Support Programme for postgraduate research students.
-
Pause@UoB: Evaluation report (PDF)
University of Birmingham
An 'ebook' that summaries the Pause@UoB project. Detailing who used Pause, the interventions it included and user satisfaction.
-
Participatory digital approaches to embedding student wellbeing in higher education
The Open University
A paper presenting the digital ‘Wellbeing Pedagogies Library’ at the University of Warwick and the ‘Mental Wellbeing in Distance Learning’ project at the Open University.
-
University of East Anglia
A rapid review of literature on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of postgraduate researchers.
-
Literature review summary (PDF)
University of East Anglia
A summary of the rapid review of literature on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of postgraduate researchers.
Case studies
-
Faculty of Social Sciences postgraduate research placement case study (PDF)
University of East Anglia
Workshops designed and run by a postgraduate researcher to explore publication skills and what research culture means to postgraduate research students.
-
University of Suffolk postgraduate research placement case study (PDF)
University of East Anglia
A programme of work undertaken by a postgraduate researcher to develop a research culture and community among postgraduate research students.
-
Workshop to help overcome barriers to effective support case study (PDF)
University of East Anglia
A workshop asking postgraduate research students and staff to share their experiences and suggestions to address the question 'What stops universities supporting PGR mental health and wellbeing effectively?'
-
Courage Festival public statement case study
University of East Anglia
A resource setting out the recommendations that have developed from the Courage project.
-
The Lakeside View postgraduate research blog (PDF)
University of East Anglia
Aims and outcomes of a blog written by and for postgraduate research students
-
Walk and Talk case study (PDF)
University of East Anglia
A programme of walks that supported postgraduate research students to undertake low-commitment physical activity whilst discussing postgraduate research and wellbeing.
-
PhDiggers and UEA Silent Space case study (PDF)
University of East Anglia
A project combining the establishment of a Silent Space in a campus garden with ongoing allotment work carried out by postgraduate research students.
-
University of East Anglia
A low-commitment running group for postgraduate research students.
-
PGR Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator case study (PDF)
University of East Anglia
The establishment of a PGR Mental Health and Wellbeing coordinator role with responsibility for a range of activities in this area.
-
Emotional intelligence training (PDF)
University of East Anglia
Emotional intelligence workshops delivered for postgraduate research students as part of their personal and professional development.
-
Action learning case study (PDF)
University of East Anglia
Action learning training for postgraduate research students to encourage peer support and learning as part of their personal and professional development.
-
Yoga for the mind case study (PDF)
University of East Anglia
A course on yoga and mindfulness techniques as tools for promoting wellbeing during the research process as part of personal and professional development.
-
Mental Health First Aid case study (PDF)
University of East Anglia
Mental Health First Aid training provision for postgraduate research students as part of their personal and professional development.
-
Courage Festival case study (PDF)
University of East Anglia
A festival to culminate and share the work of the Courage project, with a focus on public engagement.
-
Bullet journaling case study (PDF)
University of East Anglia
Work piloting bullet journaling as a tool for postgraduate research students in managing their time mindfully, with the aim of strengthening wellbeing and resilience.
-
Wellbeing content for research supervisor development (PDF)
University of East Anglia
Developing training for supervisors in supporting the wellbeing of their students as part of supervisor professional development.
-
Supervisor support package case study (PDF)
University of East Anglia
Development of resources, workshops, and measures to support supervisors in understanding mental health and wellbeing and how to support this for their supervisees.
-
Postgraduate research supervision and examination (PDF)
University of East Anglia
Development of a module on the supervisory relationship as part of the MA in Higher Education Practice programme, which is undertaken at least in part by all academic staff.
-
Case studies for supervisors (PDF)
University of Portsmouth
A collection of case studies prompting supervisors to consider appropriate responses when supporting postgraduate researcher mental health.
-
Mental health analytics: An innovative approach to understanding students’ wellbeing
Northumbria University
This project used innovative integration of technology, advanced educational data analytics, student relationship management and student support to develop understandings of student mental health needs. It offered early intervention by way of 'nudges' that signposted appropriate service support.
-
Suicide prevention and data analytics
Northumbria University
This project aimed to develop and enable mental health analytics (MHA) to evidence student mental health needs. It used these analytics to offer early intervention via ‘nudges’ that were targeted, carefully crafted email communications to students which signposted appropriate support.
-
A community development approach to supporting students’ emotional health
University of Birmingham
This project took a proactive community development approach to supporting student mental health across campus at the University of Birmingham. It focussed on physical services and one-to-one interventions.
-
University of Lincoln
This project implemented digital interventions to support students in their transition from school or college into university. It embedded a student co-production model to allow student ownership of the design of digital resources and tools, as well as in their evaluation.
-
A peer education project for sustainable improvements in student transitions
University of Sussex, Mental Health Foundation
For this project, the University of Sussex and Mental Health Foundation worked with students to co-produce five workshops delivered by students. The result was a peer education programme aimed at improving student transitions.
-
Collaborative approaches between higher education and the NHS to support student mental health
University of the West of England, Bristol
To improve student support for students, this project established partnerships between higher education providers and the NHS in five cities. It developed a toolkit of practical advice to assist other regions in developing similar partnerships.
-
Enhancing student mental health through innovation and partnership
University of Birmingham
This project created a hub of qualified therapists and volunteers. It used their knowledge of mental health to provide brief, therapeutic interventions for students in comfortable, safe spaces.
-
University of Bradford
This case study explores how the University of Bradford used digital innovation and student-led initiatives to encourage South Asian students to engage with mental health provision.
-
‘Just like me’: Supporting the mental health of LGBTQ+ students through creative activities
University of Central Lancashire
To support the mental health of LGBTQ+ students, the University of Central Lancashire developed the Creative Mental Health Framework (CMHF), a multi-disciplinary programme of creative initiatives led by students, academics and partners.
-
Supporting mental wellbeing remotely with a 3D immersive virtual reality environment
University of Liverpool
A case study showing how a virtual reality environment could help support mental wellbeing for students on placements.
Example student-facing resources
-
University of Derby
A collection of resources to support postgraduate research students with their mental wellbeing at different stages of their research.
-
University of Plymouth
A series of workshops designed and delivered by postgraduate researchers.
-
University of Sussex
A leaflet for postgraduate students suggesting different strategies for self-care.
-
'Looking after yourself' workshop slides (PDF)
University of Sussex
Presentation materials from a workshop for postgraduate researchers on caring for their mental health during coronavirus lockdown.
-
Year 1 PhD: Getting the best start: workbook (docx)
and slides (pptx)Queen Mary University of London
A training session for PhD students
-
Year 2 PhD: Keeping up the momentum: workbook (docx) and slides (pptx)
Queen Mary University of London
A training session for PhD students
-
Year 3 PhD: Crossing the finishing line: workbook (docx) and slides (pptx)
Queen Mary University of London
A training session for PhD students
-
University of Liverpool
An app to support in determining which experiences and memories to hold onto and which to let go of, including how these choices will benefit personal wellbeing.
-
University of Liverpool
An app to support in tracking moods to help users better understand their own wellbeing.
-
Self-help Anxiety Management (SAM) app: Android, Apple
The University of the West of England, Bristol
The University of the West of England, Bristol: Self-help Anxiety Management (SAM) app
-
University of Birmingham
Wellbeing recordings, self help challenges and ideas for student welcome weeks.
-
Psychological therapies training and research clinic
Newcastle University
Information on a cognitive behavioural therapy service for students.
-
University of Lincoln
A podcast created by students, for students where hosts discuss different topics each episode, from budgeting to deadline and time management to homesickness.
-
University of Lincoln
Guides written for students and staff at all levels of higher education. Covering topics such as managing digital wellbeing and organising summer schools.
-
University of Lincoln
YouTube channel featuring videos from students, discussing their own experiences and offering advice for their peers.
-
Transitioning into higher education
University of Lincoln
A webpage about transitioning into higher education along with videos about what prospective students can anticipate as they enter university.
-
University of Sussex
The #BehindtheBooks university campaign aims to help students talk about their mental health, realise when they're struggling, provide tips on ways to cope, and normalise the ups and downs of university life.
-
U OK? Peer education workshops
University of Sussex
U OK? Is a series of student-designed and student-led workshops.
-
University of West London
The University of West London teamed up with current students and members of the community to create specific support groups for Black, Asian and ethnic minority students. The groups explore how racial and cultural stressors influence mental health and wellbeing, and suggest ways to manage these challenges.
-
University of West London
Video recordings of a series of wellbeing and mental health chats, hosted by the ‘People Like Us’ project and involving partners from West London NHS Trust.
-
Building Bridges to Wellbeing- project resources for students
De Monfort University
‘Building Bridges to Wellbeing’ project resources for students, including what’s on, self-care resources, crisis support and more.
-
The Black Students Mental Health Project
London South Bank University (LSBU)
A collection of mental wellbeing resources, including blogs, podcasts and videos, which have been created by the Black community within London South Bank University (LSBU) in partnership with Good Thinking.
-
Black students' peer mentoring handbook
London South Bank University (LSBU)
A guide created by South Bank Students’ Union as part of the Black Students Mental Health Project on how to make the most of participating in a mentoring programme for Black students.
-
OfS Black Students Mental Health Project @LSBU
London South Bank University (LSBU)
A series of podcasts run by students. The episodes provide advice about how to manage mental health, wellbeing and challenges as an LSBU student. The series reflects the aims of the Black Students Mental Health Project at LSBU.
-
Black students: The mental health impact of racialised experiences
London South Bank University (LSBU)
A guest blog by the Black Students Mental Health Project at London South Bank University (LSBU). It addresses issues that affect the mental health of Black students at LSBU, and contains practical advice for coping with these challenges.
-
OfS Black Students Mental Health Project @LSBU
London South Bank University (LSBU)
The YouTube channel of the Black Students Mental Health project at LSBU.
-
ACM Guildford
Many Hands provides a peer-to-peer mentoring service for students seeking early intervention support for their mental health and wellbeing. It is designed for students who are mature, or from Black, Asian or ethnic minorities, or studying a creative subject.
-
St Mary's University
A programme for undergrads who are the first in their family to attend university or are studying without other forms of familial support. It was co-created with students with lived experience of studying without various forms of familial support.
-
Care Experienced Students Programme
University of Roehampton
The CLASS transition programme offers care experienced students starting their studies at London-based universities support and guidance on university life, mental health, and academic success.
Describe your experience of using this website