Looking after Student Mental Health and Wellbeing
Life at University can bring a range of experiences, changes and new opportunities, some of which can be challenging or overwhelming. Students can face significant challenges around the academic pressure, social burdens, financial worries and concerns about their families – as well as problems rooted in their earlier lives.
The University set out a Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan in 2022. As a College, we are ideally placed to deliver a highly-personalised and supportive student experience through our close community, tutorial system and small group supervisions. Since 2021, the Wellbeing Coordinator has been in post to promote and maintain the wellbeing and mental health of Churchill’s students by providing access to activities and support aimed to foster and sustain wellbeing and mental health, both for individual students and for groups of students.
Visit our Student Stories page to read about the research into Mental Health being carried out by current postgraduate student Luisa Fassi (G21).
What support is available to students at Churchill College?
"When I first came to Churchill, the thing that surprised me so much was what a big family it is. You can ask for help from anywhere. There will always be a friendly face for you."
The College's Wellbeing Coordinator, Louise Ranger, provides 1:1 confidential support and advice to our students for matters relating to their psychological wellbeing. Students can self-refer or be referred via a member of teaching or non-academic staff. Once in contact, Louise arranges a meeting to discuss current difficulties students are facing, answer general questions and address any concerns. Triage outcomes include appropriate mental health support services, for example the College's Counsellors or one of the University's services. Students also receive ongoing regular support from Louise where necessary.
In the 2022-23 academic year (in and out of term), Louise met 220 individual students for wellbeing appointments. After discussion Louise then triaged depending on need to various places to include the following; Academic Mentor, Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) Disability Advisor, Coach (ie ADHD/Autism coaching), College Counsellor, Counsellor (Specialist), Counsellor (University Counselling Service), Diagnostic Assessment, Estrangement Support, GP, Hospital Consultant, Mental Health Advisor (MHA), College Nurse, Self-help resources, Study Skills Tutor. In some cases follow up appointments and check-in chats were arranged.
Of these 220 students, 111 referrals were for counselling. The majority of these referrals were to the College counsellors. In general, requests for counselling are in relation to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, but also for more specific concerns such as struggling with transition to University, relationship breakdowns (friends, family, partner), feeling overwhelmed/not coping, and bereavements. Sometimes specialist therapy is required, for example for eating disorders, gender transition and PTSD. In these cases Louise assists students in finding the right therapist and if necessary applying for funding.
The College has three excellent counsellors (two male and one female) who work on a contracted number of hours per year. Two of these are onsite and one works from a central location in Cambridge. Louise triages to these counsellors based on their particular style and specialisms, and sometimes on gender. With College Counselling specifically, students are entitled to six free sessions per year, and a further six at a subsidised rate of £20 per session (or ongoing free sessions for anyone in financial adversity). This provision resets each Michaelmas term. For students who are at home out-of-term, or postgraduate students living out, telephone or online sessions can be arranged.
Louise also helps our students to seek advice from the University's Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) about academic support mechanisms, such as implementing a Student Support Document to include reasonable adjustment for exams (ie. extra time), mentors, study aids etc.
After discussion with Louise, sometimes rather than a referral to a counsellor or service, a need arises for a diagnosis, for example for a neurodiversity such as Autism or an SpLD (Specific Learning Difference) such as dyslexia or dyspraxia. Seeking such a diagnosis via the NHS can be a long process, in some cases there is a waiting list of several years. Although a private provider can offer an appointment much quicker, the cost can range from several hundreds of pounds to several thousands of pounds. An accurate diagnosis can be essential in making sure the right therapy or treatment is received and successful.
As well as responding with maximum effectiveness to low points in students’ lives, we also need a proactive and preventative approach. We are working hard to consider how workload and rising living costs may affect the wellbeing of all students. The College Library has a wellbeing collection, and the College provides self-help advice for students, including tools for management of anxiety/low mood; self-care; mindfulness; problem-solving tools; and nature-based practices. In addition to being here with expert, professional support if crisis hits, we need to enable students to build their own strategies to make the most of their time in Churchill and beyond. There are plans to introduce a series of psychoeducational workshops and talks, which will allow the Wellbeing Service to work in a proactive as well as reactive way.
What will be the impact of my donation?
We want Churchill College to be an environment which is aware and supportive of mental health issues, and which is able to provide care for those who need it now and in the future, so that we can ensure that the best young minds are able to thrive here. Your support will help us to keep working to meet the diverse needs of our student population and the increasing numbers and complexity of mental health challenges our students face.
Donations to this Fund this Giving Day will help the College with:
- accredited mental health professionals to support students facing challenges around their mental health;
- the purchase of specialist wellbeing and mental health services for individuals where appropriate provision is not readily available via the NHS or central University services;
- the provision and promotion of events, workshops and activities that promote wellbeing and good mental health, or which raise awareness concerning challenges to these;
- the disbursement of grants in support of Fellow-, staff- or student-led or procured projects or initiatives likely to benefit students’ wellbeing and mental health;
- training for Fellows, staff and students in respect of wellbeing and mental-health provision or awareness.