Charter Programme
The University Mental Health Charter Programme
The University Mental Health Charter (UMHC) Programme is for universities that want to join a community of institutions committed to embedding a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing.
The UMHC Programme supports universities as they work towards the Principles of Good Practice laid out in the University Mental Health Charter Framework and create lasting cultural change to become places that promote the mental health and wellbeing of all members of the university community.
Programme members can access:
- 4 in-person one-day conferences, each focusing on different themes within the Charter Framework
- Regular online sessions sharing Student Minds insights and exploring specific elements of the UMHC framework
- Community of Practice events sharing experiences and facilitating peer learning
- Annual “UMHC Journey Review” with Student Minds to discuss your progress towards a whole university approach and embedding the principles of good practice
- University Mental Health Charter Award Assessment >
The mental health of university students and staff has been a focus of increasing concern in the UK. The UMHC Framework and Programme adopts a non-prescriptive model that encourages universities to consider how the Principles of Good Practice apply in their specific context.
The Principles of Good Practice span 18 themes which are mapped against the 4 domains and enabling themes of Stepchange: mentally healthy universities. These serve as a reference point for universities to consider their activities against and inform ongoing enquiry and debate, driving continuous improvement.
Programme Members are provided with the opportunity to undertake an Award Assessment, having their work evaluated against the UMHC Framework by external peer assessors. Assessment Teams produce a report highlighting areas of work contributing to positive impacts on mental health and wellbeing, while providing recommendations to drive continuous improvement.
Benefits of a whole-university approach
A commitment to a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing has the potential to lead to a range of positive outcomes for your university community, including:
- Improved mental health and wellbeing outcomes for students and staff
- Improved student recruitment, retention, satisfaction, progression, attainment and employability
- Improved staff performance, reduced sickness absence, lower staff turnover and higher levels of creativity
- Meet requirements of health and safety, equality, employment and consumer legislation and national HE funding and regulatory bodies
Join the Programme
23/24 Programme registration is closed.
Registration for the 24/25 Programme will open Spring 2024.
What our members say
Sarah Littlejohn, Head of Campus Life, The University of Manchester
“The Charter Programme has given an additional focus and impetus to our existing institutional priority of student and staff mental health and wellbeing. It has also provided us with a real opportunity to build on our developing practice of working in partnership with students in this area, alongside the sharing of good practice across the sector.”
Ravteg Singh Dhesi, Director of Student Welfare, Aston University
“Being an early signatory to the University Mental Health Charter has allowed us to take a step back and focus on our strengths, but more importantly, areas for improvement and development and support us in achieving our goal of a university-wide approach to supporting student and staff mental health.”
Toby Chelms, Head of Student Support and Wellbeing, Leeds Trinity University
“The Charter has enabled us to invest time in reflecting on the progress we’ve made as a community over the last few years; to take pride in our work and each other whilst recognising the journey we have ahead and bringing in closer working between colleagues (inside and outside of the University) for the benefit of our Students.”
Nic Streatfield, Deputy Director of Student Support, University of East London
“The process of measuring ourselves against the charter’s principles of good practice has been really useful. We have brought together more than 1200 staff and students to help us understand our current position. When you have time to pause and reflect against benchmarks, rapid improvement can take place. Whatever level of award we receive, the Charter work has already paid dividends in our journey to a whole university approach to wellbeing.”
Charter Resources
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