UEL wins University Mental Health Charter Award

The University of East London has become one of only five universities in the UK to be granted the Mental Health Charter Award.

The award, created by Student Minds, recognise universities that have made an ongoing commitment to continually improve the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff.

The charter website said,

These institutions demonstrate their commitment to improvement and developing better practice to have a whole university approach to mental health. We are proud of what they have achieved and the hard work they are doing to make change for their student and staff communities."

The University Mental Health Charter is a framework to support universities in the UK in making mental health and wellbeing a priority. The charter forms the basis of the award, which is a voluntary accreditation scheme.

The journey to accreditation started in 2020, when the University began holding focus groups with students and staff, focused on key areas of the charter.

Earlier this year, the University submitted a self-assessment report, as well as a report from the UEL Students' Union. The charter's assessment team visited the University and conducted a series of panels, interviews, and focus groups with staff and students

The Students' Union were present at some panels and focus groups in the process, and two interns carried out a survey and organised focus groups incorporating the views of over 900 students.

The wellbeing of students is central to the University;s Vision 2028 which recognises "health gain as a pre-condition of learning gain" as a priority.

Nicole Redman, Assistant Chief Operating Officer & Director of Student Services says, "I am absolutely delighted for UEL to achieve this award in recognition of how we prioritise success and support our community to thrive and succeed. My thanks and appreciation to everyone involved to date – I look forward to continuing this journey and improving the mental health and wellbeing of our staff and student community in all that we do."