Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity, assesses and awards universities and their services (including SUs) for a charter mark called the University Mental Health Charter that acknowledges excellent practice in a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing provision and wellbeing support for students and staff.
The University Mental Health Charter has a rigourous framework with evidence-informed principles to help universities create a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing. Achieving the Award highlights where universities are doing well and creates an action plan for future improvements, giving us guidance on where we can continue improving the experience for everyone in our university community.
Falmouth University and the University of Exeter have been successful in achieving the Mental Health Charter and we’re proud to share in their success having contributed hours of time talking with students about their experiences, taking part in panel interviews with the assessors, and writing and contributing to reports on the student experience.
There are only 23 holders of the Award and Falmouth is the first specialist creative arts institution.
Jadelle Luckman and Fina Day contributed to their respective universities’ charter by gathering student data and getting your voices heard. Jadelle led on writing the student submission for the charter for Falmouth University and Fina collaborated with the Exeter Guild to contribute the Cornwall student experience to the overall student submission for the University of Exeter.
On the announcement of Falmouth’s award, President Falmouth, Jadelle Luckman said: "It was an honour to support the university in achieving recognition from the University Mental Health Charter. I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside student reps, the Vice Chancellor, university staff, and FX Plus colleagues. The experience highlighted for me just how vital student support is, not just as a service, but as a foundation for student wellbeing, growth, and success. Being part of this process reaffirmed the value of listening to students and building a community where mental health is truly prioritised. Congratulations to Falmouth on receiving the award!”
Thank you to all the students who came to focus groups and responded to surveys. Your experience has been heard by our Universities and we’re looking forward to working together to continue improving your university experience through representation, listening, and co-creation.
If you have any thoughts you would like shared, please reach out to your sabbatical officer team.