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  5. Stepchange: mentally healthy universities

About this framework

Illustration of a female student walking across a street

Mental health is foundational to all aspects of university life, for students and staff. First published in 2020, our guidance asks all universities to adopt mental health as a strategic priority.

Who is this framework for? 

This guidance is for senior leaders to help them put in place a strategic approach to mental health and wellbeing in their universities.

It might also be of interest to staff working in student support and wellbeing in universities, and for anyone who cares about mental health in higher education.  

How to use this framework, online or as a pdf

Promoted content

Publication

Stepchange: mentally healthy universities

Download this report as a pdf

You can use this website to explore the framework and links to other resources. 

You can also download this framework as a pdf, as it was first published. 

Working alongside other frameworks and guidance 

This framework overlaps and works with other guidance and charters for mental health in higher education. 

The University Mental Health Charter 

The University Mental Health Charter was created by Student Minds. It was made in partnership with leading higher education bodies, including Universities UK, and thousands of staff and students. 

Suicide-safer universities

We have published a series of guidance for universities to prevent and respond to student suicide. 

You can explore the full guidance on the publication page. 

Explore the guidance
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Why mental health should be a priority

Stepchange: mentally healthy universities

  • About this framework
  • Why mental health should be a priority
  • Whole university approach
  • Enabling a whole university approach
  • Improving mental health in universities
  • Working with the NHS

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Related

Suicide-safer universities

This guidance, first published in 2018, supports UK universities to prevent student suicides. We have published guidance on supporting placement students and information sharing. 

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