Beyond the Student Mental Health Crisis: A Collaborative Transatlantic Symposium

Consistent data over the last two decades has highlighted an increase in mental health problems among students - in the UK alone 39% of students say university life has had a negative impact on their mental health. More recently this has included university staff, leading to narratives of a mental health crisis in higher education. 

Yet there is still much that we don’t understand. It is unclear what factors are contributing to this rise, and whether the way we talk to students about their mental health - including discussion of the crisis itself - might be contributing to the problem.

It’s also unclear whether the increase in reporting of mental health problems is due to societal factors, such as students’ exposure to media and research, and how much is due to reduced stigma and better awareness. Is it also possible that, in some cases, we may be using the language of mental health problems to explain or understand distress that, while profoundly difficult to experience, is normative?

And yet, there are still large and growing numbers of students asking for support. So how do universities navigate this landscape and define responsibilities across the education, community, health and social care ecosystems? 

This symposium, jointly organised by the partner organisations listed below, wanted to create an opportunity to allow institutions and others another way of responding to the reported mental health crisis they’re facing. 

It will introduce the most recent research and progress our understanding of the factors affecting mental wellbeing in the higher education community and beyond. The symposium will be an opportunity to assess whether current approaches are effective in meeting the needs of students and staff, or whether they’re unintentionally creating more problems than they’re solving.

We think it’s time to have an honest conversation about all this and we would welcome you to join us.