Mental Health support in Higher Education
Inquiry3
The Children, Young People and Education Committee is holding an inquiry into Mental
Health support in Higher Education.
Background
to the inquiry
The issue of mental
health in higher education was raised by a number of stakeholders as part of
the Committee’s consultation on priorities for the Sixth Senedd. It was also an
issue considered as part of the Committee’s scrutiny of the Tertiary Education
and Research (Wales) Bill, and the Committee indicated their intention to
revisit the issue. At its meeting on 29 March 2022, the Committee agreed to do
an inquiry looking at the effectiveness of support for students’ mental health
and wellbeing; as well as the ongoing impacts of the pandemic and changes to
teaching and learning practices.
Terms of
Reference
>>>>
Extent of
need
>>>The current situation with regard to the mental
health of students in higher education, and any particular challenges they face
with their mental health and ability to access support.
>>>Whether there are different challenges with
regard to mental health for different groups of students, and if there are any
groups of students in higher education who are disproportionately affected by
poor mental health.
>>>The effect, if any, that Covid-19 had generally
on students’ mental health and well-being and the pandemic’s impact on the
levels and type of support provided by the higher education sector.
Identification
and provision
>>>How
effectively higher education providers promote an ethos of universal good
mental health and well-being to all students, and whether this an integral part
of the learning experience and interactions with staff.
>>>How
effectively the sector ensures early identification of students who need
individual and targeted support.
>>>How
effectively the higher education sector and the NHS work together to deliver
the right mental health support for individual students when and where they
need it.
>>>Whether
there are specific issues with access to NHS mental health support, for example
the impact of changing GPs more frequently; that many students are at an age
where they are transitioning from CAMHS to adult mental health services; any
issues with data sharing.
>>>How
well the wider post-16 education sector works to promote good mental health,
particularly with regard to transitions.
Welsh
Government policy, legislation and funding
>>>How
effectively the Welsh Government’s policy, funding and regulatory arrangements
for the sector support the mental health of students in higher education, and
whether there is more that the Welsh Government could do.
>>>In
the context of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill, what a
whole-system approach to mental health and well-being in post-16 education may
look like, and what the role of higher education and healthcare providers would
be.
>>>How
the new Commission for Tertiary Education and Research should approach mental
health and wellbeing for students in higher education, and in the wider
tertiary education sector
Recommendations
for change
>>>Whether
there are any recommendations that the Committee should make.
<<<
Evidence gathering
The Committee took oral evidence in
September 2022. More information on individual evidence sessions can be found
under the meetings tab at the top of the page.
At the start of September, a survey
was launched aimed at students and recent graduates from Wales to submit their
view. We received 254 responses; a summary of the responses has been published.
In the autumn term, we held focus
groups to discuss in-depth the inquiry with students. As part of this
engagement, we found out about current and recent students’ experiences of
welfare support; the main challenges students face; the impact of mental health
on their learning and higher education experiences; and what improvements they
would like to see made. A summary of the discussions will be published in the
New Year.
The report will be published in
Spring 2023. This will allow time for the Committee to take account of the findings of work by the Welsh Youth
Parliament; and the Health and Social Care Committee’s report on mental health
inequalities.
Consultation
The Committee launched a call for
written evidence on 12 July 2022. The consultation closed on 07 November 2022.
All responses have been published.
Support
The theme of
this survey is a sensitive topic. If you would like support we recommend you
contact the following charities:
Childline:
0800 1111
Meic Cymru: 0808 80 23456
Mind Cymru: 0300 123 33 93 or info@mind.org.uk
Hafal : 01792 816 600/832 400 or email hafal@hafal.org
Beat Cymru: 0808 801 0433
Community Advice & Listening Line (CALL): 0800 13 27 37 or text 'help' to
81066
Samaritans: 116 123
Business type: Committee Inquiry
First published: 12/07/2022
Documents
Consultations
- Mental Health support in Higher Education (completed)