Mental Health: Delivering Improved, Integrated and Accessible Services
- 27 February 2014
- 08:30 - 16:30
- Contact us for venue
In partnership with
In Partnership With
This conference will break-down the cultures, economic factors, social and institutional pressures contributing to dramatic rises in disclosures of mental health issues at universities and student suicides.
Delegates will explore why more students are turning to unconventional incomes like gambling and sex work during their studies, how the university experience can compound cultural and environmental conditions that lead students to access and supply drugs; and discussing how cross-institutional co-operation as well as legislative review of attitudes towards information sharing could prevent students reaching a point of crisis.
Student Mental Health: Responding to the Crisis is our third national conference bringing together domestic and European HE institutes, students, academic/policy researchers, health, social care and counselling services to develop pragmatic approaches to:
Persecutory perfectionism is a blight on the mental health of students. In his presentation at November's conference, Alan Percy introduced delegates to his 'Committee Theory of Self'; a concept that positions the 'Self' as Chairperson of an unruly, conflicted committee that, unless appropriately disciplined, will be overrun by the dominant, persecutory voice of the 'dictator'.
In the conference keynote, Alan, Head of Counselling at Oxford University and Visiting Professor in Psychology at Fudan University, Shanghai, will expand on his committee metaphor - discussing how the pursuit of a balanced, democratic resolution to marginalise the aggressive voice of the committee's persecutory 'dictator' is essential in improving student mental health.
Dr Leah Moyle has worked on two research papers that spotlight the changing nature of drug markets, drug dealing and cultures of drug use amongst young people. Leah's articles '#Drugsforsale: An exploration of the use of social media and encrypted messaging apps to supply and access drugs' - the first academic investigation into mobile apps in drug markets - and 'Student transitions into drug supply: exploring the university as a risk environment' asses multiple factors in how young people access drugs; as well as how universities can compound cultural and environmental conditions that lead students to becoming drug users.
Leah's presentation will integrate findings from both papers, including:
White university students in the UK are, on average, more likely to leave university with a First or upper Second-Class degree than those of other ethnicities. This is referred to as the BME attainment gap. Afua Acheampong conducted research into the experiences of BME students at Nottingham Trent University and contrasted the results with the institutes existing data in order to develop an approach to addressing the gap. The research, comprised of 19 one-to-one interviews with BME undergraduate students, submissions from 98 academic representatives of mixed ethnicities, consultations with Nottingham Trent University staff and SU officers, as well as reviewing feedback from attendees of the NTSU's Black History Month event - informed a 23,000 word report, concluding with recommendations for the university to proactively tackle attainment issues. Afua's work has been made available to the university's governance in order to align it with the institute's Race Equality Charter and form an action plan.
This presentation will cover the findings from Afua's research project - exploring how the attainment gap impacts the mental health of BME students and propose recommendations to expand knowledge, strengthen representation and raise awareness of issues restricting BME attainment.
At the Safeguarding Students: Addressing Mental Health Needs conference in Manchester, Megan offered insight into the benefits of utilising peer support as a means to tackle the growing demand for improving student wellbeing. In this presentation, Megan will build on her recent first hand experience of being a student and unpack the University culture and problems that can arise, such as peer pressure, bullying and cliques; attainment issues and isolation of minority groups. The presentation will also delve into the emotional pressures and stress that staff are under and how the use of screening can ensure students access the right support.
Lee Fryatt is an Inspector at Hampshire Constabulary with 30 years of operational experience, including responding to critical incidents, youth offending and police custody management. He has broad experience of responding to people suffering with mental health conditions who are at a point of crisis in their life. Lee’s family has been personally affected by the devastating impact of suicide, when in September 2018 his eldest son, Daniel ended his own life just after starting University.
Combining his professional capabilities and lived experience, Lee has developed a considered approach to the role of confidentiality and data sharing between universities and families based on the principle of public interest to protect outweighing institutional fears of breaching data sharing policies. This presentation will cover:
Deborah and Tracey are Co-Directors of the Consortium for Sexuality Studies and were awarded £489,000 by the Big Lottery Innovation Grant for their 'Student Sex Work Project' - pursuing the development of innovative research, service development and creative dissemination. In addition to their research, Deborah and Tracey have hosted the Student Sex Work Conference, Sex Work Symposium and Sex Work Policy Group at Swansea University.
Findings from The National Student Money Survey suggest a dramatic rise in undergraduate students engaging in conventional sex work - having sex for money, as well as unconventional sex work such as 'sugar dating' and selling digital content of a sexual nature whilst at university. The number of students surveyed that disclosed having partaken in sex work doubled since last year. An additional 6% of students said they would consider sex work if they were in need of emergency cash. Experts have warned that students engaging with sex work at university risk developing anxiety around disclosing negative experiences due to the stigma associated with it - potentially leading to isolation from peers and depression.
This presentation will not look to stigmatise sex work but instead, inform delegates on the common routes into student sex work and break-down specific challenges that student sex workers face; as well as proposing high-impact policy recommendations that can protect students in sex work.
Synopsis coming soon...
A hot, two-course lunch consisting of multiple options will be provided for delegates. We cater for all dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten/dairy-free; just notify us ahead of time should you have any allergens or requirements.
Jessica Hyer, The University of Manchester - Founder, Support for Student Sex Workers (confirmed)
Wahida Ashiq, Leeds Beckett University - Founder, Great British Mag (confirmed)
Speaker TBC
Speaker TBC
Synopsis coming soon...
Speaker TBC
Speaker TBC
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Our flexible and modern venue is situated over three floors, alongside two relaxing restaurants. The two large conference suites that can accommodate up to 300 people, are both conveniently located next to networking and exhibition space. Additional smaller meeting and training rooms range in capacities from 10 to 300 ensuring that Prospero House is perfect for any size event.
The venue is equipped with state-of-the-art AV, plasma screens and superfast wifi and they even include all the little touches that help make your event a success, such as flip charts and delegate stationery. An event team is on hand to ensure any event runs smoothly, and the in-house chefs produce freshly prepared lunches, breakfasts and all day snacks. Its fantastic location, opposite Borough tube station and a short walk from London Bridge and trendy Borough Market, means its ideally suited for clients both North and South of the river.
