Mental health and well-being

Advice on effective mental health support for students and staff. Find out how universities and academics can protect their campus community from spiralling stress, minimise the risk of burnout and build resilience - from institutional practices that create a culture of care to personal self-care tips for overworked academics.

By kiera.obrien, 16 April, 2025

Three ways to spot someone struggling – and six ways to support them

Institutional policies can only go so far when it comes to mental health. Find out how to spot a student or colleague in crisis – and what you can do to help

Reading time

5minutes

By kiera.obrien, 9 April, 2025

What will it take to find a real solution for the student mental health crisis?

A young woman puts her hand to her temple at her laptop

Fixing the student mental health crisis will require systemic change, not just individual coping strategies. Here’s how to take action and foster a culture that puts well-being before academic achievement

Reading time

5minutes

By kiera.obrien, 4 April, 2025

Create an environment where good mental health can thrive

How can surroundings affect the mental health of students and staff? Follow these tips to make sure the university environment supports mental well-being

Reading time

4minutes

By Laura.Duckett, 4 April, 2025

Not all students want to fit in, but every student wants to matter

Students holding hands around a glowing orb

Making students feel they matter can dramatically improve lecture attendance. Here are ways to do it

Reading time

5minutes

By Laura.Duckett, 3 April, 2025

Creating a culture of belonging with inclusive pedagogy

Students in a group walking together on campus

Building cultural humility and meaningful relationships with students are two of several strategies to foster belonging in students from minoritised backgrounds

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien, 31 March, 2025

How to scale up well-being and support services

A young woman talks to a therapist earnestly

With demand for student support services skyrocketing since the pandemic, how can universities address this need? Discover five ways to scale up

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 28 March, 2025

Beyond exam panic: rethinking the purpose of assessments

College student hiding face under book, exam stress

If students frame assessments in terms of stress, not learning, this raises the question: are universities evaluating students’ growth or simply their ability to perform under pressure?

Reading time

4minutes

By Laura.Duckett, 28 March, 2025

What does empathy look like in the classroom?

Wooden blocks, one with the word "empthy" inscribed on it

How to demonstrate empathy for students – and self – to improve classroom interactions and ensure equity

By kiera.obrien, 27 March, 2025

Let’s make the university a safe space to discuss sensitive topics

Students engage in a lively classroom debate

Public debate is becoming ever more polarised, both on and offline. But higher education has an opportunity to lay out a blueprint for healthy dialogue, starting in our classrooms – here’s how to do it

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 27 March, 2025

What trauma-informed practice is not

Illustration of head jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing

Before trauma-informed care can be the norm across all areas of the university, academic and professional staff need to understand what it is. Here, three academics debunk myths and demystify best practice

Reading time

4minutes

Mental health and well-being