University marks World Mental Health Day as founder member of national programme

On World Mental Health Day 2023 today, University of Gloucestershire is proud to be a founder member of the University Mental Health Charter Programme.

The Charter Programme, led by the UK’s student mental health charity Student Minds, brings together universities committed to making mental health a university-wide priority to share practice and create cultural change.

Universities on the Charter Programme form part of a UK-wide practice sharing network with access to events and opportunities to come together to improve their approach to student and staff mental health.

By joining the Charter Programme – launched in July 2021 – universities have committed to working towards a set of evidence-informed principles of good practice, including a commitment to working with staff and students to provide effective support services, as well as creating an environment and culture that reduces poor mental health and promotes good mental health.

Range of services

The University offers a range of mental health and wellbeing services, including Helpzones providing confidential advice, support and guidance, a counselling drop-in service, and access to a Money Advice team.

Stewart Dove (pictured left), Student Registrar at the University, said: “We’re proud to mark World Mental Health Day 2023 as a founding member of the University Mental Health Charter Programme. 

“This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day 2023 is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’ to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.

“We’re committed to providing all our students with a positive teaching and learning environment that enables them to achieve the most from their studies, and that at the same time facilitates and promotes good mental health and wellbeing.”