'It's about creating environments where students feel supported, empowered, and able to succeed'.
A career shaped by a deep commitment to mental health accessibility and inclusivity - UMHAN member, Sharisse Hosein.
Name
Sharisse Hosein
Job Title
Mental Health Coordinator & Co-Lead, Health and Wellbeing Community of Practice
Employer
University College London (UCL)
How long have you worked in student mental health?
I have worked in student mental health for several years, however I moved into HEIs just about two and a half years ago from the NHS IAPT [Improving Access to Psychological Therapies] services.
My journey in this field has been shaped by my passion for supporting young people through complex challenges, helping them develop resilience and reach their full potential.
How long have you been in your current role?
I joined UCL as a Mental Health Coordinator in 2023 and recently stepped into a leadership position within the Health and Wellbeing Community of Practice.
Can you outline your career and how you got to where you are today?
My career has been shaped by a deep commitment to mental health accessibility and inclusivity, particularly for international students, migrants, and marginalised communities. I began working in youth-focused psychology, supporting disadvantaged students with both academic and emotional challenges. This early experience reinforced my belief in holistic support systems that address both mental health and educational success.
I then transitioned into clinical mental health roles within the NHS, where I developed expertise in crisis assessment, risk management, and therapeutic interventions. While this strengthened my clinical skills, I was drawn back to the higher education sector, where I could integrate mental health support within academic institutions. Working at MetFilm School, Birkbeck, and now UCL, I have had the opportunity to shape policies, lead well-being initiatives, and enhance student support services at a strategic level.
Along the way, I took a four-year career break to explore a more entrepreneurial and creative path as a director of a well-being start-up. This experience allowed me to develop business leadership skills, foster innovation in mental health strategies, and achieve a better work-life balance - all of which now inform my approach to supporting both students and staff.
It sometimes feel like my career has come full circle, back to where I started with empowering students to thrive both academically and personally.
How does your experience and training help you to do your job well?
My background in clinical psychology, cognitive behavioural interventions, and organisational leadership has given me the tools to support students effectively. Beyond individual mental health support, my MBA in organisational strategy helps me get into conversations about strategic changes, system-wide improvements, ensuring institutions prioritise well-being at a strategic level.
Additionally, my experience working with multicultural student populations has deepened my understanding of how cultural factors influence mental health. This helps me provide tailored, empathetic, and accessible support to a diverse international cohort.
Can you briefly explain your day-to-day responsibilities?
No two days are the same in student mental health! My work includes:
- One-to-one support for students facing academic and personal challenges
- Risk assessment and crisis management, ensuring students receive the right interventions
- Collaborating with academic staff to address student concerns and provide guidance
- Developing institutional policies around mental health and well-being
- Supporting my peers, sharing insights and feedbacks in meetings to improve our student support and wellbeing services.
What’s helped you to stay in your role?
The students! Supporting them through challenges and seeing their growth keeps me motivated. I also thrive on collaboration, working with academic staff, support teams, and leadership to create a culture where well-being is prioritised.
Additionally, being part of networks like UMHAN has provided professional support, shared knowledge, and a strong sense of community, all of which help me sustain my passion for this work.
What part has UMHAN played in this?
UMHAN has been invaluable in connecting me with like-minded professionals who share a commitment to student mental health. Their resources, forums, and monthly adviser meetings, have helped me stay informed on best practices and emerging trends in the field. I enjoy learning from other services, and believe there is need for more support as the role is becoming more dynamic.
What’s your favourite part of your role?
One of the most rewarding aspects is helping students navigate challenges and regain confidence in their abilities. Working with such a large and diverse international cohort means that every day brings new perspectives, insights, and learning opportunities.
I also love the strategic aspect of my role, where I get to shape well-being policies or develop wellbeing projects that have a lasting impact on both staff and student wellbeing.
What has changed in student mental health since you started your role?
The biggest shift has been the increasing awareness and openness around mental health across universities, and the changes in legislation around student support. Whilst more students are actively seeking support, we are bridging the gap between the external services, and specialist healthcare teams, and managing that wait time to be seen and treated can be challenging. Therefore, the demand for wellbeing services in universities has increased significantly, and the complexity of cases continues to grow, requiring more tailored and multidisciplinary approaches.
What do you think are the biggest remaining challenges?
- Meeting the growing demand for mental health support while ensuring quality, timely interventions
- Reducing stigma among international students, LGBTQ+ students, black and minority ethnic groups who may face cultural barriers to accessing help
- Integrating well-being into academic culture so that mental health is seen as a shared responsibility across institutions.
Have you got any feedback from students that you could share with us?
One student recently shared that my support whilst at university helped them to "feel heard and understood for the first time in their academic journey." Another mentioned that having access to resources they never knew of before, such as group mental health mentoring and reasonable adjustments made all the difference in helping them stay at university and complete their studies.
I had one student who gave her psychiatrist permission to liaise with me, which lead to her accessing crisis support, feedback to me that she was so pleased with the support I offered her.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Student mental health is not just about managing crises and concerns, we have to be more preventative - it’s about creating environments where students feel supported, empowered, and able to succeed. Working in this field is both challenging and deeply fulfilling, and I am grateful to be part of this movement.
