I Chose To Disclose
Our campaign to encourage people to disclose (share information about) their mental health condition to their education provider #IChoseToDisclose
#IChoseToDisclose
We hear from Sophie who very kindly shared her experiences with us as part of our renewed #IChoseToDisclose campaign for #UniMentalHealthDay in 2024.
Sophie has given us permission to share the following:
What made you want to disclose your mental health condition?
It was starting to effect my life every single day.
Did you find it difficult to disclose, and why?
I did at first, as I was worried about the stigma that would follow me. I’d also built up an idea of myself that I was strong and not vulnerable to mental health issues.
How did your life change after disclosing? If you received support from your university, what kind of support was it?
It changed significantly. I received an appointment with the university’s counselling service very quickly, who then referred me on to the local NHS wellbeing service, where I then received CBT. The university did offer CBT themselves but were honest that the waiting list was long and were finding alternative pathways for their students.
What was the most positive thing to come out of disclosing your mental health condition?
I was able to learn the tools that now help me to manage my anxiety everyday.
Is there anything you would change about your experience or the support you received?
I wish I had disclosed earlier, and accepted that I needed support. It would have been geographically easier for me to receive counselling directly through the university, but it was very easy to travel to the NHS clinic (a short walk).
Would you recommend disclosing to someone who's going through mental health difficulties?
Absolutely.
Anything else you would like to add?
My university were very supportive and proactive, and I had a fantastic experience of receiving therapy through the NHS.
UMHAN would like to thank Sophie for sharing her experience of disclosure (sharing information about her mental health) at university. Sophie has written about her personal experiences in disclosing, emphasising the role of university's counselling services, as this was the service that was most appropriate for them. It is worth noting that there are a range of professional services available which students have access to including a dedicated wellbeing and/or mental health team.
Background
Although there has been a huge increase in the numbers of students disclosing (sharing information about) mental health conditions over the past five years, a Unite Students Insight Report (2019) identified that of all students who had mental health issues only 53% disclosed their issues to university. This shows that figures of student mental health are underestimated.
Furthermore, an Office for Students insight brief on mental health (2019) revealed that females were 2% more likely than males to report their mental health difficulties to their university. This report also highlighted that students from an Asian background were the least likely to disclose their mental health difficulties.
There is also research to indicate that students/applicants in certain subject areas such as medicine and dentistry and some high tariff and vocational courses are less likely to disclose (Grant et al. 2013; UCAS, 2021; Robertson et al., 2022).
Reports suggest that one barrier to disclosing could be the lack of clarity within the process of disclosure. For more information about this please see our webpage Disclosing a mental health condition.
Our 'I Chose To Disclose' campaign was launched in 2017 to try and dispel myths associated with the perceived dangers and disadvantages of disclosure, and equip current and prospective students with mental health conditions to make an informed and confident decision about sharing information with their university about their mental health.
Read more about our campaign in two recent UMHAN articles: a UMHAN blog written by Charity Manager, Sam Gamblin and a blog for the think tank HEPI by UMHAN's Rachel Spacey and Sam Gamblin for University Mental Health Day, 2024.
Why is it important?
The main purpose of encouraging disclosure of mental health conditions and other disabilities is to ensure that students are able to access additional support they may be entitled to while studying. While not all students who share information about their mental health will need support from specialist services, generally those with conditions deemed to be substantial, long-term and recurring will be entitled to receive Disabled Students' Allowances support. Additionally, these students are protected by the Equality Act 2010, and should be able to access a range of adjustments designed to 'level the playing field' - for example, exam accommodations, alternative assessments or flexible deadlines. And for those students unsure as to whether their condition meets these criteria, disclosure can be a way of finding out.
Half of all mental health issues appear around the age of 15 and then 75% by the age of 24, therefore, for many students their years in education are also a time when they may be coming to terms with a new diagnosis, a mental health condition may be emerging and/or they may be accessing external support for their mental health. By disclosing a mental health condition, students are put in contact with the appropriate support staff professionals at their school/college/ university, and provided with any necessary support. This may include risk/safety planning, liaison with local NHS services, 1-1 support, exam and other teaching/learning accommodations.
UMHAN members, for example, provide student-centred, empowering and empathetic support to students with mental health conditions. In our most recent Member Survey 2023 Specialist Mental Health Mentors describe their most effective strategies which include listening to students, building relationships and employing support strategies tailored to the individual whether that be in relation to their mental health needs or academic needs. Mental Health Advisers often liaise with university staff and departments; provide advice, guidance and signposting to relevant services and help students develop coping strategies.
The Government has recognised that for young people with mental health conditions, early intervention is vital in ensuring their long term health and to stop issues escalating (Dept. of Health and Dept. for Education, 2017).
Our campaign
We want to:
- Increase the information available for current and prospective students about what happens if you disclose a mental health condition to the university
- Remove the barriers and empower students to make an informed decision about whether they choose to disclose or decide not to
- Dispel myths associated with the perceived dangers and disadvantages of disclosure
- Highlight the wide range of support available.
There is no right or wrong decision in disclosing and it is a unique and individual choice.
However, seeking support from a university had a positive or very positive effect on work/study for 78% of students and 74% of staff who had chosen to disclose according to a report from the Equality Challenge Unit (2015).
Take part
If you are a student or recent graduate who has disclosed (shared information about your mental health condition with your education provider) you are very welcome to take part in our 'I Chose to Disclose' campaign.
We will be sharing stories from those who have disclosed a mental health condition via our social media accounts, website and in all the work that we do!
We particularly welcome students we know are under-represented in disclosure statistics, such as men and BAME students and hope to build a bank of positive case studies to share.
We understand not everyone's experience of seeking support is great - we encourage you to feedback directly to the service involved, or speak to your Students' Union for advice.
You can see some examples of stories we have shared in our Blog, under the 'Disclosure' category.
