The Role & Impact of Specialist Mental Health Mentoring on Students in UK HEIs

Anna Matthews, UMHAN's Chair, also runs the University Mentoring Organisation (UMO) a non-profit social enterprise which has been providing Specialist Mental Health Mentoring to a number of universities for over 10 years. 

This White Paper evidences the very positive impact Specialist Mental Health Mentoring has on the functioning, performance and experience of students with mental health conditions. 

UMHAN Trustee, Dan Doran, writes: 

"UMHAN welcomes insights and evaluations from practitioners and users of services to continue to inform “what works” in student mental health. Reflective of work undertaken to establish quality specialist support, this evaluation from the University Mentoring Organisation represents an important snapshot about such provision - for those both familiar and new to this type of learner support available."

Rosie Tressler, CEO of Student Minds says:

"This paper provides a valuable and timely addition to our landscape of understanding by articulating the tangible benefits that Specialist Mental Health Mentoring can have as part of a whole university approach to student mental health. Its exploration of how SMHM can positively influence key performance indicators for higher education institutions, such as attainment, retention, and skills, will surely pique the attention of a range of sector staff. The improvements to one’s readiness for life after university, reported by student participants, will also be of interest to any person within or beyond our sector invested in the long-term mental wellbeing of the millions of university students in the United Kingdom, both now and in the future."

UMHAN was delighted to host the launch for the white paper on 12th January 2021.