We are now in the process of linking with other groups and services. If you are interested in these exciting new changes please do contact me at


THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE OF HAVE DONATED THEIR TIME, INSPIRATION, ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM OVER THE YEARS!


WHAT IS STUDENTS IN MIND?

Students in Mind is a new national charity specifically for students in Further and Higher Education. The charity will establish various projects/ services in order to promote positive mental health. See below for our mission statement and details of each project.

                                Students in Mind Mission Statement

Students in Mind is a socially inclusive charity which is available for all students in Further Education and Higher Education. Students in Mind is committed to providing a high standard of sensitive support to both the student volunteers working for the charity and the students using the Students in Mind services.

The ultimate goals are:

ü Using the web based service we aim to guide students experiencing varying degree’s of mental distress to the right support by giving a range of options and choices.
ü  To act as an advocate by making sure services recommended are current and finding out when appointments are available etc.
ü  To listen carefully to students and to design the services that the students want.
ü  To highlight and encourage student creativity for example to promote student designs for new services, student debate, sharing of art, poetry and music.
ü  To value and encourage all students who come into contact with Students in Mind to gain confidence in their own abilities and if appropriate to learn new skills.
All of our work involves fighting the stigma and taboo which still surrounds mental distress. Please share you thoughts and ideas with us, enrol as a volunteer, make a donation – we can’t do this without you…

Our First Project – The Signposting Service:-

The first Students in Mind service is an early intervention strategy based on unique evidence which will offer advice, advocacy and empowerment to students who may be experiencing varying degrees of mental distress.
It is a socially inclusive service which will be free at the point of use and easily accessible to its target group. It will bridge the gap between its service users and the professional services complementing a joined up mental health services approach.

Students in mind is being designed and guided by students and a team of professionals from a variety of backgrounds with the aim of becoming a well co-ordinated proficiently evaluated and accountable service.

WHY IS IT DIFFERENT?
Firstly in that it will act as a 'stepping stone' to further help by encouraging the students who contact us to access the most appropriate support from the most relevant supportive services. Information will be given about their local services including groups and societies, suggestions of ways of planning for appointments and in certain circumstances with the user's permission the volunteers could act as advocates by contacting a service directly on behalf of the service user.
Secondly the service will be user led.
Thirdly it will be available to all students including international students and those carrying out short vocational courses. Students in mind will share and highlight good practice across the sector

IT'S NOT A REPLACEMENT?
It is not designed as a replacement for existing services but rather as a complementary service which informs, guides and encourages students to use the available services.
To visit the signposting service click here.

Project Two - Come and chat in Emma Pickering's Student Forum

Supporting the work of Emma Pickering and her student forum called Student Survivors. This forum will be moderated and regulated by the Students in Mind charity.

To find out about Emma Pickering and why she set up the Survivors Board, click here

To visit the forum click here.

Project Three - Your Creations

An online platform which is fully moderated by trained student volunteers. Students from around the country can share their poetry, music and arts. This project is supported by the British Poetry Society, Brighton School of Modern Music, University of Chichester, University of London and other professionals in media and design. To visit ‘Your Creations’ click here.

Project Four - The Sensory Lounge

A fantastic project the first of its kind. A lounge is being designed thanks to the Design Trust in London for London students. The lounge will be at the University of London Union in Malet Street. Click here to see the latest designs and find out more about the prestigious designers.