The Greater Manchester Universities Student Mental Health Service – a partnership between Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH), NHS Greater Manchester, and the region’s five universities – has been hailed a success.
The service – which is open to students at the University of Bolton, University of Salford, University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal Northern College of Music – provides mental health assessment, support and treatment to students, so that they can fulfil their university experience and ambitions.
The service works closely with existing university mental health services (such as University Counselling and Wellbeing services) and other mainstream mental health services (including voluntary and community organisations) to provide a joined-up approach to preventing students across the region from ‘slipping through the gaps’.
Dr Timothy Alnuamaani, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Greater Manchester University Student Mental Health Service team, GMMH, said: “As students move into higher education, they may be embarking on independent living for the first time, moving to new cities and making new friends. They are often moving away from their usual support networks. They may also not be registered with a GP in the university area, or may move address frequently.
“All of this means that students are more likely to slip through the gaps in the health system when they are at their most vulnerable. Our service has been successful in filling those gaps, and ensuring that students receive the right mental health support at the right time so they can go on to thrive.”
The service launched in September 2019 – just months before the start of the COVID pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, the service stayed open and continued to offer face to face and online appointments. Support and treatment such as group therapy also continued online.
Since the launch, over 960 students have been supported by the service.
Jenny Clough, Director of Student Service at Manchester Metropolitan, said: “The health and wellbeing of our students is always our top priority, and it is through this partnership that we have been able to provide an even greater level of support to students who may require it.
“Working alongside the University’s Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing service, it has provided a joined-up approach to mental health to help those students who may need enhanced and timely support to access the right NHS services in Greater Manchester – services that are suited to their individual care needs.
“We know the service has been able to provide significant benefits for students and wellbeing teams. We look forward to continuing working together so students can receive the best possible care when they may need it.”
Greater Manchester was one of five regions to pilot a university model. Following this success, in June 2022, the Department for Education announced that up to £3 million will be invested over the next academic year to roll the model out across the country.
