The Mental Health Foundation Scotland is calling on college students living in Scotland to share their experiences to help improve mental health and wellbeing support at colleges across the country.
Thriving Learners is the largest ever study of student mental health in Scotland. It is hoped at least 10,000 college students from the 26 colleges and further education institutions will participate in the survey.
Julie Cameron, Associate Director at Mental Health Foundation Scotland, said: “We’re asking college students all over Scotland to get involved in our Thriving Learners project. We know that in the past two years the pandemic has had a huge impact on student wellbeing but even before that there were challenges, and also opportunities to improve student mental health and the support available.
“We’re eager to hear from students about their experiences, both positive and negative. We want to learn from their knowledge and ideas about what works and what’s needed to prevent and support mental health problems at college.
“It’s fantastic that Colleges Scotland and all 26 colleges in Scotland are involved. This is a real opportunity for us to better understand and revolutionise mental health support for all students within our colleges.”
This is the second phase of the Thriving Learners study which is led by Mental Health Foundation in partnership with Colleges Scotland and Universities Scotland, with funding from The Robertson Trust. Over 15,000 university students took part in the first phase of the study in 2021, with the findings used to create a series of recommendations to improve mental health support and provision across the whole sector.
It is anticipated that the results of the college study survey and subsequent recommendations for mental health support within colleges will be available later this year.
Jon Vincent, Principal, Glasgow Clyde College and Lead Principal for Mental Health on behalf of the College Principals Group is encouraging students to take part in the research: “The pandemic has been an immensely difficult time for college students across the country. As Scotland moves into a recovery phase many learners are still experiencing the challenges of the past two years.
“This research will only take a few minutes to complete, but it will provide a national picture for the first time of the mental health of Scotland’s college students. If students can get involved, it will help us plan the support and services that future students will need. It’s also important that we capture the experience of students who have been learning at home, in blended courses and who have had less chance to engage with their friends on campus.”
Participants will also be offered the chance to be entered into a prize draw with three students at each college winning a share of £150.
To find out more and participate in the survey, visit our Thriving Learners page.
Ends
For further information and interview requests please contact Claire Fleming at Mental Health Foundation Scotland on email [email protected] or phone 07511 076 870.
Notes to editors
About the Mental Health Foundation
- Our vision is of good mental health for all.
- The Mental Health Foundation works to prevent mental health problems.
- We drive change towards a mentally healthy society for all, and support communities, families and individuals to lead mentally healthy lives with a particular focus on those at greatest risk.
- The Foundation is the home of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Scottish media contact
For out of hours urgent press enquiries, please call 07511 076 870.
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