Westminster academics run virtual event about caring for university students’ mental health and wellbeing

The event was welcomed by Dr Nina Smyth, lead of the HIW Research Community, and opened by the University’s Vice-Chancellor and President Dr Peter Bonfield, who emphasised the importance of mental health and wellbeing, highlighting that it is our shared task to try to do the most we can to support each other.

The event’s first speaker was award-winning GP, author and educator Dr Dominique Thompson, who spoke about the societal pressures faced by young people who are increasingly struggling with mental health issues, even prior to the pandemic. Dr Thompson spoke about how to provide support while building young people’s independence, and highlighted the importance of ‘listening, believing and giving hope’ to validate young people’s experiences. Hannah Davies, Psychology MSc student working at Wandsworth Carer’s Centre discussed the carers’ journey in caring for someone living with mental health difficulties. She gave examples of the issues and barriers faced by carers, as well as the value of peer support groups.

Dr Jonathan Kasstan, Lecturer in French and Linguistics, was the third speaker of the event, and spoke about his research on the healing nature of language. Attendees then heard from an individual who shared their experience of caring and supporting a loved one experiencing suicidal feelings, and the emotional impact it had on them as a carer/supporting figure. The morning talks were closed with a Q&A led by Dr Jay-Marie Mackenzie, where questions focused on peer support and how to best support carers in their role.

The afternoon talks began with a session led by Doctoral Researcher Laura Culshaw who spoke about her project CHERISH and her research which focuses on understanding self-harm amongst university students. Dr Kathryn Waddington then presented her new book ‘Towards the Compassionate University’, and spoke about the skills of self-compassion and self-care as prerequisites for developing compassion within organisations.

Sally Olohan, Head of Student Support and Residential Life at the University of Westminster, spoke about student wellbeing and the strategies to support students, as well as the importance of partnerships with student unions. Westminster’s Head of Culture and Inclusion Andy Norris closed the afternoon’s talks, where he spoke about co-creation with colleagues at Westminster to build a university that has wellbeing and safety at its core.

In the afternoon Q&A session topics covered included how to recognise warning signs, top tips on supporting friends and loved ones and how we can create a ‘wellbeing reservoir’. Dr Tina Cartwright closed the event with an experiential session on breathing techniques to support mental health and wellbeing.

The event was attended by individuals working in the university, carer and mental health charity sector as well as counsellors, wellbeing advisors, students, and persons with lived experience of caring for someone who may be experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

Talking about the event, Dr Nina Smyth said: “Supporting someone experiencing mental health difficulties presents unique challenges. The talks highlighted the different layers of support and the importance of being seen and having a voice as well as self-care and compassion at both an individual and institutional level.”

Laura Culshaw added: “For me, I think this event really highlighted the diversity of what it can mean to be caring for or supporting someone. Being able to talk about this and hear from so many different backgrounds and perspectives was really eye-opening and a great learning experience.” 

Find out more and watch recordings from the event on the CHERISH Support website.