Not done a thread before but at the request of @hadar_zaman1, here goes! The other day I attended a conference about safeguarding students with #mentalhealth needs. It was geared towards universities but perfectly applicable to employers recruiting pharmacy pre-reg trainees.

My take-homes:

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone"> Mental health issues amongst young adult students have increased dramatically in the last decade.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone"> This isn’t just a national phenomenon, it’s global.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone"> Causes include:
- Perfectionism
- A culture of competitiveness
- 24/7 “instant” society
- Social media

How can HEIs communicate student MH needs to future employers?
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone">Consent, GDPR big obstacles
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone">Students see new environments as a “fresh start” - “no-one needs to know my problems”
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone">Need to encourage students early on to have those important conversations and seek help

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone">Then encourage them to have those same conversations when transitioning to a new environment, i.e. pre-reg placement.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone">The person on the receiving end of that conversation (lecturer, tutor) needs training for that situation. This is a worthwhile & necessary investment IMHO

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone">We can’t always resolve the issue straight away - but we can give hope and buy time, whilst working towards a resolution
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone">Handling these situations requires patience & compassion. If you don’t have those, maybe give tutoring a miss and stop recruiting
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone">Words matter - think!

The most moving talk was delivered by Lee Fryatt, a police Inspector who lost his son to suicide soon after starting university. My key learning points:

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone">Person protection trumps data protection
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone">Reframe questions to obtain consent
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📣" title="Cheering megaphone" aria-label="Emoji: Cheering megaphone">Parental involvement important & desired

Summary - MH in students & pre-regs is “a thing” & https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Upwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Upwards arrow"> common. Not excluded to certain professions. Pre-regs can be supported but tutors are in dire need of training. Passing it off as snowflakery is probably highlighting ones own inabilities. We must normalise these conversations

HEIs & employers should try to work closer.

I hope this is of some use to someone. Would welcome your thoughts & suggestions. Thank you @openforumevents & speakers for a great event.

@asafdar1 @hayley_gorton @PharmaSupport @NHS_HealthEdEng @TheGPhC @rpharms @drmahendrapatel