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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:
Mental health issues amongst young adult students have increased dramatically in the last decade.
This isn’t just a national phenomenon, it’s global.
Causes include:
- Perfectionism
- A culture of competitiveness
- 24/7 “instant” society
- Social media
Mental health issues amongst young adult students have increased dramatically in the last decade. This isn’t just a national phenomenon, it’s global. Causes include:- Perfectionism
- A culture of competitiveness
- 24/7 “instant” society
- Social media
How can HEIs communicate student MH needs to future employers?
Consent, GDPR big obstacles
Students see new environments as a “fresh start” - “no-one needs to know my problems”
Need to encourage students early on to have those important conversations and seek help
Consent, GDPR big obstaclesStudents see new environments as a “fresh start” - “no-one needs to know my problems”Need to encourage students early on to have those important conversations and seek help
Then encourage them to have those same conversations when transitioning to a new environment, i.e. pre-reg placement. The person on the receiving end of that conversation (lecturer, tutor) needs training for that situation. This is a worthwhile & necessary investment IMHO
We can’t always resolve the issue straight away - but we can give hope and buy time, whilst working towards a resolutionHandling these situations requires patience & compassion. If you don’t have those, maybe give tutoring a miss and stop recruitingWords 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:
Person protection trumps data protection
Reframe questions to obtain consent
Parental involvement important & desired
Person protection trumps data protectionReframe questions to obtain consentParental involvement important & desired
Summary - MH in students & pre-regs is “a thing” & 
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
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
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
