The OfS today has released guidance on MH provision saying:

“Where interventions have been provided online, providers should comprehensively audit and review these interventions to understand what has been effective, for who and why, including seeking student feedback” 1/9

This is in the context of online support and provision necessitated by Covid19. But how Universities comprehensively “audit and review” mental health interventions has always been an area of interest to me 2/9

Even in “normal” operations, it’s often unclear to Sabbs in SUs what impact and effectiveness analysis is done on their Universities student services style provision. This is a line of enquiry always worth pursuing with your institution 3/9

Do they gather some kind of baseline ‘wellbeing’ data of a cohort at the start of the year to gauge the potential need/demand of a year group? 4/9

Do they analyse genuine impact of clinical provision (eg. CBT) to indicate whether the support actually *helps* students? 5/9

Do they gather “customer service” style feedback? Are students satisfied with the ‘customer’ journey from first point of contact to case closed? Equivalent of tapping the green smiley face through airport security 6/9

How do they measure impact of the non-clinical ‘wellbeing provision’ that is often used as a first port of call before referral to CBT or other clinical services? Are the pre-reqs they require of advisors enough for students needs? 7/9

As more Universities contract out online/virtual counselling, does the partnership with that third party allow you assurances of the services efficacy? How are you assured it’s helping students who use it rather than fobbing them off to reduce demand on the institution? 8/9

And crucially, what governance structures are in place in your institution to allow oversight of your MH provision? Do they annually report into a committee? Does the governing body receive assurances of the service’s efficacy? 9/9

OfS guidance doc: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/news-blog-and-events/press-and-media/impact-of-coronavirus-on-projects-supporting-student-mental-health/

For more in-depth and knowledgable resources on student mental health and provision, check out the work of the wonderful @StudentMindsOrg