University Mental Health Charter Award for Essex

The University of Essex is proud to have achieved the University Mental Health Charter (UMHC) Award after demonstrating its comprehensive, whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing.

The awards are organised by Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity, and there are now 26 award-holding universities, all working to build a higher education sector in which all members of the university community can thrive.

Rachel Lucas, Director of Student Life and Institutional Lead for the UMHC Award at Essex, said: “Working with Student Minds towards the achievement of the University Mental Health Charter Award has been refreshingly collaborative and supportive.

“The focus on learning, testing new ideas and improving the student experience, alongside encouraging a whole-institution approach to wellbeing, has enabled real innovation and change.

“Working on the Charter is a continuous journey, and the award is not a destination, just a staging post. The UMHC has given and continues to give a framework within which to explore, develop and promote positive change. The broader community of practice Student Minds facilitates is an enormous help in this regard and something that Essex really values and will continue to draw on as we build on our achievement in gaining the Award.”

Building Communities of Practice

Dom Smithies, Head of Influencing and Communications and one of our Award Managers, shared: “We are incredibly proud of the universities receiving their UMHC Award and commend the leadership and effort it has taken to improve the lives and experiences of their staff and students.

“Institutions putting themselves forward for the UMHC Award are showing a true commitment to improving the mental health and wellbeing of their communities. They’re showing real courage and vulnerability in sharing their successes and challenges so that we can support them on their journey of continuous improvement. Through this process, we can see the improvements across the sector and the true culture change we’re achieving in ensuring a future in which everyone in higher education can thrive.

“To achieve an Award outcome is a significant indication that the institution is working successfully towards the Principles of Good Practice set out in the UMHC Framework and truly taking a whole-university approach to mental health. Whilst the Award doesn’t mean an institution is perfect, it signifies the institution is sustaining its commitment to mental health, working to continuously improve and embed good practice across all areas of the institution's activity.

“We’re seeing instances of excellent and sector-leading practice that we’re able to highlight and celebrate. Through the UMHC Programme and the Library of Learning, we’ll ensure the whole sector can benefit and learn from this innovation through the Programme’s events, case studies and our Communities of Practice.”

What is the University Mental Health Charter Award?

The UMHC Award is a nationally recognised voluntary accreditation for UMHC Programme Members, recognising universities committed to embedding a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing.

The process involves a self-assessment and an onsite visit to explore the university’s approach to the UMHC Framework’s Principles of Good Practice. Universities are assessed by a team of peer Assessors with expertise and extensive experience of working and studying in the sector.

Following the Award Assessment, every university is provided with a detailed report highlighting Good and Excellent Practice and recommending further actions they can take to continue to improve their whole-university approach.

Gaining a UMHC Award is just one step on an institution’s journey to working towards a healthy and happy student and staff population. Award holders continue to develop their approach and share learning with the wider sector as part of the UMHC Programme.

Find out more on the Student Minds website.