Greater Manchester universities mental health service
Greater Manchester is home to around 125,000 university students – the largest number of any city region in England, with the majority attending either University of Manchester or Manchester Metropolitan University. Most students are under the age of 24.
The Greater Manchester University Mental Health Service is a partnership between The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Salford, University of Bolton and Royal Northern College of Music and GM ICB with the clinical service being provided by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
The service operates from a central clinic in the heart of the University of Manchester Oxford Road campus with satellite clinics at the University of Salford and University of Bolton.
The service supports students with complex mental health needs throughout their higher education journey, supporting them to fulfil their academic ambitions and have a positive university experience. As students move into higher education they may be embarking on independent living for the first time and move to new cities, and make new friends, they often move away from their homes and usual support networks which can result in them slipping through the gaps in the health system when they are most vulnerable. A minority of students enter higher education with a pre-existing mental health condition making the transition to university potentially difficult and disruptive to existing informal support or formal care.
The service aims to provide timely intervention that is tailored to the unique needs of the student population. The service works in collaboration with the wider wellbeing and counselling services in each of the partner universities as well as maintaining close relationships with local statutory and VCSFE partners. An over-arching aim of the service is to prevent students “falling between the cracks” of university and NHS services at a time when they are often away from the support they may get at home.
The service offers a comprehensive range of individual and group interventions. They are a multi-disciplinary team including a psychiatrist, psychologists, senior mental health practitioners and mental health practitioners.
Leaving home to go to university is a hugely exciting time for young people. Most make the transition without needing mental health support, but some students need help with the stresses and strains of academic life. The Greater Manchester Universities Mental Health Service plays a vitally important role in supporting young people who may be struggling and helping them to reach their ambitions. Tim McDougal, Deputy Director of Nursing and Governance at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust:
Feedback from students:
- Thank you so so much for all you have done for me. Our sessions have been of immense help to me, particularly because they helped me learn more about myself and how to take better care of my body and mind.
- I hope you know just how significant your work is. What you do is truly changing and dare I say saving people’s lives. I truly wish you never forget how much you are helping others.
- The service really helped me at a time I needed it. I learned skills that I now use everyday outside of the service. I couldn’t recommend the service and the therapist I received enough. It has been an excellent service.
- Thank you for everything you have done for me over the past couple of years- without it I definitely would have dropped out in 2nd Year and wouldn’t now be preparing to start my first job as a staff nurse!