Mental Health Briefing 20/2/25

Final ETF Mental Health and Wellbeing Webinar

After three years, the ETF mental health and wellbeing programme is concluding. By the end of March, in collaboration with the FE and skills sector, AoC will have created:

• 18 PDF Resources: Comprehensive guides and toolkits
• Nine webinars: Engaging sessions with sector leaders and experts.
• Nine blogs: Personal and thought-provoking articles covering various topics.
• Eight podcasts: Insightful and inspiring discussions.

To conclude this powerful and authentic conversation, we offer a final webinar on Wednesday 12 March 10:30am-12pm, to provide space to reflect on the journey we have taken over the lifespan of this programme.

This final webinar marks the end of the chapter where leaders across the sector will share their stories as they reflect on how their organisation has adopted and developed strategy and culture over the last three years.

This interactive roundtable session will invite participants to consider how their learning environment and leadership has evolved over the past three years, and to commit to the next chapter, as we continue our journey for positive mental health and wellbeing for all. Book your place by visiting the ETF website: Mental Health and Wellbeing | ETF Booking.

Student Mind's New Resource Pack for Trans+ Students

‘Life as a trans+ student’, is a new resource pack on Student Space, run by Student Minds featuring advice and reflections about navigating academic life as a transgender and/or non-binary student.

Research has shown that transgender and non-binary students are more likely to experience mental health difficulties compared with their cisgender (non-trans) peers. 61% of non-binary students report experiencing mental health difficulties (2024 Student Mental Health Study - Cibyl) and over 50% of trans students feel lonely either most or all of the time (Student Academic Experience Survey 2024 - HEPI). This needs to change.

How can you helps trans+ students?

Please do share these resources with trans+ students at your college, so that they are aware of this support. Student Minds have put together a comms pack which provides information about the resources and how you can share it with your community. This includes some handy assets in both English and Welsh such as newsletter blurbs, printable posters, and social media posts.

Additionally, they have put together an insights briefing, summarising key findings about trans+ student experiences from both internal and external sources.

Learn more about support supporting trans+ students - webinar

Student Minds will also be hosting a webinar for education staff and organisations/charities who support trans+ students to learn more. The webinar will explore the key themes identified during the creation process, their experience of co-creating interventions with students themselves, and how those who support trans+ students can utilise the resources.

The webinar will take place on 26th March 2.30pm-3.30pm. Sign up for free today: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bnKrKQdCTWyRE0jUPh2DQw

If you have any questions please contact the Student Space team at studentspace@studentminds.org.uk.

Together we can improve the experience of trans+ students as they navigate academic life.

The AoC Mental Health Charter Framework

The Charter, created by AoC in partnership with college leaders and senior mental health leads, is an updated version of the original published five years ago. The framework enables and supports colleges across England to affirm their commitment to staff and student mental health and wellbeing, by signing up to good practice principles and standards. The original 11 principles remain but are now embedded across four themes that make up the updated Mental Health Charter framework:

1. Leadership and ethos: Through authentic leadership, model and champion an inclusive culture that meets the needs of the college community. Embed a consistent and co-ordinated whole-college approach to mental health through effective governance and leadership, that ensures wellbeing permeates all aspects of college life.

2. Support for students: Foster a physically and psychologically safe and welcoming environment that promotes wellbeing and proactively supports students’ mental health throughout their learning journey.

3. Workplace wellbeing: Nurture a culture that supports and invests in people and their wellbeing and create an exceptional working environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and can thrive.

4. Evidence and impact: Deliver and develop services, policies and strategies which are responsive to research and evidence of lived experience and community need. Provide transparent accountability through consistent and effective mechanisms, regular evaluation and reporting, and ensure there is a partnership approach to college activity.

Each theme is clearly linked to the relevant Department for Education principles of a whole-college approach to mental health, and supplementary guidance on how to use the charter framework will be provided to colleges.

If you would like to sign up to the charter, please email mentalhealthcharter@aoc.co.uk.