LSE has started work on the Learn Domain of the University Mental Health Charter (UMHC), as part of the School’s commitment towards adopting a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing.
The Learn Domain is one of four core areas of the University Mental Health Charter Framework, which has been created by student mental health charity Student Minds to provide a set of evidence-informed, best practice principles to support universities.
The Learn Domain focuses on the learning, teaching and assessment environment, including:
- How students transition into university
- How they build academic confidence
- How the curriculum and teaching practices can support wellbeing and inclusion
Other areas of work will include Live (LSE's physical and social environment), Support (Student Wellbeing Services) and Work (staff wellbeing and development).
Collaboration key for collective approach
Collaboration is at the heart of the whole-school approach set out as sector best practice in the UMHC and the Learn Domain worked kicked off with a workshop that brought together colleagues from across the School in order to coordinate activity and build a collective approach to support student metal health and wellbeing through the curriculum.
Attendees included staff from the Eden Centre, Planning Division, LSE LIFE, LSE Careers, Library, ARD, departmental managers and academic staff from Economic History, Economics, International Development and Psychology.
The session, which was facilitated by Dr Claire Gordon, Director of the Eden Centre, and Ben Redhead, Student Wellbeing Project Manager, marked an important first step in understanding how learning, teaching and academic belonging shape student wellbeing, and how the School can build on the strong practice already taking place.
How the Learn Domain will shape the approach
The insights gained from the workshops will feed into the Learn Domain Action Plan which is being developed this term.
Over the next few months, there will be other ways of gathering evidence and examples of practice from departments and professional services, and we’ll share further opportunities for staff to get involved.
Action Plans for all four domains will be presented at the next UMHC Steering Group meeting, chaired by Emma McCoy, Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education), in February.
Read more about the UMHC work taking place at LSE and sign-up to get involved.