What is the University Mental Health Charter?
The University Mental Health Charter is a national framework created by Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity – approximately 118 universities across the UK have joined. It was developed in partnership with staff, students and higher education experts to help universities take a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing, and provides a nationally recognised framework to help universities build environments where both staff and students can thrive.
The Charter sets out 100 Principles of Good Practice across five broad areas of university life (Domains):
| Domain |
Area of work |
| Learn |
Transition into university, progression and the learning, teaching and assessment environment |
| Support |
Access to safe, effective and joined-up services |
| Work |
Staff wellbeing and staff development |
| Live |
Social connection and a healthy campus environment that promotes wellbeing |
| Enabling Themes |
Leadership, strategy and inclusion |
The Accreditation Process
Universities that join the programme work towards these principles before applying for accreditation. The process includes self-assessment, student-led evaluation and evidence gathering, helping each institution reflect on what’s working well and where improvements can be made.This will be compiled into a submission docment. A Student Minds assessor will then review the submission and complete a campus visit to develop their reccommendations and provide a final award outcome.
Steering Group
A Steering Group has been set up to guide LSE whole school approach, current membership includes:
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Chair – VP and PVC Education– Emma McCoy
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Associate VP and PVC Education – Mark Hoffman
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LSE Student Union – Isobel Howe (Welfare and Liberation Officer)
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LSE Student Union –Sachin Bhopal-Myers (Activities and Communities Officer)
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LSE Student Union –Grace Brockhus (Head of Student Communities and Partnerships)
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Departmental Managers–Louisa Lawerence (Sociology) and Jennie Stayner (Economic History)
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Academic Reps –TBC
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UMHC Lead – Ben Redhead (Student Wellbeing Project Manager)
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Learn Domain Lead - Claire Gordon (Director of the LSE Eden Centre)
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Support Domain Lead –Venitia Stoby (Deputy Head of Student Services - Wellbeing)
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Work Domain Lead –Lisa Morrow (Head of HR Policy and Employee Relations)
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Live Domain Lead – James Greenwood (Head of Residential Life)
Join the UMHC stakeholder group
Sign up below to stay involved in LSE’s work towards University Mental Health Charter accreditation. You’ll receive occasional updates, call-outs for examples of good practice and opportunities to share your views. We want to stay in touch with staff and students across all parts of LSE.
Sign Up