University Mental Health Charter
LJMU have been Programme Members of the University Mental Health Charter since 2021, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our students and staff.
What is the University Mental Health Charter?
Developed by Student Minds, the UK’s leading student mental health charity, the University Mental Health Charter is an evidence informed framework designed to support universities to take a whole institution approach to improving the mental health and wellbeing of the university community.
Student Minds vision is that by adopting the Charter principles, universities become a place where students and staff can thrive.
A whole university approach
The Charter Framework is divided into 18 themes, and grouped into 5 domains which include:
Learn: inclusive teaching, learning and assessment practices and supporting students to transition into, through and out of university.
Support: ensuring Student Services (including wellbeing, mental health and counselling provision) are safe, effective, accessible and well governed.
Live: covers the physical environment of the university and residential accommodation. This theme also includes reducing loneliness and promoting a sense of belonging.
Work: staff wellbeing initiatives, including access to mental health support and staff development, including training and opportunities.
Enabling: creating a university culture which reduces poor mental health and promotes good mental health.
What does this mean for LJMU?
Whilst we hope the LJMU experience is a positive one for every person in our university community we acknowledge that many aspects of work and study can impact on our wellbeing.
As a Programme Member we have made a visible commitment to continuous improvement. By adopting the Charter principles, we are taking an evidence-informed approach to create a more inclusive university environment. We have established a cross-university group to coordinate this work.
How to get involved
We want to hear from you! Do you have an example of good practice that you’d like to share? Do you have an idea or suggestion of how we could improve our practice? Or is there something you think the university could do better? Please email our Charter Project Officer to tell us more.
If you’re planning a team event and would like to include information about the University Mental Health Charter and how it relates to your area of work, please email our Charter Project Officer.
For queries related to a specific Charter Domain please contact the relevant Domain Lead.
Charter Role: Enabling Themes Lead
Yvonne Turnbull – Director of Student Advice and Wellbeing
Charter Role: Support Domain Lead
Rob Michael-Phillips - Head of Student Support and Wellbeing
Charter Role: Work Domain Lead
Andy Keegan – Head of Reward, Staff Engagement and Wellbeing
Charter Role: Live Domain Lead
Ed Naylor – Head of Accommodation and Student Living
Charter Role: Learn Domain Lead
Philip Carey – Dean of Teaching and Learning Academy
Charter Role: Charter Project Officer
Shannen Dabson – Student Minds Charter Project Officer
If you need support for your mental health, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Staff wellbeing and Student Services teams.