Healthwatch Manchester have spent time over the last four months talking with members of Manchester’s student population about their experience and understanding of Mental Health Support Services available to them in the city.
This report aims to present the findings and recommendations from a review using qualitative research methods. This review concerns Manchester’s student population and their understanding and awareness of Mental Health Support Services (MHSS) available to them in the city.
In order to engage with as many students as possible, they decided upon two venues to conduct our interviews. They initially held a stall on the University of Manchester Campus at University Place. After two visits to University Place, they held a further engagement session at Manchester Central Library in one of their study carrels. They did this to engage with students who told them they felt apprehensive speaking about this sensitive subject at the stall on campus.
They found that the majority of students we spoke with were aware of the MHSS available to them in Manchester. Moreover, the majority of students they spoke to told them that their university or college provided support and information regarding these services.
However, the majority of students they spoke with were not aware that they could use MHSS outside of their university’s or college’s provision. Furthermore, many students they spoke with revealed that despite being aware of MHSS being available, they did not know how to access them or know where they were situated.
Healthwatch Manchester recommends that Universities and colleges in Manchester should in future promote MHSS services to students via social media as well as through other channels.
Download the Report here: