UMHAN and the ProtectED Code of Practice

The ProtectED Code of Practice was launched on Monday 6th February as a new accreditation scheme for universities to measure student safety. Focusing on five areas of student wellbeing, the code encourages universities to become members and gain accreditation through adherence to its code of practice.The five key areas identified cover a wide range of focus points in improving student wellbeing and safety:

• Core institutional safety and security
• Wellbeing and Mental Health
• International Students
• Harassment and Sexual Assault
• The Student Night Out

ProtectED is the first higher education scheme to comprehensively tackle student wellbeing and safety in this manner. Launched by the University of Salford, the scheme’s Advisory Board comprises advisers from higher education institutions, police, and more. UMHAN were delighted to be included on this Board to provide guidance regarding university approaches to student mental health. With the peak age of onset for mental health difficulties coinciding with 80% of the population’s university years,[1] and 29% of students reporting clinical levels of psychological distress in 2010,[2] the need to focus on student mental health and wellbeing is increasingly clear.