Blog

Category: Working with students
Picture of Sharisse

Picture of Sharisse'It's about creating environments where students feel supported, empowered, and able to succeed'.

A career shaped by a deep commitment to mental health accessibility and inclusivity - UMHAN member, Sharisse Hosein.
24 Mar 2025

#UniMentalHealthDay 2025 - This is why our community matters!

Dr. Rachel Spacey, UMHAN's Head of Research and Engagement shares her reflections on the power of the UMHAN community this #UniMentalHealthDay
12 Mar 2025
Photograph of Molly the author of the blog.

Photograph of Molly the author of the blog. My journey with the SHARE study and the future of mental health measures

Molly Lodder-Knowles, reflects on the SHARE study and what she learned researching student mental health.
17 Feb 2025
People giving high fives

People giving high fivesUMHAN's latest research into the role and benefits of Mental Health Advisers

Dr. Rachel Spacey writes about the vital role MHAs play in supporting students with their mental health.
17 Oct 2024
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Decorative'UMHAN has helped me feel a sense of community and belonging in this relatively undefined role'.

UMHAN member Lauren talks to us about her role as a Specialist Mental Health Mentor.
5 Sep 2024
Imogen Varle

Imogen Varle'Building trust and forming therapeutic relationships with clients is essential'.

UMHAN member Imogen shares the benefits of her nursing background in her work as a Mental Health Intervention Officer.
5 Aug 2024
Front cover of book Grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder with outline image of man on one knee talking to a small child

Front cover of book Grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder with outline image of man on one knee talking to a small childBook Review: 'Grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder'

UMHAN member Kate reviews 'Grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder' by Reynolds et al. (2024).
1 Jul 2024
White mug stating 'Be the most encouraging person you know' by Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov via Unsplash

White mug stating 'Be the most encouraging person you know' by Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov via Unsplash'What I love: witnessing positive change - an increase in confidence, autonomy and self-knowledge'.

One of our valued UMHAN members shares her experience of working in student mental health and how she migrated into it from teaching.
8 May 2024
Neurodiversity Celebration Week banner saying "We're participating"

Neurodiversity Celebration Week banner saying "We're participating"Pathological Demand Avoidance, Demand Avoidance or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy?

It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week - time to rethink labelling?
18 Mar 2024
Headshot of Sanya

Headshot of Sanya#UniMentalHealthDay 2024: 'Supporting anxious minds'.

For Uni Mental Health Day 2024, UMHAN member Sanya shares her thoughts on supporting anxious students.
12 Mar 2024
Speech bubble saying "We need you" with #IChoseToDisclose

Speech bubble saying "We need you" with #IChoseToDisclose#UniMentalHealthDay 2024 #IChoseToDisclose

For Uni Mental Health Day 2024, UMHAN Charity Manager, Sam Gamblin, shares why we are relaunching our #IChoseToDisclose campaign.
12 Mar 2024
Welcome

WelcomeA call to members: the benefits of attending UMHAN meetings

UMHAN member Avou explores some of the benefits in attending UMHAN member meetings.
4 Mar 2024
Photo of Evie's reflection in a window with a backdrop of city lights

Photo of Evie's reflection in a window with a backdrop of city lights'My experience accessing mental health support at university' #IChoseToDisclose

Blog post written by recent graduate volunteer Evie Wynn who talks about her own mental health and how she found support at university.
22 Nov 2023
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Decorative#OTWeek23 - OTs in student mental health

UMHAN member Rebecca Woods explains how occupational therapy, and 'occupations' support student mental health.
8 Nov 2023
Photo of Jay with pink quiff!

Photo of Jay with pink quiff!Experiences of a Mental Health Practitioner with ADHD

UMHAN member Jay shares his insight into ADHD after being diagnosed at 30.
11 Jul 2023
Person on scaffolding

Person on scaffoldingRegulation and the safety of students

UMHAN Trustee, Phil Scarffe, comments on issues at the heart of student safety.
26 Jun 2023
UMHAN Member Jane Dye

UMHAN Member Jane Dye'I believe listening non-judgmentally is probably my greatest responsibility'.

UMHAN member Jane Dye shares her career to date and the benefits of a corporate background in her work today as a Specialist Mental Health Mentor.
4 Apr 2023
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Logo#UniMentalHealthDay 2023: Introducing Clinical Governance.

UMHAN Trustee Phil Scarffe outlines the student mental health landscape in 2023, and crucial elements of our new guidance.
8 Mar 2023
Tam standing in front of Machu Pichu

Tam standing in front of Machu PichuMental Health Nurses Day 2023 - Tam Mitchell: from retirement into student mental health

Tam shares his lengthy career in nursing, and how his skills and experience have helped him to support a wide range of students.
21 Feb 2023
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LogoPositive Digital Practices - using Positive Learner materials

Welcome to the first of three upcoming blog posts on using materials from the Positive Digital Practices project!
30 Jan 2023
Headshot of Cathy with trees and fields behind

Headshot of Cathy with trees and fields behind'It's a process of learning and growing'.

Specialist Mentor and UMHAN member Cathy Bleach, gives us an insight into her career path and life as a mentor in HE today.
18 Oct 2022
Tabby cat Dylan staring into the lens

Tabby cat Dylan staring into the lens'Cat colleague Dylan and his work in student mental health'.

UMHAN member and Specialist Mental Health Mentor, Rebecca Welch, tells us how her cat Dylan got recognised for being an amazing cat colleague.
15 Aug 2022
Mutli-coloured pencils lined up on blue paper

Mutli-coloured pencils lined up on blue paperDisparity in support for students needs addressing

We support the Association of Colleges in their call for equal funding for all students at every level of their education journey.
21 Jul 2022
picture of Megan

picture of Megan'Listening to all students' stories is vital as no two people will ever have the same experiences'.

Having had a mental health condition at university herself, Mental Health Adviser, Megan, can empathise with students and their difficulties.
27 Jun 2022
Picture of Hazel.

Picture of Hazel. 'I’m watching students' blossom when they think they can’t get there and it’s a great feeling'.

Specialist mental health mentor Hazel, talks about her role, her career and what she loves most about working in student mental health.
6 May 2022
Black and white photo of Taylor smiling

Black and white photo of Taylor smiling'I was made to feel at ease in an educational world I didn’t know I would ever be ready for'.

Taylor talks about the mental health support options at a small and specialist provider.
5 Apr 2022

#UniMentalHealthDay 2022

Sam Gamblin reflects on the successes and challenges of the year for our members and other colleagues in Student Services.
3 Mar 2022
Picture of Ashley

Picture of Ashley'I envisaged I would be helping with students missing home or stressed about exams'.

Long-standing UMHAN member Ashley describes her surprise at the complexity when she first became a Mental Health Adviser.
7 Feb 2022
Picture of Helen

Picture of Helen'Mentoring has helped me be my best self'.

Feedback for Specialist Mental Health Mentor and UMHAN member Helen shows what a huge impact mentoring can have on students.
8 Nov 2021

'Clear messaging for early return to campus'.

Members report anxiety around returning to campus for students with MH conditions.
22 Mar 2021

Developing school mental health services

UMHAN's response to the Early Day Motion 943 Funding for school counselling services
17 Nov 2020

Book Review: 'Stay Balanced While You Study'

By Dr Dominique Thompson. Book review written by Specialist Mental Health Mentor, Lauren Weaving.
26 Oct 2020

Book Review: 'Helping Penguins to Swim'

This e-book edited by Karisa Krčmář was reviewed by a UMHAN mentor member.
14 Sep 2020

Student mental health in the time of COVID-19

Our guest blog post is written by Lucian Milasan and Ed Griffin from DMU.
9 Sep 2020

Face-to-face and remote working

Guidance from UMHAN.
3 Sep 2020
Photo of meadow cranesbill flower

Photo of meadow cranesbill flower'Preparing for the new normal'.

UMHAN member meetings have focused on work post lockdown, including preparing students for what that might look like.
25 Jun 2020

OfS briefing 'Supporting Students Mental Health': UMHAN responds

Anna Matthews and Dan Doran support the points made by the OfS which underlines the vital importance of work by our members.
4 May 2020

Providing and accessing remote support

Advice for students about accessing their continuing mental health support from university, and for staff providing this.
17 Mar 2020

#UniMentalHealthDay 2020

UMHAN Charity Manager Sam reflects on what still needs to be done.
5 Mar 2020

The language and terminology we use at UMHAN

UMHAN advocates for the social model use of language and terminology to describe mental health.
4 Mar 2020

Book Review: 'Student Mental Health & Wellbeing in HE: A practical guide'

Book edited by Nicola Barden and Ruth Caleb reviewed by UMHAN member, Bronwen Campbell.
11 Dec 2019

Book Review: 'The Student Guide to Mindfulness'

'The Student Guide to Mindfulness' by David Mair was reviewed by UMHAN member, Cathy Fell.
3 Dec 2019

'Diagnosis – Help or Hindrance?'

Kate Noble, Specialist Mental Health Mentor and UMHAN member gives her thoughts on the diagnostic process and how this impacts her work.
15 May 2019

'UMHAN helps students access mental health facilities at UK universities'.

UMHAN Co-ordinator, Marta Polizzi, speaks to UMHAN Member, Duncan Little.
10 Apr 2019

'Conflicts within the mental health mentor role'.

Kate Noble, Specialist Mental Health Mentor, shares her reflections on the role.
1 May 2018

'Working with students who identify across the gender spectrum'.

Article by Claire Gregor (reviewed by Aine Bradley and Donna Lee Norton).
18 Oct 2017

'Not special treatment but Reasonable Adjustments'.

Research suggests an increase in the number of students receiving adjustments due to mental health. UMHAN members share their expertise.
13 Jul 2017

'Supporting students with experience of sexual violence'.

Mental Health Manager, Lisa Brooks-Lewis, describes her experience developing policies and training on the topic of sexual violence.
7 Jul 2017

UMHAN Training: Behavioural Intervention Teams

Key points about Behavioural Intervention Teams from a day of training.
6 Dec 2016
University Mental Health Advisers Network (UMHAN). c/o The Moseley Exchange, 149-153 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8JP Tel: 07510 734544 Registered charity number: 1155038. We use cookies to improve your experience using this website.
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