Benefits

Why become a member of UMHAN?

We are the only membership organisation that represents mental health professionals working in Higher Education and have 17 years of experience in this field. With 400 members in over 120 institutions, we are well placed to understand and advocate for our members. This includes representation to funding bodies, relevant government departments and leadership bodies. We offer networking and training opportunities.

We have particular expertise in working with students with long term mental health conditions; equality, inclusion and the rights of those with mental health conditions; managing risk and safety and collaborative working with the NHS, Social Services and other public bodies.

Peer Support and Networking

As a member, you become part of a supportive community, which gives you the opportunity to share your experiences, knowledge and advice through exclusive discussion forums, and connect with other professionals throughout the UK. We have forums dedicated to particular professions and roles, such as Occupational Therapy and Specialist Mental Health Mentoring.

Meetings and Professional Development

We hold both regional and national meetings, giving members the opportunity to discuss current topics, share best practice and contribute to continuing professional development. We are developing our online meeting and webinars, to enable all members to participate. Our online discussion forum is a highly valued platform for both new and experienced practitioners, covering topics such as risk and safety, strategies for effective working with students and team working.

Policy Development, Research and Publications

UMHAN is at the forefront of developing policy and practice around mental health across the sector and members regularly contribute to new research, papers and publications. As an organisation, UMHAN is regularly asked to articulate its views on issues relevant to student mental health. Members therefore have both the opportunity to contribute to these developments and access to a wealth of professional experience, expertise and guidance from across the sector. Research and publications are available in the member’s only area of the UMHAN website.

Sector representation

As a membership organisation, UMHAN advocates for its members on areas such as pay and conditions, wellbeing and professionalism at a strategic level. We also seek to advocate for students with mental health conditions, reflecting their experiences in education, as fed back via our members.

We provide our members with news and information relevant to the education sector as a whole, but also to specific roles. We highlight developments which we feel will effect our members and the wider landscape of student mental health.

Quality Assurance

All members are expected to comply with our Capability and Conduct Framework, and take personal responsibility for upholding professional standards. Through our Accredited Practitioner membership routes, we also audit members within our Supervision and CPD requirements, ensuring that students with mental health conditions receive support from proficient professional staff.

Benefits of membership for Higher Education providers

Alongside the benefits listed above, UMHAN membership provides institutions with a very cost-effective means of contributing towards the continued professional development of staff in demanding roles. Further information is available on membership fees and how to apply.

Mental Health practitioners often feel isolated from professional support, whilst undertaking extremely challenging roles. Membership of UMHAN goes some way to addressing the duty of care which an institution has towards staff members performing such a role.

Interpreting and implementing the requirements of the Equality Act can be challenging for institutions. Members will have access to information about best practice from across the sector which will be relevant in supporting institutions in meeting these duties.

UMHAN is a national organisation, at the forefront of providing support to students with mental health conditions; professional membership to UMHAN demonstrates institutional commitment to supporting students with mental health conditions and promoting wellbeing across its university

Members will also receive:

Inclusion on our public register (if accredited practitioner members)
The use of our professional logo on email signatures
An active online discussion forum where members can share experiences and expertise
Members meetings, which include guest speakers, training, and networking and development opportunities.
Free vacancy advertising on our jobs board
Access to members only areas on the UMHAN website containing workshop/ training resources; publications, guidance and position statements; self-help apps, books and useful resources; tools and templates and much more…
Access to discounted Public Liability insurance (mentors only)