Articles
Articles, commentary and blogs written by UMHAN.
Rachel Spacey wrote for Wonkhe as part of our University Mental Health Day celebrations in March 2026. The article included findings from the UMHAN Member Survey 2025.
The AI guidance gap is a mental health problem details what UMHAN members -professionals working either in a Mental Health Adviser role, Specialist Mental Health Mentors, Managers and Associates said about their experiences of working with, and supporting, students with mental health conditions and their use of generative AI.
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in student academic work is a growing concern, with 71% of members supporting students who use AI, and 68% noting an increase in this number. However, only 57% of members reported awareness of official AI policy or guidance for students.
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Rachel Spacey and Sam Gamblin shared the key findings from the UMHAN Member Survey 2023 for a piece which was published in Wonkhe in May 2024.
Higher risks and longer delays: Student mental health advisors on the front line details what UMHAN members - professionals working either in a Mental Health Adviser role (or similar), Specialist Mental Health Mentors, Managers and Associates said about their current working conditions.
Our members highlighted the high numbers of university students with complex mental health needs, that they themselves were struggling to fit in CPD and training whilst NHS waiting times were unacceptable and getting longer.
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Rachel Spacey and Sam Gamblin wrote a blog for HEPI, an independent Higher Education think tank, to coincide with University Mental Health Day on March 14, 2024.
Rachel and Sam describe UMHAN's #IChoseToDisclose campaign in detail. This is UMHAN's drive to encourage students to share information about their mental health condition with their education provider, whether that’s when they apply to university or once they’re at university. The main purpose of encouraging disclosure of mental health conditions (and other disabilities) is to ensure that students are able to access additional support to which they may be entitled while studying.
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Sam Gamblin and Rachel Spacey of UMHAN discuss the role of, and pressures on, mental health advisers and mentors in universities in an article published in Wonkhe in 2023: 'Mental health advisors are the jam in the sandwich'.
Wonkhe (pronounced wonk-y) is a Higher Education blog for those who work in the HE sector and like to write, read and discuss everything HE.
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Sam Gamblin, UMHAN Charity Manager wrote an article for NASEN - the National Association for Special Educational Needs. NASEN is the UK's leading organisation which aims to promote the education, training, advancement and development of all those with special and additional support needs.
Sam wrote about the key areas for schools, SENCOs, parents and carers to be aware of when it comes to student anxiety and mental health, and the support available to students.
Published in January 2022 in NASEN's quarterly magazine, Connect.
Image by Kobe on Pexels.
