From Newcastle. For the world.

Mental Health & Counselling Support at Newcastle University

From Newcastle. For the world.

UUK Step Change Framework

2

The Context

• Charges Universities with adopting mental health as a strategic priority and implementing a whole university approach

• Eight different areas• Considers mental health and wellbeing in a

broad context• Task & Finish group has been established at

Newcastle, chaired and championed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor

• Initial report has gone to Executive Board and more in depth action plans are now being created

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The Offer – Early Intervention

October 10th

• Wellbeing Workshops• iNCLude App• SilverCloud online CBT• Borrow Bessie• Exercise class referrals• Climbing sessions • Mindfulness sessions • Pianos on Campus

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The Offer – Counselling

October 10th

• Time focussed provision (up to 6 sessions) either face to face or via telephone

• Available 9am-9pm Mon-Thur during term (9am-5pm Fri and out of term)

• Appointments provided in a choice of venue (King’s Gate or Student Advice Centre)

• Anxiety group available• Specialist counselling through local eating distress and rape crisis

services available on site• Psychology clinic available to provide higher intensity CBT to

students with presenting issues of anxiety or depression• Joint working with the local NHS therapy services to ensure

students do not have to have multiple assessments

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The Offer – Mental Health Support

October 10th

• Disability support for students with ongoing mental health difficulties

• Supporting students with decisions and planning around off campus activities

• Contributing to support to study processes• Consultancy service for anyone concerned about the wellbeing of

a Newcastle University student • Support for students who are vulnerable after an

incident/hospitalisation etc

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Data Protection

October 10th

• Data protection is about using personal data fairly and responsibly; it is part of the fundamental right to privacy

• Recognising an individual’s right to have control over their own identity

• Encourages a flexible and risk-based approach; no ‘one size fits all’ solution (unfortunately!)

• Doesn’t need to be ‘private’ information; even information that is public knowledge, or about someone’s professional life, can be personal data

• Isn’t about saying ‘no’, even if it sometimes seems that it is

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Data Protection cont…

October 10th

• A set of principles that provide a loose framework for processing personal data

• ‘Processing’ covers almost anything you can do with data, including storing it and deleting it

• Most relevant principles in this situation are around ‘transparency’ and ‘data minimisation’

• Transparency means the individual knowing what is happening to their data

• Data minimisation means that any processing is adequate, relevant, and not excessive for the intended purpose

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Data Protection cont…

October 10th

• Any processing must be lawful:• Vital interests• Public interest• Legal obligation• Consent• Contract• Legitimate interests

If you have concerns for the wellbeing of a student, contact the Student Health & Wellbeing Service

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Data Protection cont…

October 10th

• More information is available on the University’s GDPR sharepointsite

• The University’s online GDPR training can be accessed here:• Login with your usual NCL login details• Click on the ‘Available Courses’ which is the 1st box at the

bottom of the screen• Click ‘University Essentials’• Click ‘Data Protection Regulations’• You should then see an invitation to ‘enrol me’ click on this link• You should now see the GDPR online course option click on

this• You can now ‘start course’

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Evidence of Vulnerability

October 10th

• Overt distress

• Open disclosure of need

• Concealed distress• Behaviour lacking insight • Vulnerability playout in misconduct• Risk to others

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Foundations for responding

October 10th

• Establish professional boundaries and avoid:• Going outside the scope of your role• Swapping personal contact details with students• Communication outside of the working day• Linking on social media• Socialising outside of work settings

• Physical safety (thumb lock rooms)

• Private environment

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Foundations for responding

October 10th

• Confidentiality agreement

• Timely• how long have you both got? • is now the right time?

• Appropriate • Consider your parameters, personal and role boundaries

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Intervention Framework

October 10th

• Approach

• Listen without judgment

• Provide reassurance

• Signpost to professional support

• Self care

From Newcastle. For the world.

Thank youAny questions?