Welcome to our new newsletter!
UMHAN (University Mental Health Advisers Network)
We are the largest network of mental health professionals working in education, established in 2003.
Welcome to our first Linked In newsletter! We'll be sharing news from UMHAN, and other relevant sector news to keep you abreast of the latest discussions and information about #StudentMentalHeath
Open Access Resources
The majority of our resources are closed for our members, however we do make some resources open access where they fit in with our charitable aims. One of these is?‘Mental health in the context of Disability’?which explains the law around the Equality Act alongside the ‘models of disability.’ UMHAN advocates the ‘social model of disability’ which states people are disabled by the barriers in society and focuses on how to remove these barriers.
This model of approach is different from the ‘medical model’ which sees an interconnection between a disability and a person.?Most universities use the social model of disability although this can be ‘at odds’ when students request medical adjustments for academic work.
It examines reasonable adjustments for students and provides examples for how these steps can be implemented for exams, assessments and during study.
There is a link through to the resources’ section of Disability Rights UK which includes a FAQ section specifically tailored for students. This features information relating to student queries around Universal Credit, PIP plus employment and housing support.
We also have a couple of YouTube explainer videos, which can be embedded locally on your own website. These are short 1 minute videos to help explain the roles of Mental Health Advisor and Specialist Mental Health Mentor. We know from our analytics that where universities have embedded these they are accessed frequently by students.
We're hiring!
We are currently recruiting for an exciting?new Policy & Engagement Officer role. This is a part time remote-working post, with an initial fixed term of 12 months with the potential to extend.?
We’re looking for an individual with excellent policy and public affairs skills, who is experienced in undertaking research and analysis. An understanding of the UK Higher Education sector would be beneficial.
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Please help us to find the right person by sharing with your networks! We have social posts on Twitter and Linked In which you could also share.
Sector News
The Disabled Students' Commission (DSC) has just released the?Disabled Student Commitment?(the Commitment).?The purpose of the Commitment is to secure an enhanced and improved experience for disabled students within higher education. The DSC calls upon higher education providers (HEPs), Government, funders, agencies, regulators and professional, statutory and regulatory bodies (henceforth referred to as other organisations) to adopt and promote the Commitment.
Disabled Students' Allowances reforms?- we are still awaiting formal confirmation of the recent tender process for Needs Assessment Centres and Assistive Technology. There have been some delays to this anouncement, but the current message from the Student Loans Company is to encourage students to apply as normal. A recent WONKHE article has expressed concerns about multiple issues which may have a negative impact on student mental health.
Duty of Care?-?The Learn Network's petition?demanding Universities are made subject to an enhanced Duty of Care has passed the threshold meaning it will now be debated in parliament. The Minister for State for Education has recently answered a parliamentary question on this subject, stating that "the department does not believe a further statutory duty would be the best approach to improve outcomes for?students".
Equality of Risk Register (EORR)?- The Office for Students has launched its new Equality of Risk Register which enables institutions to explore a range of risks of equality of opportunity across the sector. UMHAN was part of the reference group involved in the development of the register, and we are pleased that mental health has been highlighted prominently in the register.