Research: University of Derby, King’s College, London
Responding to student mental health problems now appears to be an inevitable part of the role of an academic.
To understand more about how academics are managing student mental health, this project interviewed 52
academics at five universities. Participants reported large numbers of students experiencing mental health
difficulties. A number of the academics interviewed described experiences of student mental illness that carried high
levels of risk and distress. Academics who had worked in the role for many years stressed that they were seeing an
increase in the prevalence of mental health difficulties. This report sets out 11 key findings and recommendations to
ensure that students and academics are effectively and safely supported.