Support students’ mental health with bespoke workshops
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Mental health concerns and suicide prevention in UK universities are major issues. In 2023, almost 30,000 students reported problems with their mental health, according to the Office for Students. The number of students with a mental health condition almost quadrupled in the decade to 2023-24, Higher Education Statistics Agency data shows. The student suicide rate has increased, prompting criticisms of the universities they attended.
When it comes to addressing these concerns, the scale and the diversity of the student population across the UK mean a one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to have the desired reach and impact.
That’s why, in 2023, I explored a new partnership with St John Ambulance with the aim of adapting and embedding its existing workplace training into bespoke student- and staff-facing courses and workshops.
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St John’s mental health workplace training delivers a practical approach to mental health first aid, based on real-life scenarios – something I knew would resonate with our students and staff.
The first step was to establish what the experts at St John knew about students and the issue of student mental health, as well as a wider understanding of the higher education sector.
This allowed us to start putting the course together and ensuring that students could be directed to the appropriate student services. Working with St John and our internal teams from the very start allowed everything to come together holistically.
To ensure the maximum reach and engagement, the sessions are attached to our award-winning RISE programme (allowing students to gain credit). They are freely available, delivered online and onsite at various points in the year.
We offer multiple courses to our students, including the student well-being course “Thriving at and after university”, a mental health training certificate and suicide prevention training.
In the pilot year, we delivered the courses in our Faculty of Science and Engineering with 700 students awarded accredited certifications.
Since then, the initiative has expanded across the institution, with an additional 884 student certificates awarded, and training provided in academic departments and within professional services.
Together with St John Ambulance, we’re proud to have created a blueprint for mental health and suicide prevention training that is accessible, inclusive and relevant to students.
Key factors in our success
Introducing this to an institution as large as Manchester Met is logistically challenging.
But working with St John has been fantastic. It has a single contact, which has made the challenges of completing risk assessments and delivering these courses at scale so much easier.
Internally, we have also received a lot of backing, which has been key to our success. We started off small in one faculty, delivering the mental health certification. But as we grew, and particularly when we shifted to offer the suicide prevention certificate too, our teams really supported us in the organisation, training and, crucially, the funding.
What we can say is that the students see value in it, and they’re telling us this because they’re championing it on their own personal social media channels and on LinkedIn.
Having these courses delivered by an external organisation such as St John has given them real gravitas for our students. Not only does the training help their own well-being, it’s something recognisable they can add to their CVs, especially as the courses are delivered in many workplaces already by a recognised brand.
We also know that a high proportion of students seek student services support after completing their course, which is what we want.
The partnership has created a vital link, with students accessing the training and then recognising the support that’s needed for them within the institution, going on and tapping into the appropriate resource they need.
Plans for the future
On the back of our success so far, our main aim is looking at how we can allow more students to access the courses. We know the demand is there, as the spaces for the limited amount of courses we can offer through the year fill up very quickly.
But to do this we need to plan our resources. This includes staff time and training and the funding we have available.
What we have created is a blueprint that I hope other institutions can follow. I would encourage anyone to reach out to St John and explore the possibilities.
It truly is a partnership and, whether you can deliver one or numerous courses through the year, the key thing we have seen is that it will make a difference.
The demand from students is there and we can see the impact that it has on those that have accessed the courses.
Ultimately, the initiative reflects our – and the whole higher education sector’s – commitment to ensuring no student feels alone, and that we all have a role in supporting one another.
Lisa Simmons is faculty director of education at Manchester Metropolitan University.
The university has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Student Support category in the THE Awards 2025. The full list of nominees can be found here. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 13 November.
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