The Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference 2025: Supporting a Diverse Range of Student Needs

Online

Past and Present Supporters Include:

Overview:

There are growing pressures on university students as the sector undergoes major changes and graduates enter an uncertain world. Student support services are showing an increasing awareness of the diverse needs and perspectives of student populations, making sure they accommodate international perspectives, the specific circumstances of mature students, and marginalised communities. Professionals from across student support services must come together to share best practice and key strategies to improve mental health provisions in higher education settings.

  • 57% of students self-reported a mental health issue and 27% said they had a diagnosed mental health condition (Student Minds, 2022)
  • 83% of students surveyed were either ‘very’ or ‘quite’ concerned about the current cost of living crisis and 41% said this was having a negative impact on their wellbeing (Student Minds, 2022)
  • A survey of 4,000 UK students found just 12% of respondents think their university handles the issue of mental health well (Tab and CALM, 2023)

Join us at The Student Mental Health Conference 2025 to hear the latest updates and guidance from leading experts on student mental health services. Engage with high-level keynotes that will update you on the latest government policies for supporting student mental health and a range of best practice case-studies that include strategies for supporting students from academic and financial pressures. You will also have the opportunity to network with senior colleagues from across the sector to share common challenges and discuss strategies for removing the stigma of discussions around student mental health.

Why Attend:

✓ High-level keynotes on the latest initiatives and policies to improve student mental health services from leading experts

✓ Case studies showcasing best practice in whole-university approaches, creating inclusive counselling services, and collaborating with external partners
✓ Networking with senior colleagues from across the student services and wellbeing sector
✓ Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

Agenda

  • Registration

  • Chair’s Opening Remarks

  • Keynote: Latest Government Policy on Student Mental Health

    • Outlining the establishment of the Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Taskforce
    • Collaborating with academic experts and conducting comprehensive reviews into student suicides by identifying trends and creating prevention strategies
    • Advocating for increased funding to bolster mental health resources and sustain support systems for student well-being
    • Encouraging all higher education institutions to pledge commitment to University Mental Health Charter
  • Keynote: Providing effective mental health support within universities

    • Guidance on ensuring that students are aware of the mental health services available to them and encouraging them to seek support
    • Implementing mental health training for staff and faculty to help them recognise early signs of mental distress and provide appropriate support or referrals
    • Offering flexible support including online counselling and walk in support services to accommodate all students
    • Strategies for supporting students with pre-existing mental health issues from day one
  • Questions and Answers

  • Comfort Break

  • Keynote: Breaking Stigmas and Encouraging Mental Health Engagement

     

    • Exploring the root challenges and causes for mental health stigmas in university
    • Strategies for creating successful mental health awareness campaigns across campuses
    • Encouraging faculty to incorporate mental health support sessions and provisions into lectures and seminars
    • Creating positive open spaces for students to share and celebrate their mental health progress
    • Using social media platforms and university websites to share supportive messaging that challenges norms and stigmas regarding mental health
  • Case Study: Building Inclusive and Accessible Mental Health Services for Students

    • Understanding the diverse challenges that come from an intersectional population of students
    • Designing services that has culturally aware and sensitive support staff
    • Ensuring accessibility for all students by adopting inclusive services that factor in students with cognitive and sensory disabilities
    • Collaborating consistently with current students and recent graduates about how university mental health services can be improved
    • Utilising peer mental health education and mentoring to provide role models to disadvantaged students
  • Case Study: Collaborative Approaches to Preventing Student Suicide

    • Developing comprehensive safeguarding plans that use attendance data to monitor students’ well-being
    • Using a strategic joined-up to suicide prevention which involves the welfare team, wider community, local settings and those with lived experience of suffering with mental health at university
    • Creating effective partnerships with local councils and the NHS for when university support is not enough
    • Using an evidence-based approach which frequently evaluates mental health services to understand what is working and what needs to be improved

     

  • Questions & Answers

  • Lunch Break

  • Keynote: The cost-of-living crisis: the impact of financial pressure on student mental health

    • Guidance on providing effective bursaries and financial support packages which account for the impact of the cost-of-living crisis
    • Supporting students to find part-time work and/or balance academic studies with part-time work
    • Implementing financial education workshops to help students manage their finances and make informed decisions regarding budgeting, saving, and spending
    • Providing mental health support services that address and provide strategies to cope with financial stress
  • Case Study: Supporting International Students

    • Understanding the unique challenges facing international students including cultural adjustment, language barriers, academic pressure and isolation
    • Developing targeted support systems which provide support for language learning, local knowledge, life skills and academic tutoring
    • Creating campus spaces and events that celebrate diversity and foster a sense of belonging
    • Guidance for creating engaging social events that encourage intercultural exchange and international communities

     

  • Questions and Answers

  • Breakout Networking:

    This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the biggest issues facing students, strategies for supporting student’s mental health and the most up to date mental health policies from higher education institutions. We encourage you to take this time to network with colleagues and share your experiences.

  • Comfort Break

  • Case Study: Tackling Student Loneliness

    • Insights into the prevalence and impact on loneliness on student mental health and academic performance
    • Considering how a diverse collection of social clubs and societies can support lonely students
    • Strengthening institutional support by supporting staff in identifying students who show signs of loneliness and isolation
    • Considering the role of mentor support programmes and student-led initiatives in tackling loneliness
  • Case Study: Substance misuse and abuse

    • Outlining the intertwined relationship between mental health and drug abuse
    • Guidance on educating students on substance use, harm reduction, and safe usage
    • Offering substance testing kits and creating safe, non-judgemental spaces for discussions about substance abuse
    • Strategies for providing support and treatment options for students facing addiction
  • Questions and Answers

  • Chair’s Closing Remarks

  • Conference Close

Previous Speakers

Dr Michelle Morgan

Dean of Students

University of East London

Dr Alana James

Associate Professor in the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences

University of Reading

Helen Rowland

Director of Student Support

University of Southampton

Melissa Farrugia

Associate Director-Hubs and Student Administration

University of Southampton

Dr Rachel Spacey

Policy and Engagement Officer

University Mental Health Advisors Network

Amy Porter

Head of Development

British Universities & Colleges Sport

Ellie Gomersall

President

NUS Scotland

Katie Endacott

Chief Executive Officer

Nightline

Dr Tamsin Bowers-Brown

Director of the Office for Institutional Equity

Leeds Trinity University

Kerry-Ann Randle

Head of Student Wellbeing

Bournemouth University

Testimonials

The Student Mental Health & Wellbeing Conference provided so many rich ideas and points to consider in relation to how we build a whole university approach to student wellbeing

 

Student Support and Wellbeing ManagerNorthern School of Contemporary Dance

This was an amazing event with lots of relevant information and ‘food for thought’!

Academic Centre CoordinatorUniversity of Cambridge

Really informative session by excellent speakers who are clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about supporting student mental health in HE.

Head of Safety and Support Falmouth Exeter Plus

Attending the Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference was an incredibly valuable experience. The sessions were insightful, the speakers knowledgeable, and the networking opportunities excellent. I left with a wealth of new strategies and ideas to implement in my work. Highly recommended!

Student Experience and Engagement ManagerLearning Development Training

Why You Should Attend

Why Attend:

✓ High-level keynotes on the latest initiatives and policies to improve student mental health services from leading experts

✓ Case studies showcasing best practice in whole-university approaches, creating inclusive counselling services, and collaborating with external partners
✓ Networking with senior colleagues from across the student services and wellbeing sector
✓ Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

Who Should Attend?

 

Job Title Examples Organisation Examples
Lecturers Universities
HR Professionals Colleges
Wellbeing Officers Higher Education Institutions
Career Advisors Charities
Senior University Staff Civil Service/Government
Student Union Staff
Admissions Staff
Education Policy Professionals

 

Pricing Options

PRIVATE SECTOR
£499.00

Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.

BOOK NOW
PUBLIC SECTOR
£360.00

Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.

BOOK NOW
Voluntary Sector
£330.00

Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.

BOOK NOW

Sponsorship

Raise your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business

If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE

IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.

Virtual vs F2F

Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:

  • Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
  • Lower sponsorship package costs
  • No travel/accommodation
  • Less time out of the office
  • No stand materials required (lower costs)
  • 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
  • Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
  • Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
  • Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)

To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below: