The Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference 2026
Previous Supporters Include
Overview
Changes in higher education, academic and financial pressures, uncertainty, and an unpredictable job market are intensifying pressures on students, making mental health and wellbeing more critical than ever. Despite growing awareness, NHS mental health services remain under immense pressure, leading to additional strain on Higher Education Providers (HEPs) (Department for Education, 2026). A multi-agency reformed approach is crucial to confront mental health challenges and prioritise effective care pathways from early intervention to crisis, otherwise risking worsening student wellbeing, and fragmented support.
With major UK reforms underway to address student mental health, it is essential that student support teams stay informed about government initiatives to avoid unsustainable or outdated practices. Now is the time to align strategies, build sustainable partnerships and ensure students have access to the right care and the right support.
The Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference 2026 examines the latest government initiatives tackling the rising challenge of student mental health and explores the obstacles faced by service providers at leading universities. It highlights practical solutions for delivering effective support and offers clear guidance on next steps to strengthen student support pathways.
Agenda
Online Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Professor Juliet Foster, Dean of Education, King’s College London (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: The Evolving Landscape of Student Mental Health: Current Challenges and Emerging Pressures
- Examining the latest government policy initiatives including the Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Task force, CYPMH expansion programmes, the 10 Year Health Plan for England, and The Mental Act 2025, to design and adapt services that are compliant with government regulations
- Outlining recent student mental health data to identify priority challenges and support the design of targeted, evidence-based solutions
- Exploring NHS policy developments, government expansions of Mental Health Support in Schools and Colleges, and the Step Change framework to support student wellbeing providers in navigating effective mental health pathways
Samantha Jones, Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Office, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) (invited)
Keynote: Building Partnerships with Higher Education Providers and the NHS
- Outlining next steps for student mental health services through a deep dive into the Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Taskforce 2026 to ensure compliance with the 10 Year Health Plan for England
- Highlighting the necessity and benefit of sustainable partnerships to bridge the gap between HEPs with the NHS to improve accessibility to information, strengthen care continuity pathways, and increase guidance on complex cases
- Examining the importance of a standardised approach to information sharing to reduce gaps in student mental health pathways and prioritise effective and targeted support
- Gain actionable implementation strategies to enable a collaborative approach and shared governance with the NHS, delivering efficient and well-structured support for complex cases
Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, Department for Education (invited)
Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: The Power of Early Intervention: Engaging in Student Care Before Crisis
- Examining the importance of early intervention to provide timely support, reduce the number of students in crisis, and ease pressure on providers
- Guidance on how to effectively aid students during the waiting period
- Exploring early intervention tactics such as mindfulness, reducing stigma, social prescribing, peer-to-peer support, and workshops to ensure students receive support at every stage
- Assessing the diverse factors that lead to student mental health issues to provide wellbeing and early intervention strategies that align with all students
Gemma Byrne, Policy and Campaigns Manager, Mind (invited)
Case Study: A Whole-University Approach to Mental Health
- Guidance on how to create environments that prioritise mental health and wellbeing from a University Mental Health Charter (UMHC) 2025 awarded university
- Assessing a whole-university approach in compliance with the UMHC to ensure commitment from higher education providers by the end of 2026
- Critical examination of UMHC Action Plan with expert takeaways to further progress your student support delivery
- Deep dive into Learn, Support, Work and Live domains, evaluating current strategies, diverse student needs, and identifying improvements to deliver robust and comprehensive support across the university
Mark Sawyer, Head of Wellbeing and Welfare, University of Exeter (invited)
Questions & Answers
Lunch Break
Keynote: International Student Mental Health: Institutional Approaches and Strategic Priorities
- Examining the diverse experiences that international students face to ensure all identities, cultures and experiences are effectively supported
- Sharing insights into international student mental health to provide wellbeing providers with strategies and greater understandings of the complexities which differ from UK-domiciled students
- Navigating the challenge of non-transferable approaches to international students including intersecting identities, cultural differences and language barriers
- Actionable next steps to make support services more culturally inclusive to provide structured support for international students
Dominic Smithies, Head of Influencing and Communications, Student Minds (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Embedding Inclusion in Student Mental Health: Supporting Diverse Identities
- Guidance from UMHC award winning university on supporting mental health for students from LGBTQ+ communities
- Examining the challenges that are faced by people who identify with LGBTQ+ communities to ensure robust support systems and provide reasonable adjustments
- Developing strategies for an inclusive approach to student support networks, through identifying whole-university strategies and providing a safe and supportive environment for all students
- Programmes and leadership initiatives to reduce the chance of increased anxiety and depression for students facing exposure to minority stress, discrimination, stigma and exclusion
Sam Hawkins, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Anglia Ruskin University (invited)
Questions & Answers
Breakout Networking: Sustainable Student Service Strategies
Join our breakout networking to discuss the obstacles faced in providing mental health and wellbeing support to students, and strategies that your organisation has implemented which have proved successful. Attendees are encouraged to share their experiences and innovative solutions whilst networking with industry peers.
Comfort Break
Case Study: Addressing Students’ Structural Concerns and Systemic Pressures
- Key takeaways from a top-rated student wellbeing university on strategies to aid the increasing pressures students face with exams, coursework, deadlines and academic stress
- Gain insights into delivering effective, holistic support that addresses the diverse drivers of student mental health challenges
- Guiding students early in their career journeys with workshops and career advisors to ease anxiety and stress linked to job search uncertainty
- Supporting students to manage cost-of-living pressures and financial burdens through drop-in sessions, financial advice, part-time job opportunities, and CV/interview support, helping to prevent mental health issues arising from systemic pressures
Paddy Woodman, Director of Student Services, University of Reading (invited)
Panel: Delivering Effective Support for Students in Crisis: Complex Wellbeing Cases, Self-Harm and Suicide
- Guidance on how to effectively support students in crisis and ensuring urgent support is effective with structured crisis plans
- Exploring approaches to preventing student suicide through policy reformation which strengthens student support strategies
- Creating suicide prevention plans that are evidence-based, focusing on debunking myths and providing actionable prevention and intervention strategies
- Highlighting the importance of a multi-agency approach to student care pathways in collaboration with GPs, the NHS and local authorities to ensure little distress for a student in crisis
Simon Phillips, Deputy Director Student Life Services, UWE Bristol (invited)
Dr Tim Alnumaani, Consultant Psychiatrist, Greater Manchester University Student Mental Health Services (invited)
Questions & Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Professor Juliet Foster, Dean of Education, King’s College London (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Previous Speakers
Dr Alana James
Associate Professor in the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences
University of Reading
Emma Roberts
Head of Law
University of Salford
Karoly Schlosser
Teaching Fellow in Mindfulness
King's College London
Chloe Lockett
Advice & Support Manager
Students’ Union at Bournemouth University
Dr Kitty Wheater
Mindfulness Chaplain
University of Edinburgh
Niamh Nicholson
Programme Development Manager
Student Minds
Andy Smith
Director of Wellbeing and Safeguarding
University of Warwick
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.
This was an amazing event with lots of relevant information and ‘food for thought’!
Really informative session by excellent speakers who are clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about supporting student mental health in HE.
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!
This is the first year I have attended this event and was pleased with how well organised it was. From registering, to the end of the day, it all seemed to flow very well and there were no hiccups along the way. The guest speakers were very knowledgeable and answered any and all questions people had. Would highly recommend to anyone working with students!
Good conference – really good agenda followed with expert insight with supporting a student’s mental health and wellbeing in HE. 
A wonderful day of opportunity to hear from other universities and mental health organisations about ways to support our students and break down barriers.
Why You Should Attend
✓ High-level keynotes on the latest government initiatives to provide clarity on the changing landscape of student mental health
✓ Actionable takeaways on supporting student mental health concerns from early intervention, waiting list period support, and crisis management
✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and senior and senior professionals across national student service teams and the public sector
✓ 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
PUBLIC SECTOR
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.
Voluntary Sector
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.
PRIVATE SECTOR
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.
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 using the enquiry form below.
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
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
