BNU joins University Mental Health Charter programme

We are pleased to announce that Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) has joined the University Mental Health Charter programme.

The vision of the University Mental Health Charter is for all UK universities to adopt and promote an inclusive approach to mental health, and to safeguard the wellbeing of their staff and students.

The Charter is informed by a framework developed in 2019 by mental health charity Student Minds working in consultation with leading industry experts and UK universities. Its purpose is to provide university leaders with evidence-based principles that underpin their mental health and wellbeing strategies.

The framework is guided by the Mind Mentally Healthy Universities Programme (MHUP) in the following ways:

·        Learn – Supporting student transition into university, their learning, teaching and assessment, and progression

·        Support – Improving services, risk assessments, external partnerships and pathways, proactive interventions, and information sharing

·        Work - Creating a culture and environment that supports staff wellbeing and good workplace conditions, alongside promoting positive mental health and responding appropriately to signs of risk

·        Live – Cultivating a mentally healthy environment, residential accommodation, social integration and belonging

·        Enabling MHUP themes – Sound leadership, strategies and policies, student voice and Widening Participation, cohesive support, inclusive and intersectional mental health underpinned by research and innovation

In turn, the University will gain a deeper understanding of good practice with regards to mental health and wellbeing, which it can then demonstrate and share with key partners and stakeholders, while strengthening our bid for the University Mental Health Award.  

Positive outcomes of the University Mental Health Charter programme:

·        Improved mental health and wellbeing of staff and students

·        Better recruitment, retention, satisfaction, progression, attainment, and employability rates of students

·        Improved performance, reduced absenteeism, lower turnover, and higher creativity by staff

·        Delivering on health and safety, EDI, employment and consumer legislation, HE funding and regulatory body requirements

Vice-Chancellor of BNU, Professor Nick Braisby, said:

“At Buckinghamshire New University, the health and wellbeing of our students and staff is paramount. Our new University strategy expresses a clear commitment towards measuring, protecting, and improving the health and wellbeing of all members of our University community.

“At BNU, we enthusiastically embrace partnership working with our students and staff, empowering them to make positive improvements and enabling them to learn from one another's experience. The University Mental Health Charter framework will provide us with focus and clarity on principles of good practice and will be an integral part of delivering against our strategic commitments.

“We are proud and delighted to be joining the programme and look forward to working with others to improve everyone's experience of higher education.”