Beyond the Student Mental Health Crisis – A Collaborative Transatlantic Symposium

For over twenty years, studies have underscored a concerning surge in psychological distress among university students, alongside growing apprehension about staff wellbeing. While discussions about a mental health crisis in higher education are widespread, many crucial questions persist:

1. What underlying factors are fueling this rise in mental health difficulties?
2. How does the language we use around mental health influence the experiences of students and staff?
3. Do existing strategies address the needs of university communities, or might they inadvertently exacerbate the issue?

This symposium will convene leading scholars, university administrators, and mental health experts to examine these urgent matters. It offers a chance to engage with the latest research, challenge dominant narratives, and explore how institutions can fulfill their responsibilities within the broader landscape of education, community, healthcare, and social services.

The symposium has been organized in collaboration with Advance HE, the University of Oxford, the Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education Group, the Association for University & College Counselling Center Directors (AUCCCD), and Togetherall.

Register for the symposium here