Greater Manchester has become home to the UK’s first dedicated health centre for students suffering from severe mental difficulties at local universities, with a specialist team of academics and medics on hand to support students with psychosis, depression and eating disorders. The £1.6m funded service aims to prevent suffering students ‘falling through the cracks’ of university life.
The clinic was launched at the beginning of the autumn term and has since been consulted by 40 students, with this number expected to increase to 500 students per year. By prioritising students’ welfare, drop-out rates are expected to rapidly decline in a city with a student population of over 100,000.
“This service is a really important part in saying: you can do this and we’ll support you while you’re here,” says one University of Manchester student.
A Stable System
The diverse medical team, which includes psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health nurses, means the clinic can treat students with a range of complex health issues.
In addition, the clinic operates a smooth service by co-ordinating with universities’ counselling services. Students can be assessed and treated by both parties and, depending on severity, can be swiftly referred to specialist care without having to navigate the complexities and barriers themselves.
