Mental health and wellbeing is foundational to all aspects of university life. Through providing expertise in sector frameworks, to expert-led training sessions, SUMS enables institutions to provide the best support possible to the mental wellbeing of staff and students. By implementing effective strategies and systems of support, we can help you create a positive and productive working environment.
Strategy Development and Reviews: Is Your Mental Health and Wellbeing Service Provision Fit for the Future?
At SUMS we work with institutions to help design their mental health and wellbeing strategies and advise on the practical and cultural improvements necessary to implement them. We have extensive knowledge of effective and innovative practice in the sector to inform our support for universities. Our approach includes making use of the Universities UK Stepchange: Mentally Healthy Universities Framework and the Student Minds Mental Health Charter.
New Operating Model Design and Implementation: Does Your Institution Have the Right Operating Model in Place to Support Mental Health and Wellbeing?
We combine our experience of sector frameworks and leading practice with our own knowledge and experience of what works, to help institutions review their current models and implement a more holistic ‘whole university’ approach to staff and student mental health and wellbeing. Our expert team also support institutional teams with implementing change programmes, acting as a critical friend and providing tailored training, advice and guidance to individuals and teams.
Facilitating Collaboration: Are You Connected to the Right Organisations?
SUMS supports universities in bringing together leaders, managers and staff for facilitated, cross-organisational conversations about mental health – something which impacts on all parts of an institution. We also advise and support universities on collaborating with NHS, third sector services and other local or regional organisations to provide a more joined up approach to supporting student mental health.
Training and Workshops: Does your Institution Support a Mentally Healthy Workplace?
Raising awareness and knowledge of mental health and wellbeing is proven to reduce stigma, absence and turnover with all of the associated benefits for your employees and your place of work. Aimed at managers and leaders, virtual training, delivered by SUMS’ partner Oyster Outcomes, focuses on common mental health issues and improving workplace wellbeing. Focused Mental Health First Aid courses are also available.
What Do Our Clients Say?
“…The SUMS team have helped us to challenge our assumptions, identify opportunities for improvement and, most importantly in my view, enabled us to engage with staff and students from across the university in order to gather the widest range of opinions. I have no doubt this will get us to a better place than we would have reached if we had attempted to do this work alone.”
Kirsty Palmer, Director of Student Services, Cardiff Metropolitan University