Student Mental Health in England: Navigating Support & Duty of Care

This episode explores the growing issue of student mental health in English universities. We look at how many students are affected, what factors contribute to poor mental health, and the debate around whether universities have a legal "duty of care" to their students. We discuss key court cases like Abrahart v University of Bristol and existing legal requirements like the Equality Act. We also cover government actions, university support services, and sector guidance aimed at improving student wellbeing and preventing tragedies.

Key Takeaways:

• More students are reporting mental health issues, though surveys show even higher numbers.
• Certain student groups face higher risks of mental health difficulties.
• The legal question of a university's general duty of care to students is complex and hasn't been fully decided by the courts.
• Universities do have legal duties under laws like the Equality Act 2010, requiring reasonable adjustments for disabled students.
• Government and universities are working on initiatives, guidance, and funding to improve mental health support and suicide prevention.

Important Definitions and Concepts:

• Duty of Care: A legal idea that someone has an obligation to take reasonable steps to avoid harming another person. Whether this fully applies to universities and their students is being debated.
• Reasonable Adjustments: Changes universities must make for students with disabilities, including mental health conditions, so they aren't unfairly disadvantaged. This is required by the Equality Act.
• Abrahart v University of Bristol: A court case that clarified universities' duties under the Equality Act for students with mental health conditions, but noted there wasn't a clear legal precedent for a general duty of care.

Discussion: Given the legal complexities and challenges universities face, how can they most effectively support students' mental health while respecting students' independence?

Source: Student mental health in England: Statistics, policy, and guidance
Research Briefing
Published Monday, 28 April, 2025

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