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Being a new student in a pandemic is not easy. New rules mean lectures are online and Freshers’ parties are banned.
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niversities themselves can’t host the mix and mingle events that help forge often lifelong friendships. At what should be the start of new horizons, students face challenging times. For some the struggle began before they left their family in the car park of their halls of residence. Around three quarters of adults experience the first symptoms of mental health problems before the age of 25. About half of all students report thoughts about self harm (Mental Health Survey
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Therapy in two weeks for students in new scheme
2020) and it’s been identified that university students are at a high risk of developing a mental health issue.
The website insidehighered.com reports that a mountain of troubling data about rising mental health problems has health advocates and providers worried about the need for additional support for struggling students, and the ability of universities to provide it. Michelle Barsoum leads a new programme that will give students from University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University a fast route to therapy. The U-COPE service will offer a single contact point for students with a history or current self harm to access the service they need – and quickly.
It’s based on Mersey Care’s Hope programme, where someone who goes to A&E with a self injury is assured 72 hours therapy starting within two weeks. Evidence shows this approach is highly successful in breaking the cycle of self harm.
