A refreshed and updated Student Mental Health Agreement (SMHA) at Forth Valley College which was launched today (Thursday 13 March), aims to continue to raise awareness and promote positive wellbeing for students during their studies and as they transition out of College.
The agreement sets out the Forth Valley Student Association’s and the College’s commitment to working in partnership to promote positive mental wellbeing for all students, and has been signed by FVC Principal Kenny MacInnes and FVSA Vice President Kirsten Kennedy.
It was created in conjunction with the Think Positive initiative which is a partnership between the National Union of Students Scotland (NUS Scotland) and the Scottish Government.
At its heart is a desire to work with Colleges and universities to encourage them to work with Student Associations in order to signpost students to where they can access resources to help them with their mental health and wellbeing.
FVC also boasts a Student Mental Health Agreement Working Group which is made up of representatives from College Departments such as the Learning Resource Centre, the Gym Team, Inclusion and Student Services, Active Campus, Active Travel, Communications and Marketing as well as the FVSA and representatives from each group attended the launch along with Kirsten (all pictured here).
A series of four pledges – promising to provide students with mental health and wellbeing support surrounding their studies and personal life and to support their educational attainment – have been agreed by an experienced and knowledgeable committee of staff and student representatives.
The pledges are:
- To highlight support services, both internal and external, that are available to students throughout the academic year.
- To hold mental health events and activities throughout the year to raise awareness, offer support and guidance as well as challenge stigma and discrimination.
- To promote activities to support students in signposting to FVSA, College and external support services.
- To promote internal and external mental health support services to groups of students who are under-represented in current engagement data.
Kirsten Kennedy, Vice President Forth Valley Student Association, said: “Student mental health is very close to my heart as when I was studying, I was helped by the College in this regard and utilised the services that were available. That is why I took the issue on in my manifesto when I was running for office in the FVSA.
“Forth Valley College are absolutely wonderful when it comes to providing support to students in relation to mental health and wellbeing. No student should be scared to come forward to use these services. Mental health impacts us all on a daily basis and any student who feels the need for advice and help, should seek the help they need from the College as they will be well supported.”
Lisa Baxter, FVC’s Student Association and University Partnership Manager, who also attends the Student Mental Health Agreement Working Group meetings, said: “Within the College we have a Working Group – representatives of which were all present at the launch along with Kirsten – and the group is a great example of cross college department partnership working. This group makes sure that important messaging for students on mental health and wellbeing is signposted, both internally and externally, and to make sure the action plan within the agreement is implemented and we are very proud of it.”
Kenny MacInnes, Principal of Forth Valley College, said: “I am so pleased that the College and Student Association continues to strengthen our partnership working around the Student Mental Health Agreement. This partnership is essential to ensuring that student voices are centred in our mental health and wellbeing services and that the College is designing and delivering resources and support in a way that works for our students.”
For more information Think Positive visit Forth Valley College - Think Positive and for more information on the FVSA visit https://www.fvsa.co.uk/
