Abingdon & Witney College makes commitment to support mental health and wellbeing

The 11-point document includes commitments to:

• Promoting equality of opportunity and challenging mental health stigma
• Providing appropriate mental health training for staff
• Providing targeted individual mental health support where appropriate

Colleges across England teach and train 2.2 million people each year – including 685,000 young people. Every year, 1 in 10 young people experience a mental health problem and 1 in 5 young people aged 16-24 experience a common mental illness such as anxiety or depression at any one time. Add to these facts, 75% of adults with a diagnosable mental health problem experience their first symptoms before the age of 24 means Abingdon & Witney College plays a vital role in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of its students and staff. 

Jacqui Canton, Principal at Abingdon & Witney College, said:

“Positive mental health and wellbeing has never been more important and therefore I am delighted to confirm that Abingdon and Witney College has signed up to the AoC’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter.  We already do a huge amount to support our students, staff team and the communities we work with, but we are always looking at ways to do more.  This is a fantastic initiative which will help us to focus even more closely on this really important issue.”

Richard Caulfield, Mental Health lead at the Association of Colleges, said:

“Every single day colleges like Abingdon & Witney College provide a world class education and transform the lives of millions of people. This includes providing support for both staff and student wellbeing at the right time, in the right place. This charter gives colleges the chance to publicly state their commitment to the mental health agenda.”

The Education Support Partnership said:

“Education Support Partnership fully endorses the commitments outlined in the Mental Health Charter and look forward to working closely with AoC and the wider FE sector to raise the standards of wellbeing and mental health provision for the entire workforce.”

Luciana Berger MP says:

“We know that young people in our country are facing a mental health crisis. We also know that our teaching workforce is experiencing endemic levels of stress and mental ill health.

“The measures set out in this charter will help promote early intervention for those struggling with their mental health. We know that a supportive environment and being able to stay in meaningful education, training or work is one thing that can promote recovery.

“Additionally, adopting a proactive attitude to mental health awareness can help to prevent a short period of mental ill health developing into a mental health condition or longer-term illness. Prevention is of vital importance if we are to end the mental health crisis our young people are currently facing. I would encourage colleges across the country to sign up to the charter and send their students and staff a clear message that if they are struggling with their mental health, support is available.”