1. WEB SUMMIT
Connecting Young People With The Resources To Thrive
Why A Mental Wealth
Group? Getting Started
SPONSORS & ASSOCIATES:

2. CONTENTS:
• The Context: Why Mental Health Matters
• University Life: Pressures facing students
• The First Mental Wealth Group: History
• What is a MW Group: The model
• What are groups doing? Examples of activities
• How do we measure impact?
• What’s the first step?
• Questions…?

3. The Context
‘By 2020, Depression is projected to be the second leading
contributor to global burden of disease.’ World Health
Organisation.
So we need services, right?
Yes. But that’s not enough…
Knowledge is also needed.
But that’s not enough…
The right attitude is needed….
…the bigger picture of wellbeing. Going upstream.

4. University Life
“The growth of mental health problems among students…is a matter of
considerable concern.” Students are a ‘special case’. (Royal College of
Psychiatrists, 2011.)
“As many as 66% of university students say they have a mental health
problem despite only 0.3% of students declaring a mental health disability on
their application form nationwide.” – Time To Change, 2012.
Transition: Independence/Dependence? - Finances & Career worries -
‘Pressure cooker’ – Isolation - Domestic stuff(!)
Increasing demand for services & decreasing resources -> Stretched
resourcing -> Fragmented approaches -> Limited awareness
Attitudes, Awareness, Accessibility.
(The role of universities?)

5. The First Group
The Mind Matters Society, University of Leeds,2008.
‘Bringing mental health out of the shadows and promoting
wellbeing.’
Close integration with student union and counselling.
Wellbeing Fair, Talks, Surveys = Great feedback!

6. What is a MW Group?
A community of students committed to promoting
positive wellbeing on campus, each affiliated to their
student union and working as part of a university-
wide approach. Groups aspire to provide a valued
service to their university and to students.
Three facets:
1. A social hub
2. A communications hub
3. A leadership hub

7. What Are Groups Doing?
Bridging the divide between the
Campaigning for changes in attitude
institution and it’s students by
and policy on campus, breaking
creating dialogue around wellbeing
down barriers to wellbeing.
and increasing engagement.
Mental Wealth
Group
Hosting meetings and activities that Promoting services and resources for
promote wellbeing and offer an students through events,
inclusive, empathetic space for signposting, and information
students. sessions.
Visit http://mentalwealthuk.tumblr.com for more practical examples!

8. Measuring impact
• Attitudes towards mental health (discrimination)
• Awareness of services/resources
• Number of students involved in activities
• Feedback from staff/students
• Effect upon individual wellbeing

9. The first steps
• Decide upon what the aim & format is
(group/society/service..? campaigning?
social?)
• Engage stakeholders (counselling service,
mental health advisor..)
• Get promoting (lecture shoutouts, website
ads, posters, emails…)
• Reach out! Talk to students. Talk to staff. Talk
to MWUK.

10. Four steps to a MW Group

11. Further Links
World Health Organisation
http://www.who.int/mental_health/emergencies/expert_opinion_on_service_development_msd_2007
.pdf
RCP Report on Student Mental Health
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/files/pdfversion/CR166.pdf
Response To The Report
http://bit.ly/HJWXog
Wellbeing in Higher Education
www.brighton.ac.uk/clt/index.php/download_file/view/79/179/
Healthy Universities
http://www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk/
Mental Wealth UK resources
http://mentalwealthuk.com/resources
Time To Change article
http://bit.ly/HoKlaV

12. Mental Wealth Foundation © 2012