Pause carousel
Play carousel
Student Mental Health Agreement establishes a collaborative framework for support and wellbeing initiatives
Abertay University and the Abertay Students’ Association have signed a new agreement aimed at enhancing student mental health and wellbeing over the next two years.
The Student Mental Health Agreement (SMHA), signed on University Mental Health Day (Thursday 13 March 2025), establishes a collaborative framework for improving mental health support for students.
Jointly developed by the Students’ Association and the University’s Counselling and Mental Health Team, the agreement identifies three key focus areas for implementing wellbeing initiatives across campus.
These focus areas include enhancing digital resources, training staff to manage mental health emergencies, fostering an inclusive culture for mental health discussions, and addressing loneliness among students.
Signed by Abertay Principal Professor Liz Bacon and Student President Dounia Allaiouti, the agreement will be reviewed and updated every two years to ensure it effectively meets the mental health and support needs of Abertay students.
Dounia said:
The Student Mental Health Agreement is an exciting milestone that truly puts students at the centre of our mental health efforts. It’s about making sure that students’ voices are heard and that they feel supported in every way possible. This agreement isn't just a document; it's a commitment to working together to create real, lasting changes that improve the student experience at Abertay.
The agreement also maps the current support services available at Abertay and incorporates research on the challenges students face, along with consultations involving both students and staff.
Abertay provides a wide range of health and wellbeing services, including counselling, disability and learning support, and access to sports facilities. Additionally, the recent redevelopment of the Tell Us platform has improved the reporting of bullying, harassment, discrimination, and gender-based violence on campus.
Professor Liz Bacon said:
Supporting student mental health is a top priority for Abertay. The SMHA underscores our commitment, in partnership with the Students' Association, to create a supportive environment where every student can thrive. While significant work is already underway, it can often be fragmented across various areas. The SMHA serves as a cohesive framework to promote, strengthen, and enhance access to mental health resources.
The Abertay agreement is part of the NUS Think Positive Student Mental Health Project, which provides a framework for promoting and developing mental health support for students at universities and colleges across Scotland.
The "Think Positive Hub" consolidates the latest projects, services, resources, and news related to student mental health in Scotland. It also offers a comprehensive overview of the mental health support services available at every college and university in Scotland.
