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Student Mental Health Agreement Project

The Student Mental Health Agreement (SMHA) project brings together the student association and institution to work jointly on mental health initiatives on campus.

During 2021-2022 74% of all colleges and universities in Scotland developed their Student Mental Health Agreements, meaning the project has the potential to benefit 417,600+ students. The project is the only one of its kind which specifically focuses on improving student mental health and wellbeing in the FE and HE environment in Scotland.

The SMHA collates everything the institution and students’ association is doing around metal health and wellbeing into one document. The documents focus on a variety of topics, which are determined by representatives from the student association and institution leading on the project. It encourages staff to consider a range of improvements, which could have a positive impact on the staff and student experience, whilst actively working together to assess areas to prioritise. No two SMHA’s are the same, the project encompasses the diversity of student needs and institution differences. However they all follow the same key steps when being developed.

Why should students’ associations and institutions take part?

• The project brings together different departments within a student’s association and institution, meaning that all student mental health support doesn’t rest with just one team. This shares the workload and responsibilities.
• Provides a framework for action across the academic year and allows participants to easily track progress towards their aims.
• Provides a structure to map all of the work that is ongoing across the various departments and help create a clear picture of the support offer.
• Staff and students provide feedback to shape what work is delivered and how, it isn’t just being delivered for them but with them.
• Taking part publicly demonstrates that participants are taking steps to proactively improve their mental health support offer.

Our support offer –

As the project is funded by the Scottish Government all of the below is completely free to participants!

• 1-1 consultancy support throughout the year via video, email and telephone.
• Access exclusive resources to develop SMHA’s.
• Invited to bi-annual events just for project participants, where we’ll showcase the SMHA work happening across Scotland.
• Be part of a Scotland-wide peer support network, where those leading on the project to discuss their opportunities and challenges each month.
• Opportunity to apply for the Small Grant Scheme