Confirming our commitment to support mental health

Earlier this month marked the annual World Mental Health Day and University of Northampton (UON) can now announce an extra reason to celebrate its range of comprehensive advice, signposting and support for members of its community.

UON has joined 101 universities taking part in the Student Minds’ 2025/26 University Mental Health Charter Programme.

From embedding wellbeing in curriculum to creating safer and more effective support services, signing up to the Charter confirms that UON is taking steps to improve student and staff wellbeing and demonstrate a commitment to sustaining this as a long-term strategic priority.

The University has long been committed to supporting mental health, launching a dedicated counselling and mental health service for students in 1997.

The University’s mental health service has gone from strength to strength since then, with Mental Health Advisers and Disability Support Allowance funded mentors, tasked with supporting prospective and current undergraduate and postgraduate students throughout their university experience.

The Counselling and Mental Health Team host drop-in sessions that students can attend, either in person or over the phone.

The University has also provided Mental Health First Aiders for its staff since 2020 (Nursing students have received MHFA training since 2017). They can identify the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues, and signpost people to appropriate services. There are currently 253 staff ‘MHFAers’.

Frank Jordan, Head of Staff Development, says: “We are proud to join the Student Minds’ University Mental Health Charter Programme for this academic year. Together, we are demonstrating how universities can tackle sector-wide challenges by maintaining mental health as a core priority, something that we already take great pride in at UON.”