LEEDS Trinity University has become one of the first institutions to join a programme which promotes good mental health for students and staff.

The Student Minds’ University Mental Health Charter Programme, led by UK charity Student Minds, brings together universities committed to making mental health and wellbeing an institution-wide priority.

By joining the Charter Programme, Leeds Trinity has committed to working towards a set of evidence-informed principles of good practice. This includes a commitment to working with staff and students to provide well-resourced and effective support services, as well as creating an environment and culture that reduces poor mental health and promotes good mental health.

The move will build on the progress that Leeds Trinity is already making, having transferred vital services online during the pandemic to support students and staff. Students can access mental health resources, contact a wide range of support professionals, and book face-to-face online appointments through the myLTU app, with support available from 9am to 10pm, seven days a week.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Charles Egbu said: "Leeds Trinity University is proud to be joining the Student Minds' University Mental Health Charter Programme. The steps that we have taken to invest in our students' mental health and wellbeing in recent years are proof of the commitment we have to ensuring our students are a name and not a number, but we know there is always more to do.

"The Charter Programme is a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the areas that require change as well as those that are making a positive impact. We welcome the support of Student Minds and other university colleagues in this next stage of our academic life."

Toby Chelms, Head of Student Support and Wellbeing at the university, said: "Since Student Minds announced the Mental Health Charter as a concept, it has inspired many new ideas across Leeds Trinity University to ensure that we focus on wellbeing within all aspects of student and staff life. As such, it made total sense that we would want to be one of the first institutions to join the charter process now it is open for application.

"As a university, we are already very conscious of the importance of embedding mental health and wellbeing across all elements of Leeds Trinity – whether that be how we approach proactive discussions around resilience, our provision of a selection of talking therapies, our links with local NHS services or our approach to our disability provision. However, we do not wish to rest on our laurels and the charter application will be a fantastic opportunity to reflect on areas that require change as well as those that we are succeeding in.