Question to the Department for Education:

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of mental health support available to students attending university.

The University Mental Health Charter announced in June 2018 will drive up standards in promoting student and staff mental health and wellbeing. The Charter, which will reward institutions that deliver improved student mental health outcomes, will develop in an iterative process, shaped by co-production with students, staff and partner organisations.

71 per cent of universities do not have an explicit strategy for mental health provision although 94 per cent of higher education institutions (HEIs) report an increase in demand for counselling services over the past five years. In some HEIs, up to one in four students are using, or are waiting to use, counselling services.