Mental Health Advocacy for the Workplace and Learning Environment with the British Council
Together with the leadership of our Higher Education Committee and support from British Council Malaysia, we successfully organised the Mental Health Advocacy for the Workplace and Learning Environment event. The talks and panel discussion highlighted the growing importance of mental health support for students and staff in educational settings.
Ruth Valentine, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education at Newcastle University, acknowledged the rising number of students with mental health conditions and emphasised the evolving needs of today’s student population.
While universities offer a range of health and wellbeing services, Valentine stressed the importance of understanding the unique struggles students face and shared Newcastle University’s efforts at tailoring support accordingly.
Steve Morris, Group Commercial Director for UK & International at Learning Curve Group, noted the increasing popularity of mental health qualifications, such as Mental Health First Aid courses, indicating a growing awareness of mental health in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The panel discussion featuring Dr. Sabir Giga (Senior Lecturer in Organisational Health and Well-being, Lancaster University), Guy Perring (Regional Director – Asia, Etio Global), and Maryam Meddin (Founder & CEO, The Soke UK), moderated by Professor Vishna Devi Nadarajah, CEO and Provost of Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, offered valuable insights and opinions to the mental health scene. The discussion emphasised that mental health guidance should be accessible to all university staff, while also advocating for a shared responsibility amongst all university stakeholders in supporting student wellbeing – including student peers themselves.
The panel also highlighted the importance of addressing mental health proactively, without waiting for legislation to mandate action. There is also a need for intergenerational understanding and adaptation, and expressed concerns about potential over-reliance on AI and technology in mental health support in the future.
Advice from our Panellists to Advance Mental Health Advocacy
- Practice openness to the issue.
- Make it compulsory for leaders to attend group therapy sessions.
- Make mental health a priority.
We thank everyone who supported and attended the event, which underscored our shared responsibility to promote mental well-being within educational settings and beyond. By encouraging open dialogue, collaboration, and proactive support, we can build a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
