At ColegauCymru, we’re proud to support Mental Health Awareness Week (12–18 May) and this year’s theme, Community. Further education has a vital role in promoting wellbeing, and across Wales, colleges are making a real difference.
We’re pleased to share this blog from George Watkins, Senior Policy and Campaigns Officer at Mind Cymru, highlighting the importance of supporting mental health in FE and the positive work already taking place.
Good mental health and wellbeing are extremely important for further education. In every year, 1 in 4 people will have a mental health problem. This could be anyone, young or old, from any part of Wales. These experiences of poor mental health can be triggered by experiences in your life, such as studying. Other pressures, such as the financial impact of the cost-of-living crisis can add to worries that can impact how well you are able to learn. For someone studying in further education, getting the right support at the right time can help manage wellbeing better and succeed in learning. 
Why it’s important
Mental health is connected to every little thing we do, every place we go and every person around us. It’s our physical health, our finances, our relationships. It’s part of our defining moments and the day to day. That’s why we need to be talking about it. Why we need to be spreading awareness. And why we need to be reaching as many people in as many places as we can.
Mental health support in action
Colleges provide vital wellbeing support for learners. Their dedicated student services teams and dedicated pastoral roles have a valuable impact. A positive culture around mental health must permeate through the student body, workforce, and the organisation itself. This will encourage empathy, open conversations and support that works for every student, whatever their background. Culturally competent support, particularly for those from racialised communities, is particularly important to consider.
Coleg Cambria
There are good examples of colleges supporting students well across Wales. The Mental Health & Wellbeing Team at Coleg Cambria, for example, are passionate about providing the best support and resources to promote active wellbeing and good mental health. This includes everything from dedicated trauma-informed wellbeing staff to Wellbeing Hubs and face-to-face counselling. The funding for these resources comes from different places. It is important that this money is consistent and clearly directed to help the students who would benefit from it the most.
Bridgend College
Supporting the mental health and well-being of learners is also a top priority for Bridgend College. Encouraging learners and staff to actively recognise and support theirs and others’ wellbeing needs is important to foster a good mental health. Learners have access to wellbeing courses and self-directed learning resources. Bridgend College also has a dedicated Active Wellbeing Lead. Regular physical exercise is crucial not only for maintaining physical health but also for enhancing mental well-being, improving concentration, and boosting overall academic performance. Physical exercise is a key aspect of your wellbeing that can help you succeed while studying.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, the Mind theme is ‘Mental health is everything, everywhere, everyone.’ These colleges are good examples of how further education has embraced the value of supporting students with their wellbeing alongside their studies. Similarly, at Mind Cymru, we don’t look at mental health on its own. Through our services, information and campaigns we explore all the parts of a person’s life, so better mental health can inspire a happier and healthier society overall. Helping us spread awareness will help us reach every part of society and every person who needs the support we provide.
The mental health support we offer as Mind Cymru is varied. It’s lots of different helplines, designed to meet different needs - from legal advice to emotional support. And it’s our incredible network of local Minds across England and Wales, whose mental health services address the challenges their communities face. Because we know that mental health touches everything and everyone – support should too.
Each year, our 16 local Minds in Wales support around 38,000 people. To find your local Mind, the helplines we offer or more information about mental health, head to our website. Your local Mind will provide a range of services unique to each one, such as money advice services, face-to-face counselling or support groups. You can also work with and support your local Mind through fundraising or partnership by contacting them directly.
Mental health is everything, everywhere, everyone. Join the fight, so no mind gets left behind, in further education and beyond. We’re all unique and our lives are too, but mental health is a fundamental part of all of us. Join Mind Cymru this Mental Health Awareness Week – together we can make sure no mind is left behind.
George Watkins
George Watkins is the Senior Policy and Campaigns Officer at Mind Cymru. His work focuses on campaigning for kinder and more effective inpatient mental health care across Wales.
Further Information
The ColegauCymru Active Wellbeing Strategy focuses on the value of physical activity for good mental health
2020 - 2025
