Embedding Mental Wellbeing in the Curriculum: Call for Examples of Current Practice

[Jill Anderson]

This project aims to gain insights in to approaches to learning, teaching and assessment that promote and support the wellbeing of both staff and students, across all disciplines in higher education.  Our primary focus is on the curriculum (and the role of those involved in its planning and delivery), rather than on student support services.

 

We are interested in approaches to curriculum planning, delivery and assessment which seek to:

·      minimise unnecessary stress for students and/or staff

·      promote understanding and awareness of mental wellbeing and distress (outside health and social care disciplines where this is core content)

·      take account of students’ own experiences of mental wellbeing and distress

 

In addition to examples involving a single educator or programme team, we are interested in:

• collaborative initiatives – for example, between academics and student support staff

• peer support initiatives

• initiatives involving members of the public (eg people with experience of using mental health services)

 

We are interested in any approach  to recruitment and selection, curriculum content, planning or delivery which has a direct or indirect focus on raising awareness and promoting the mental wellbeing of students and staff in any discipline.

 

If you have an example, please take a few minutes to share it using our:

ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM 

http://goo.gl/Km415x

We will then be in touch for further details.

 

This project is funded by the Higher Education Academy and is being undertaken by the REAP (Researching Equity, Access and Participation) group, based in the Department of Educational Research at Lancaster University.  It aims to generate some principles for designing and teaching the curriculum that take account of the links between mental wellbeing and learning and can help to maximise success for all students and staff.

We would welcome hearing from as many people as possible so do please forward to anyone else you know who may be in a position to contribute.  Do get in touch if you have any queries or suggestions.