Mum to 2 tiny super stars | Reader King’s College London (IoPPN) | Founder Student Minds| Leader SMaRTeN, UNISMaRT & UBelong | students and public mental health
📈 CLOSER and CIDER could transform educational research reporting—enhancing replicability, evidence synthesis, and policy translation. Join the movement:
Transitioning to university life often worsens ED symptoms due to disrupted care. Enhanced pre-arrival support and flexible health access are vital. Explore the research:
The University Mental Health Charter in the UK is a promising example of an evidence-informed framework for student mental health. More research is needed on how to implement such models globally.
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Katie Rakow revealed two key preferences for VLE data use: (1) non-judgmental, personalized support and (2) aggregated insights for improving course design. Students valued transparency and control over their data. URL:
Students with EDs face systemic challenges, but targeted improvements—such as dual GP registration and shared care plans—can make a big difference. Study link:
Loneliness is a major risk factor for poor student mental health, yet university structures often don’t support meaningful social connection. Large classes, online learning, and single housing increase isolation.
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International students experience additional stressors—cultural adjustment, discrimination, and language barriers. Universities play a crucial role in providing accessible mental health support.
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With increased attention to student mental health, tailored support for EDs must also be prioritized. Early intervention and seamless care paths are critical. Learn more:
🧠 Why are reporting standards critical? Poor reporting limits the synthesis of evidence and slows progress in educational research. CLOSER and CIDER offer a solution:
🔬 Robust evidence for educational interventions starts with better reporting. CLOSER and CIDER help researchers provide the detail needed for transparent, replicable research. Read the open-access paper:
Student views on VLE data varied widely. Some were indifferent if they saw no privacy threat, but others worried about surveillance, judgment, and how their digital behavior might be misinterpreted. URL:
Ethical VLE data policies should treat students as “data owners.” Co-developing guidelines with students can enhance trust, autonomy, and mental well-being, ensuring data use aligns with their needs. URL:
Universities should adopt a settings-based approach to mental health—integrating well-being into academic life, campus design, and social structures. Support must go beyond individual interventions.
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Students moving away for university face loneliness, isolation, and disrupted support networks. Universities must foster social connection to improve mental health outcomes.
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Academics want to support students.
They’re skilled, caring, and committed.
But without the right structure — it’s too much to carry alone.
We need systems that hold that care:
🔹 Clear boundaries
🔹 Supportive cultures
This isn’t just possible.
It’s happening.
doi.org/10.1111/jan....
Empathy matters! Some students modify their behavior to support lecturers, showing how mutual respect & understanding shape the learning environment. Learn more: link.springer.com/article/10.1...#EmpathyInEducation
🔑 Good reporting isn't just about transparency—it strengthens evidence-based practice in education. CLOSER and CIDER aim to build trust and comparability in intervention research. Details:
Listening. Encouraging. Checking in. Reaching out.
This is the invisible labour many healthcare academics take on.
It’s powerful. It’s human.
But it’s also draining — and rarely acknowledged.
💡 What if universities made it easier to care?
Better recognition. Better systems.
Aggregate data use for improvement gets student approval, but concerns arise about individual data misuse. Use of VLE analytics matter. Participants believe they should control who sees their data and for what purposes. Read:
Complex and rigid referral pathways, such as BMI-based treatment eligibility, exclude many students with EDs. More inclusive criteria could improve access. Learn more:
Healthcare training can take students into tough territory.
Some content stirs up past experiences.
Some placements land harder than expected.
But here’s the good news:
We can design better.
doi.org/10.1111/jan....
Universities should focus on manageable workloads, small class sizes, and fewer admin tasks to protect lecturer wellbeing, benefiting the whole academic community. Study: link.springer.com/article/10.1...#HigherEdLeadership
Academics on healthcare courses often feel torn between two roles: teacher and clinician.
But these blurred lines also reflect deep care.
Your skills, empathy and instincts matter — especially when students don’t know where else to turn.
🌍 Educational interventions often vary across contexts. CLOSER and CIDER promote transparent reporting, making research findings easier to apply in diverse settings. Learn more:
Students recognize a reciprocal cycle: Happy, engaged lecturers lead to better student engagement & outcomes. This highlights the need for holistic wellbeing strategies. Article: link.springer.com/article/10.1...#EducationReform
Healthcare academics often carry dual responsibilities.
They care deeply about their students' wellbeing 💙
But they also have a duty to ensure patient safety 🏥
Sometimes these roles can feel in conflict.
But they share a common goal: keeping people safe, seen, and supported.
🧵The BBC highlights a rise in student mental health issues. But there's more to this story.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Yes, demand for support is growing. But students aren’t “less resilient” — they’re facing real structural pressures, and they’re asking for better systems.
It is important
A novel conceptual model identifies how universities can support student Quality of Life (QoL), from fostering social connections to managing pressures. Details:
📄 CIDER provides a structured approach to describing educational interventions—detailing content, delivery, timing, and evaluation—making interventions easier to replicate. Full checklist here:
Many healthcare lecturers feel pulled between being an educator and a health professional.
But that dual identity can be a strength.
You know how to listen, support, and signpost — and that can make all the difference. 💙
Belonging isn’t built in lecture halls alone.
Students find community in their accommodation, local towns, and shared lived experiences.
Compassionate campuses meet them where they are 👉
“Being heard” is more than letting students speak.
It’s responding, adapting, and showing care in every interaction—from assessment extensions to pastoral support.
Learn more 👉
