Pictured above is UNISON Cymru/Wales higher education lead Lynne Hackett
University workers supporting people struggling in serious situations such as self-harming and suicidal thoughts should receive dedicated mental health training according to a Senedd report.
Support staff across Wales are often the first point of contact for students outside their lecture rooms and, according to the latest report, feel ill-equipped to help.
UNISON, which represents thousands of university workers, found a lack of training or resources is a particular issue for staff in security, residence management and cleaning, who are often the first point of contact when students are in crisis.
The union has welcomed a key recommendation to ensure training is provided in the latest Senedd Children, Young People and Education Committee report into mental health support in Higher Education.
The report says the Welsh government should encourage all providers to ensure mental health training is accessible to all staff, both academic and support, and to those providing services that have been contracted out by the institution.
It also states there should time given to staff to attend such training.
UNISON was one of the trade unions which submitted key evidence as the basis for the report’s recommendations.
The Senedd report found that, as well as creating barriers to providing appropriate help students, a lack of training can also impact the support staff’s own mental health if they are involved in dealing with critical incidents with students.
UNISON also found university support staff are the most vulnerable to mass job cuts along with other pressures including outsourcing, reductions to pensions and low pay.
UNISON Cymru/Wales higher education lead Lynne Hackett (pictured above) said: “Support workers at universities across Wales are on the front line when it comes to helping students experiencing serious mental health issues, often with little or no training.
“UNISON welcomes the recommendation in the latest Senedd report that the Welsh government should encourage all providers to ensure mental health training is accessible to all staff and that time should be made available to ensure this training takes place.
“Our members are dedicated and caring people who want to do the best for their colleagues and students, implementing these recommendations will have positive outcomes for the university communities.”
For more information and to read the report in full click here.