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The role of the Student Mental Health Advisers is to provide support for students who may have had, or are experiencing moderate to severe or enduring mental health difficulties.
Students can be referred into The Student Mental Health Advisers via the Student Mental Health Intervention Officers. This can be through a self-referral or a referral on behalf of a student by another student or a member of staff. A referral to the Student Mental Health Intervention Officers can be made through our Referral Form.
The SMHAs abide by the Student Counselling and Mental Health Advice Service Confidentiality and Data protection policy.
The Student Mental Health Advisers do not offer an emergency service. In an emergency, please contact your doctor or attend your nearest accident and emergency department at the hospital.
Student Mental Health Advice
At the first meeting the student’s needs are assessed, confidentiality and consent is discussed, and an individual support plan is created. This may include:
- Practical advice
- Signposting to another service within College
- Liaising with academic or other College staff, with the students consent
- Education and information about particular conditions
- Advice on how to recognise and cope in a crisis
- Relapse prevention strategies and care planning
- Liaising with other College support services such as the Disability Advisory service or Student Counselling, Liaising with external health providers where appropriate and with the student consent
Students can be seen on an on-going or intermittent basis or for assistance with specific issues requiring short term intervention/support.
All members of staff can contact the Student Mental Health Intervention Officers and speak confidentially about concerns they may have about a student’s wellbeing. The Student Mental Health Intervention Officers will then be able to advise on a referral via the Concerned About a Student route, which could result in an assessment with a Mental Health Adviser.
The Student Mental Health Advisers can offer a source of information and advice for staff who are supporting students who have been referred through this process and are receiving ongoing support.
The Student Mental Health Advisers can be contacted by email at studentmentalhealthadvice@imperial.ac.uk