GCU is Scotland’s first university to win Merit Status from mental health charity Student Minds

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Mairi Watson is pictured at the reaccreditation with staff and students who have championed the campaign including Avril Williams, Rachel Simpson, Fiona Kennedy, Katie Miller-Cole, Suzanne Gallagher Kirsty MacInnes, Hamza Siddiqi, and Lisa McCabe.

Glasgow Caledonian has been awarded Merit Status by mental health charity Student Minds.

We are the first Scottish institution – and just the second in the UK – to be awarded Merit Status in Student Minds’ University Mental Health Charter Award programme.

The award recognises our outstanding commitment to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Mairi Watson said: “I am delighted that Glasgow Caledonian University has been recognised for its sector-leading approach to mental health and wellbeing with this award.

“The charter programme has helped us significantly enhance our support for students and staff, and we look forward to further building on our important partnership with Student Minds.”

Director of Student Life and University Mental Health Charter Lead Avril Williams said: “We are thrilled to have achieved a Merit in the University Mental Health Charter Award. It recognises the dedication of colleagues across GCU to embedding a whole-university approach to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our students and staff.

“Engaging with the Charter programme has enabled us to strengthen a wide range of initiatives across the University. This includes expanding support resources, further developing a culture that empowers help-seeking and reduces the stigma surrounding mental health, and reviewing our practices and policies as an institution.

“Having received valuable recommendations from Student Minds this summer, we are excited to build on this progress and see what engagement with future cycles of the Charter programme will bring to GCU.”

Rosie Tressler, CEO of Student Minds, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating that GCU is one of the first institutions to have achieved a Charter Award with Merit. Thank you for your dedication. The attainment of the Merit status reflects the unwavering commitment, hard work and effort invested by your staff and students. You've reached an extraordinary milestone, and it's a testament to your collective effort and dedication.

"We are proud of everything you have achieved and the work you will continue to do to create change and improve the mental health and wellbeing of your students and staff communities. We look forward to continuing this important journey with you and working together in the coming year.”

If you have any questions about the programme or want to get involved, please email UMHC@gcu.ac.uk

To learn more about the University Mental Health Charter at GCU, visit the dedicated webpage.