'Bridging the Gap' - A qualitative analysis of Mental Health Support Services for students in Manchester

This report aims to present the findings and recommendations from a review using qualitative research methods. This review concerns Manchester’s student population and their understanding and awareness of Mental Health Support Services (MHSS) available to them in the city.

In order to engage with as many students as possible, we decided upon two venues to conduct our interviews. We initially held a stall on the University of Manchester Campus at University Place. After two visits to University Place, we held a further engagement session at Manchester Central Library in one of their study carrels. We did this to engage with students who told us they felt apprehensive speaking about this sensitive subject at our stall on campus.

We found that the majority of students we spoke with were aware of the MHSS available to them in Manchester. Moreover, the majority of students we spoke told us that that their university or college provided support and information regarding these services.

However, the majority of students we spoke with were not aware that they could use MHSS outside of their university’s or college’s provision. Furthermore, many students we spoke with revealed that despite being aware of MHSS being available, they did not know how to access them or know where they were situated.

HWM recommends that Universities and colleges in Manchester should in future promote MHSS services to students via social media as well as through other channels.