MP Helen Goodman brands Bristol’s approach to student mental health as ‘arrogant’

By Benjamin Salmon, Deputy News Editor and Maggie Sawant, Students Union Correspondent

Labour MP Helen Goodman has criticised the apparent 'arrogance' of the University of Bristol.

Last week, following a segment on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, which discussed student wellbeing at Bristol University, Goodman tweeted that if her child were applying for universities she would not send them to Bristol – calling what is assumed to be the University’s administration ‘a bunch of sh**s'.

Speaking to Epigram, she said: ‘what Bristol University care about is their reputation, so the way to get them to change is to attack that.’

The MP for Bishop Auckland called Bristol and others top institutions ‘obsessed with research’ and argued they ‘don’t take seriously their teaching responsibilities.’

Goodman also stated that universities across the country need to improve their welfare provisions through better training for lecturers in teaching and understanding students and a proper system of pastoral care and wellbeing.’

‘Obviously, you need better mental health services, but I'm interested in prevention. Students shouldn't get to this desperate point.’

'Students shouldn't get to this desperate point.'
Helen Goodman MP

In an interview with the Bristol Post, Goodman also highlighted the need for further training for lecturers. 'These people are clearly experts in subjects like physics but they do not seem to know much about people.

‘How can you be required to have a PGCE (Post-Graduate Certificate in Education) to be a schoolteacher but not be trained as a higher education lecturer in understanding mental wellbeing and being able to identify trigger points?’

Ms Goodman added that institutions should be more prepared to involve families before crises are reached.

This year, the University of Bristol introduced an opt-in system which allows students to give consent for the University to tell parents or guardians if they are struggling with mental health problems at university. 94 per cent of Bristol students signed up to the scheme which allows data-protection laws, which forbid the sharing of sensitive medical information, to be overlooked in the interest of students’ mental health and wellbeing.

Goodman also suggested a change to the current NHS system saying students should be able to register with GPs both at home and at university.

Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience, Professor Sarah Purdy, told Epigram: “It’s disappointing to read Helen Goodman’s comments on social media which appear to have been made after she had heard the story in the media.

'There are clear inaccuracies in what she has told you and other media.

'Everyone at the University is deeply affected by a student death and committed to doing all that we can to keep our students safe. We continue to challenge ourselves to improve our academic processes and student support on an ongoing basis, and we have reviewed everything we do.

'This has led to the introduction of a whole-institution approach to mental health and wellbeing with substantially strengthened support for our students in their accommodation, in academic schools and through central support services.  This includes training for staff from a wide range of backgrounds in mental health issues.

'This has enabled us to provide more proactive support for student wellbeing, both for our students during their transition into University and to help create a sense of community and wellbeing during their time with us. Our enhanced teams are also able to provide direct support for students whenever they need it, 24/7, throughout the year.

'We want to help our students maintain good physical and mental wellbeing and not reach crisis point.'
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience, Professor Sarah Purdy

'This echoes the point Helen Goodman makes – we want to help our students maintain good physical and mental wellbeing and not reach crisis point.

'Our approach is clearly reflected in our Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which was launched earlier this year. We have introduced an opt-in system, which allows us to reach out to nominated contacts if we feel a student is at significant risk. We also encourage students to disclose any challenges they may have before they arrive, so we can best support them from the beginning of their transition to University.

'We have also played a leading role in the development of a UUK Suicide Safer Strategy for universities which is being adopted nationally to ensure measures are put in place to provide the best possible support and early intervention measures for students.

'Following media coverage of her comments I contacted Helen Goodman’s office to offer to speak to her and explain what we are actually doing here at the University of Bristol to support our students and staff. She somewhat surprisingly and disappointingly declined to speak to me.'

Featured image: Epigram / Cameron Scheijde

Student support services include:
Young Minds https://youngminds.org.uk/ 0808 802 5544
Nightline https://www.nightline.ac.uk/want-to-talk/
Papyrus https://www.papyrus-uk.org/ 0800 068 41 41
Student Minds http://www.studentminds.org.uk/findsupport.html

What do you think of Helen Goodman's comments? Let us know below!

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