Mental health and wellbeing James Crockford

Mental health and wellbeing

James Crockford, Dean of Chapel and Lead Welfare Tutor

Jesus College is, we all hope, a place where each member of our community can thrive. A key priority to enabling this is taking mental health seriously, and giving our students the tools and support to look after themselves and know where to turn when concerns arise about their wellbeing, or that of another student. With the right support in place, students are empowered to give their best academically and achieve their potential in all sorts of other ways.

It is often mentioned that there is a big rise in mental health concerns among young people, only exacerbated by the effects of the pandemic. We are increasingly fluent in speaking about our wellbeing, and capable in finding ways to approach personal challenges through self-care and support. We are also increasingly aware of how mental health intersects with other aspects of our lives –like relationships, finances, leisure and social life, or educational background. Student years can be a huge time of transition – often the first major life change someone experiences – and that can bring challenges in all sorts of ways, as well as chances to grow and learn about ourselves.

At Jesus, we are always improving how we work with students to help them look after their mental health and wellbeing, and a whole ecosystem of College and University resources and contacts provides support for our students, whatever they may be facing. This is a constantly evolving part of life at Jesus, and across the University, and I want to, as it were, give you a quick tour of at least some of the landscape.

Jesuans of all ages will no doubt remember their College Tutors, and this support, provided by trained academics

Welfare and Tutorial team, left to right: Dr Rebecca Barr, Professor Geoff Parks, The Rev ’d James Crockford, Mrs Jenny Jenyon, Professor Nick Guyatt, Ms Eleanor Lancelot, Ms Rachel Michel and Mrs Jacky Poskitt

A welfare yoga session held in the Chapel

from ‘ within the system ’ is still a key cornerstone of College pastoral care. Our Welfare Tutors (as they are now called) cover a range of ages, disciplines, and experiences, and students are welcome to seek help from whichever of the team they feel most comfortable approaching, at a daily drop-in or by appointment. Each Welfare Tutor now also acts as a designated contact for different constituents of students who may face distinctive issues or experiences, such as international students, LGBTQ+ students, or those seeking support about an experience of discrimination or harassment. This year we also welcome to the team two Ethnic and Religious Minorities Welfare Contacts, associate academics at the College who will be a port of call and source of support on any relevant matters.

Our Disability Liaison Tutor works alongside the Welfare Tutors, ensuring arrangements are in place to support the educational, examination and other needs of students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties. This includes referring students to the Disability Resource Centre where they can access trained advisors and mentors. All this support helps every student be able to give their best, as well as equipping them with skills and self-knowledge that will stay with them for life.

Students, Fellows and staff are also able to access a range of health and wellbeing support through our College Nurse, Jacky Poskitt; College Mental Health Nurse, Rachel Michel; and physiotherapist, Luke Bowman, all based in our Health and Wellbeing Centre in Library Court. It might be a short-term problem like a sports injury or back pain from those long hours in the library, or a long-term condition that needs managing throughout someone ’ s time at College; College members can be sure that friendly and professional support is on hand to help.

The University ’ s services continue to evolve, with a strategic review of mental health and wellbeing provisions currently

coming into play. All students have access to free sessions at the University Counselling Service, where a variety of therapists work with them individually over a number of sessions as needed, and can refer on to specialist or longer-term therapy if needed. I have seen first-hand, countless times, the difference it can make to get a student swiftly to suitable professional help, and how immensely grateful students (and parents) are to know the University and College have been there when needed. Alongside individual sessions, the Counselling Service also run a series of termly workshops and groups to help students develop key personal skills or understand a challenge they may be facing, like bereavement, panic, or ‘imposter syndrome ’ .

Not all wellbeing provision comes in such formalised ways, though. I am sure each Jesuan can speak of the difference it makes to your headspace to get away from the books – whether putting in the hours on the river, being part of a musical production, just letting your hair down at a Formal, or taking a turn around the College nature trail. The grassroots of looking out for each other happens peer-to-peer, with the guidance of College ‘ parents ’ and kindness of staircase mates, as well as the support of designated JCSU and MCR Welfare Officers. The latter are now a large, diverse team of committed, compassionate students wanting to do their best to care for our student community, with a listening ear and knowledge of the further resources and contacts that students can be encouraged and supported to access.

Each year, thanks to a generous donation from outgoing Senior Tutor, Professor Geoff Parks, the College celebrates students who have made exceptional contributions in the area of welfare, rewarding them with Jesuan Welfare Awards. They may have been the friend on hand to help in a crisis, or developed student welfare provision in creative and fruitful ways. It is always heartening to see the huge difference that students are making, and this committed compassion from our own students is the glue that holds together the mental health and wellbeing of a College community.

Last but not least, the students wouldn ’t forgive me if I left out one very special member of the Welfare Team – Pippy, the College Welfare Dog (pictured above), my little pastoral assistant. A very adorable beagle, she makes visits to College, including exam season ‘Pippy and Popsicles ’ ice-cream gatherings, and leads weekend dog walks (‘Walk and Wag ’) off down the river and over the fields to help students get out for much-needed fresh air and a change of scenery. She reminds us – staff, Fellows, students, alumni alike – of the wellbeing value of stopping, eating, sleeping, and being in good company! n