AMOSSHE The Student Services Organisation welcomes the guidance published by Universities UK about sharing information with trusted contacts when there are serious concerns about a student’s safety or mental health (Suicide-safer universities: sharing information with trusted contacts). AMOSSHE was pleased to be part of the advisory group that developed the guidance. It is our view that the guidance, which is not mandatory, provides a useful framework to assist higher education providers review their current procedures and policies to support students in crisis and those who are experiencing a decline in mental health.

We believe that a student’s support network can play a pivotal role in their wellbeing. However, the choice of our adult students should always be at the heart of decisions about their wellbeing and we recognise that it is not always appropriate for a student’s family to be contacted in the event of a crisis. Therefore, we welcome the recommendation to identify a trusted contact of a student’s choosing. We strongly support university staff undertaking a risk assessment in the event of a crisis to ascertain whether contacting a trusted contact is the most appropriate and safest action to take.

AMOSSHE members are committed to supporting students to the best of our abilities within the bounds of our remit, which includes working with all relevant stakeholders including GPs, NHS services and students’ supporters to manage their health and wellbeing.