Speakers
Presentation
Student mental health needs have been rising, along with universities investment in mental health support, rising by 73% since 2020. However, the challenge is no longer simply providing services, but how to ensure modern students actually use and benefit from them.
Recent research shows that UK student support is still under utilised by students. The recent Student Mental Health Report highlights that 52% of students that do not receive support have low mental health scores, with utilisation even lower by diverse students. In addition, out of hours support remains a challenge, with 57% rating out of hours overnight support as ineffective. For support services to create impact, it is vital that students actually use them. When utilisation is low, institutions face not only increased risks around student safety and wellbeing, but also greater pressure to demonstrate value amid tightening resources.
This session explores key questions leaders can ask to evaluate whether student support solutions truly reflect modern student behaviour, expectations, and global best practices. From immediacy and student choice to access andtransparency, we’ll examine how institutions can modernise with confidence based on research, highlighting impact through case studies from the sector. Student behaviours have changed - this session will highlight how to ensure services can intentionally and strategically enhance utilisation, outcomes, and value.
Asini Wijewardane serves as Managing Director, UK for Uwill, the leading global mental health and wellness solution supporting more than 3 million students at 400+ institutions. A Boston Business Journal's 40 Under 40 honoree, Asini has also served as Uwill's Director of Counsellor Success, building, developing, and managing Uwill’s global counselor community.
With broad leadership and operational experience across three continents, her career includes roles in social enterprise, consultancy, business development, and project management, in addition to non profit organisations such as Cancer Research UK. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Middlesex University, UK, an LLB from University of London, UK, an MBA from the Olin Graduate School at Babson College, USA, and an MSc in Analytics from Harrisburg University, USA.