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State of mental health services in universities

Request 

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Freedom of Information Act 2000

I am deeply concerned as to the state of mental health services in universities in the United Kingdom.

I therefore request the following information:

  1. The amount of funding spent by your university on mental health services in each of the last five years.
  2. The number of a) counsellors b) other clinical staff employed or engaged by your university in each of the last five years.
  3. The average waiting times and longest wait for a) counselling b) other mental health services at your university in each of the last five years.
  4. The number of students referred to counselling by in-house services at your university in each of the last five years. 
  5. The number of students enrolled at your university in each of the last five years. 

I look forward to receiving your response. 

Kind regards,

 

Response

Dear Mr...,
 
I write further to your request for information dated 11 April 2019.  This request has been handled by the University in accordance with its duties and obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ("FOIA"). 
 
You requested details of:
 
  1. The amount of funding spent by your university on mental health services in each of the last five years.
  1. The number of a) counsellors b) other clinical staff employed or engaged by your university in each of the last five years.
  1. The average waiting times and longest wait for a) counselling b) other mental health services at your university in each of the last five years.
  1. The number of students referred to counselling by in-house services at your university in each of the last five years.
  1. The number of students enrolled at your university in each of the last five years.
 
The University's response to your request is set out below:
 
1. 2013/14 - £225,673

    2014/15 - £230,086

    2015/16 - £207,078

    2016/17 - £207,078

    2017/18 - £207,078

Please note this budget covers the University counselling service as a whole. There is no specific, separate budget for mental health. 

2.  2013/14 - Information not held

     2014/15 - 4

     2015/16 - 4 

     2016/17 - 4

     2017/18 - 5

3. In each of the last 5 academic years, the average wait time to see a counsellor was up to 10 days.

4. 2013/14 academic year - 435

    2014/15 academic year - 559

    2015/16 academic year - 422

    2016/17 academic year - 525

    2017/18 academic year - 560

Please note that these figures represent students using the University counselling service. 
 
5. Request refused under s.21 FOIA as the information is readily accessible by other means. The information is available from HESA - https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students
 
If you are not satisfied with the handling of your request, you may request an internal review.  Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your original letter by writing to:

Chris Ince
University Secretary
London Metropolitan University
166-220 Holloway Road
London
N7 8DB
 
Email: c.ince@londonmet.ac.uk
 
If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have a right of appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
 
The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
 
Telephone:  0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745
Website:  www.ico.gov.uk
 
There is no charge for making an appeal.
 
Kind regards,

Tracy Brathwaite
Information Compliance Officer
University Secretary's Office
London Metropolitan University
166-220 Holloway Road
London N7 8DB
Switchboard: 020 7423 0000