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  1. About us
  2. What we do
  3. Our services and groups
  4. Step Up
  5. Step Up University
  1. About us
  2. What we do
  3. Our services and groups
  4. Step Up
  5. Step Up University


Step Up: University

Step Up: University is a two-year co-production project funded by the City Bridge Trust and run by Rethink Mental Illness which aims to improve university student mental health across the City of London.

Step Up: University uses lived experience as a driver to create training packages looking at how to support students’ mental health during times of transition.

We are working with Universities, Students’ Unions and Student Groups to create and deliver workshops by students, for students. These workshops cover topics from exam stress to LGBTQ+ mental health, to looking after your mental health as a student parent. We combine proven cognitive behavioural therapy techniques with lived student experience to create workshops that really matter.  

The scheme is currently running at:  

  • University College London
  • Middlesex University
  • University of West London 
  • SOAS University London 
  • London Metropolitan University 
  • University of the Arts London 

 

If your University is in London, and you would like them to be part of the scheme, drop an email to stepup@rethink.org to let us know. 

Step Up Online Zines

Masculinity and mental health

Issue #5 Issue #5

BAME mental health

Issue #6 Issue #6

What do our Participant's think?

" Being a Step Up Champion has been a unique and invaluable experience that I am grateful to be a part of. Not only do you get to connect with other students from various backgrounds and courses that you may not have met otherwise, Rethink encourage a student-led approach to collaborate and create workshops that we think would be helpful to other students. The process is really fun and creative and you get the chance to share experiences in a safe space."

Kay-Lee, Student

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt comfortable talking about mental health with the people around me until I joined Step Up. However, I quickly realised that the male and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic perspective was much needed in the mental health conversation.”

Ken, Student

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about the project or would like to get involved, please contact us via email.

Further reading

Studying and mental illness

Studying can be a positive and enjoyable experience. It can help you build confidence, increase your skills and improve your mental health. But it can also be challenging and stressful.

Learn more Studying and mental illness

How you can help

If you think you, or someone you know, might be affected by mental illness, help is at hand. This guide offers practical advice on recognising the most common distress signals.

Learn more How you can help

Getting help in a crisis

If your relative has a mental illness, you may find that there are times when their mental illness gets worse. This page gives you information on who to contact if you feel that the situation has reached crisis and they need urgent help.

Learn more Getting help in a crisis

Supporting someone with suicidal thoughts

Suicide is when someone purposely ends their own life. This page looks at why someone might think about suicide and how you can help them. Talking to someone about their suicidal thoughts does not make them more likely to end their life.

Learn more Supporting someone with suicidal thoughts