A trainer’s perspective on supporting student mental health this Mental Health Awareness Month

As part of our drive to support student mental health we launched our ‘Assistive Technology Training’ website this month that was developed in partnership with our trainers. We also liaised directly with our trainers to find out how they are supporting DSA students with mental health issues during and after training sessions.

Here’s Trainer, Thomas Jackson’s perspective on student mental health, who it might affect and how Remtek Training is tailored to support students struggling:

“When a student starts at university, they are more often than not moving a substantial distance away from home. Without the support system of friends and family. This alone can be a daunting experience and start to affect the student’s mental health even without them knowing so. Coming to terms with a new environment, living with a new group of people, and trying to find where you “fit in” can be the beginning few stressors to a downward slope in mental health.

As assistive technology trainers, we are a friendly face that you will see and or speak to on a weekly basis whilst using your training hours. We understand that sometimes you just need somebody to talk to, and with our stress-free approach to training we allow the student time to ask questions and have a conversation throughout the session.

At Remtek we create a training guide tailored to each individual student. This training guide is a session-by-session plan on what will be covered and with the students help, we make sure it is at a pace suitable for them so as not to be overwhelmed with new software.

We also fill out a training strategies form that helps identify the key areas where the student needs help. Some of the questions are to do with mental health so we know how best to approach each session and if the student starts to feel uncomfortable, we can take breaks or just stop and chat for a few minutes.

With the training plan and training strategies forms filled out, we as trainers, can better understand each student, and the areas of each piece of software we need to specifically focus on to make studies seem easier, quicker and simpler. We understand that mental health issues aren’t always a constant, so if at anytime a student is feeling too much pressure, we will use the software to target that issue and explain how the software can stop university course pressures building up.

What resources are available to support student mental health?

Student Minds is the UK’s student mental health charity, empowering students and members of the university community to look after their own mental health, support others and create change.

Student Minds Resources

Student Space
Men’s Mental Health
The Wellbeing Thesis
Transition into university
Starting university
Exam stress
LGBTQ+
Looking after your mental wellbeing
Year abroad
Student finance
Support through a family health crisis
Coping with Student Life

For more information?

If you are a student and would like to book training or equipment delivery contact our admin team on 0161 745 8353 or email us at admin@remtek-online.co.uk

Get involved

If you are a student, industry professional or DSA business we would like you to get involved. We’re always looking for feedback and ‘Student Champions’ for Remtek Students to improve the student journey.

If you have advice or information that could be useful to students get in touch today. Contact Danielle at danielle@clickstartmarketing.org.