Book contents
- Improving University Mental Health
- Improving University Mental Health
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Foreword
- Acknowledgements and Thanks to Contributors
- Chapter 1 Introducing This Handbook
- Chapter 2 Building a New Sense of Belonging
- Chapter 3 The Transition to University for New Students with Pre-Existing Mental Conditions
- Chapter 4 The Roles of Parents and Carers
- Chapter 5 Healthy Bodies, Body Image Concerns, Eating Disorders
- Chapter 6 Alcohol
- Chapter 7 Substance Misuse
- Chapter 8 Social (and Anti-social) Media
- Chapter 9 Finance and Mental Health
- Chapter 10 Neurodiversity
- Chapter 11 Ethnically Diverse University Communities
- Chapter 12 Sexual Behaviour and Gender Identity in Universities
- Chapter 13 The Mental Health of Teaching and Academic Staff
- Chapter 14 An Overview of Mental Disorders in Students and Staff
- Chapter 15 ‘Psychotic’ Disorders
- Chapter 16 Mood Disorders
- Chapter 17 Suicide at University
- Chapter 18 Mental Health Services on Campus and in the NHS
- Chapter 19 Students of the Professions and ‘Fitness to Practise’ Issues
- Chapter 20 Summing It All Up
- Index
- References
Chapter 4 - The Roles of Parents and Carers
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 February 2024
Book contents
- Improving University Mental Health
- Improving University Mental Health
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Foreword
- Acknowledgements and Thanks to Contributors
- Chapter 1 Introducing This Handbook
- Chapter 2 Building a New Sense of Belonging
- Chapter 3 The Transition to University for New Students with Pre-Existing Mental Conditions
- Chapter 4 The Roles of Parents and Carers
- Chapter 5 Healthy Bodies, Body Image Concerns, Eating Disorders
- Chapter 6 Alcohol
- Chapter 7 Substance Misuse
- Chapter 8 Social (and Anti-social) Media
- Chapter 9 Finance and Mental Health
- Chapter 10 Neurodiversity
- Chapter 11 Ethnically Diverse University Communities
- Chapter 12 Sexual Behaviour and Gender Identity in Universities
- Chapter 13 The Mental Health of Teaching and Academic Staff
- Chapter 14 An Overview of Mental Disorders in Students and Staff
- Chapter 15 ‘Psychotic’ Disorders
- Chapter 16 Mood Disorders
- Chapter 17 Suicide at University
- Chapter 18 Mental Health Services on Campus and in the NHS
- Chapter 19 Students of the Professions and ‘Fitness to Practise’ Issues
- Chapter 20 Summing It All Up
- Index
- References
Summary
Families continue to provide immense financial and psychosocial support to their student age children. ‘Estranged students’ and those who are themselves carers suffer financial, academic and social obstacles to a successful university experience. Parents now expect greater participation in the lives of their student children, as financial realities empower them to influence their children’s choices. From age 18 students are deemed ‘adults’, but without adult rights to an independent student loan, or legal compulsion on their parents to provide finance. Parents have little feedback or power over the resource they are asked to finance. Communication between universities and parents has attracted controversy. Universities are experimenting with ways to clarify how nominated carers can be consulted about students at risk. Families may become the unsupported carers when a student has left university in an unplanned way, as well as when the course comes to an end. The chapter considers the value of developing a ‘leavers’ programme’, analogous to freshers weeks, as well as a specific package of supports for students who leave in an unplanned way.
Keywords
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- Information
- Improving University Mental Health , pp. 33 - 53Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2024
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