The University of Aberdeen and Aberdeen University Students' Union have launched a renewed joint commitment to strengthen mental health and wellbeing support for every student. The 2026-2029 Student Mental Health Agreement sets out how we'll work together to create a university experience where you feel supported, included, and empowered throughout your studies.
We know that mental health is central to academic success and a positive student life. This agreement focuses on making sure our systems, processes, and culture actively support your wellbeing — and that you know how to access help, build essential wellbeing skills, and feel confident doing so.
Professor Peter Edwards, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, said:
"Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our student community is one of our most important responsibilities. I am pleased to co-sign the Student Mental Health Agreement for 2026–2029 with the Students’ Union, reinforcing our shared commitment to further strengthening the supportive culture and environment that enables students to access the help they need to thrive during their time at the University of Aberdeen.
"The agreement outlines clear priorities for the next three years, including embedding wellbeing in the curriculum, reducing stigma, and improving communication about available support. I look forward to continuing our work with the Students’ Union as we take these commitments forward together.”
Karim Hurtig, the current Vice-President for Welfare at the Student’s Union, said:
"I'm happy to see this piece of strategic work for students' mental health and wellbeing over the line, signed by Pete and myself. The Student Mental Health Agreement shows both the University and Students' Union are committed to working in partnership for students, ensuring they have all the support they need while at the University of Aberdeen and fostering a culture that tackles stigma and creates openness around mental health.”
“The three-year agreement provides scope for future projects with enough time to implement meaningful change for our students through the yearly action plans."
Curriculum: Embedding Wellbeing Across Teaching and Learning - Students have told us that balancing academic workloads with social life, work, and rest can be challenging. That’s why we’re committing to:
- Advancing work around the student journey, mapping the holistic experience from induction to graduation to ensure mental wellbeing and support are sustained throughout.
- Providing reasonable adjustments required to support students to achieve a study/life balance, reviewing areas such as course design and assessments to ensure students have a manageable workload.
- Reviewing the current pastoral support offering, considering the use of language and the purpose of the role within wider support pathways.
- Working towards making wellbeing support explicit in the teaching and learning environment.
Culture: Creating an open, and stigma‑free culture around mental health and wellbeing -Students have highlighted the need for a culture where talking about mental health feels natural and seeking support is encouraged. Together, we will focus on:
- Ensuring all students have fair and equitable opportunities to engage fully with the University community.
- Creating an inclusive environment that supports an equitable experience for all students, regardless of lived experiences or personal circumstances.
- Promoting and sustaining a stigma‑free culture, particularly around mental health and the use of support services.
Communication: Creating a Wellbeing‑Focused Communication Culture - Clear, consistent communication helps students feel connected and supported. You’ve told us this matters — and we’re acting on it:
- Ensuring students know what to expect through clear, appropriate, and transparent communication, including how, where, and when to access support.
- Delivering a comprehensive programme of wellbeing communication and engagement activities, shaped by evolving student needs.
- Encouraging a collective institutional responsibility to create, share, and engage with information that supports student wellbeing.
You can read the full Agreement HERE - Student Mental Health Agreement