Human connection at the heart of student wellbeing
Mental Health Foundation marked University Mental Health Day with peer support success
Credit:Daniel de la Hoz
19 March 2026
New video shows how UOK? has supported student wellbeing: UOK? | Mental Health FoundationAs universities across the UK mark University Mental Health Day on Thursday 12 March, the Mental Health Foundation is highlighting the vital role of human connection in improving student wellbeing, particularly through peer support. Students continue to report social isolation, the pressures of transitioning to adulthood, mental health stigma, bullying, and academic stress as major challenges affecting their wellbeing. Despite rising need, young adults show lower rates of help-seeking, with many citing a lack of confidence and fear of judgment as barriers to reaching out for support. To address this, the Mental Health Foundation’s UOK? programme, a peer-led initiative funded by Pinterest, is empowering 16-25 year olds in universities and colleges to better understand and support their own mental health, while equipping them to help fellow students who may be struggling.
“We've used the UOK? model as a basis and then we've been allowed to digress and use it to benefit the needs of our students. What we do here is proper co-creation work. We talk about wellbeing walks, healthy meals and we're looking at having mental health ambassadors within sports clubs and societies.” MMU also offers an incentivised paid peer support programme, further championing student led wellbeing. Lily, a Peer Guide and PhD student at MMU, described the power of relatable support:
“You can actually talk to someone who is just like you and might have been through a similar experience… you don’t even need to know a person’s name to give them reassurance that they are where they’re supposed to be. “Having someone backing you up in your corner is really helpful. I love watching other people develop because it makes me feel like we’re doing it together.” Lily and her fellow Peer Guides and the Student Welfare team at MMU shared how UOK? works for them in this video to mark University Mental Health Day: mentalhealth.org.uk/UOK
“Human connection is central to peer support. Building friendships and community helps us weather challenges and celebrate successes. At a time when many young people feel more isolated despite being constantly online, face-to-face interaction reminds us that people care - and that we, and our mental health, matter.”
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Human connection that transforms student communities
Peer support is central to UOK?’s impact, creating a ripple effect of confidence, connection and shared learning across student communities. Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), which has embedded UOK? into its wellbeing approach, is a leading example of this model in action. Ian Harvey, from MMU’s Student Welfare team, said:“We've used the UOK? model as a basis and then we've been allowed to digress and use it to benefit the needs of our students. What we do here is proper co-creation work. We talk about wellbeing walks, healthy meals and we're looking at having mental health ambassadors within sports clubs and societies.” MMU also offers an incentivised paid peer support programme, further championing student led wellbeing. Lily, a Peer Guide and PhD student at MMU, described the power of relatable support:
“You can actually talk to someone who is just like you and might have been through a similar experience… you don’t even need to know a person’s name to give them reassurance that they are where they’re supposed to be. “Having someone backing you up in your corner is really helpful. I love watching other people develop because it makes me feel like we’re doing it together.” Lily and her fellow Peer Guides and the Student Welfare team at MMU shared how UOK? works for them in this video to mark University Mental Health Day: mentalhealth.org.uk/UOK
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The need for early support has never been greater
With 75% of mental health problems beginning before age 24, the transition into higher education can be a particularly vulnerable time for young people. Campus mental health services across the UK are increasingly reported as oversubscribed, underscoring the need for preventative approaches and early intervention. This year, UOK? has worked with 23 universities and colleges, supporting more than 3,600 students through peer led training, mental health literacy, stigma reduction, social connection, and the creation of safer spaces for students to seek help. Students consistently highlight their need for accessible, consistent, whole-person mental health support, along with opportunities for connection and someone they can turn to when challenges arise.Human connection in the age of AI
In a rapidly changing world shaped by AI and social media, the Foundation warns that fostering real world connection is more important than ever. Tim Street, Project Manager for UOK? at the Mental Health Foundation, said:“Human connection is central to peer support. Building friendships and community helps us weather challenges and celebrate successes. At a time when many young people feel more isolated despite being constantly online, face-to-face interaction reminds us that people care - and that we, and our mental health, matter.”
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