A college has expressed its commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of its students by signing up to a new national scheme.

Truro and Penwith College have signed a charter developed by the Association of Colleges in conjunction with mental health experts, that stipulates 11 points of commitment that a college should have to its students' wellbeing.

David Walrond, principal at Truro and Penwith College, said: “The college is wholly behind the aims of the charter and very pleased to be a signatory to it."

“We know that what changes things for the better in terms of mental health and wellbeing is not the act of signing up, but daily commitment to the values and practices which the charter outlines.”

Some of the points highlighted include promoting equality of opportunity and challenging mental health stigma; providing appropriate mental health training for staff and providing targeted individual mental health support where appropriate.

Richard Caulfield, mental health lead at the Association of Colleges, said: “Every single day colleges like Truro and Penwith College provide a world class education and transform the lives of millions of people.”

It is hoped that the signing of the charter will have a positive influence on the support systems in place for the wellbeing of the 5,500 students and 1,300 staff that attend the college.

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to read more about the points covered by the charter.