A COLLEGE has signed up to a new mental health and wellbeing charter to reaffirm its commitment to supporting staff and students.

Colchester Institute's principal and chief executive Alison Andreas said the unprecedented circumstances the nation has faced over the past year have elevated many people's mental health and wellbeing issues.

So the college has signed the charter, created by the Association of Colleges, which is promoting equality of opportunity and challenging mental health stigma, providing appropriate training for staff and targeted individual support where appropriate.

Figures shows every year one in ten young people experience a mental health problem and one in five young between aged 16 to 24 suffer conditions such as anxiety and depression.

As a large regional provider of further education for both school leavers and adult learners, Colchester Institute says it plays a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of its students and staff.

Ms Andreas, added: “It’s our aim as an organisation to provide as much support as possible for our staff and students as we can, and continue to raise awareness on the importance of mental health.

"The charter is just one way of us expressing our commitment to this and it provides a helpful framework for identifying and monitoring tangible actions”

Mental Health lead at the Association of Colleges, Richard Caulfield highlighted the vital role education and training providers play.

He said: “Every single day colleges like Colchester Institute provide a world class education and transform the lives of millions of people.

"This includes providing support for both staff and student wellbeing at the right time, in the right place.

"This charter gives colleges the chance to publicly state their commitment to the mental health agenda.”