ÔÇó StudentsÔÇÖ Union officer critical of accessibility of Cardigan House, where counselling services are available to students
ÔÇó Students report difficulties making appointments outside of timetable hours
ÔÇó Revelations come after NUS revels that 78% of students have suffered from mental health issues
Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Heath park counselling facilities have come under fire, with students expressing concerns over the accessibility of the available services.
Talking to Gair Rhydd, students and elected officers have highlighted issues caused due to poor accessibility and issues obtaining appointments for the Heath Campus Student Support service.
The news comes after a nation wide survey found that the majority of students studying medicine ÔÇ£do not feel supported by their medical schoolÔÇØ when suffering with issues such as mental health.
Criticisms voiced in Cardiff University include complaints that the lift to services such as counselling is unsuitable for all wheelchair users. According to Diana Isajeva, the StudentsÔÇÖ Union elected Students with DisabilitiesÔÇÖ Officer, ÔÇ£the lift isnÔÇÖt big enough for some electric wheelchairsÔÇØ and ÔÇ£breaks all the time, and students have to call up to check that the lift is actually working,ÔÇØ.
The officer continued: ÔÇ£when it does break it often can go a week without being fixed either,ÔÇØ a statement backed by students who referred to it as a ÔÇ£like a service elevator.ÔÇØ
Isajeva concluded by stating that Student Support services at the Heath are not ÔÇ£open to addressing the current issuesÔÇØ and that ÔÇ£itÔÇÖs something that just needs sorting outÔÇØ.
This is not the first time that these facilities at the Heath have raised concern. A spokesperson at Cardiff StudentsÔÇÖ Union told Gair Rhydd that ÔÇ£in the past, we have raised issues with the University about the facilities in the Student Support building at the Heath Park CampusÔÇØ.
The statement from the StudentsÔÇÖ Union stressed that the news is ÔÇ£concerningÔÇØ and ÔÇ£something we will be working with the University to resolve.ÔÇØ
In response to the developments a University spokesperson stated that ÔÇ£we are not aware of the lift breaking down with any frequency although we are aware there have been a couple of occasions since we moved in 2004.ÔÇØ
It was also stated that larger power assisted chairs have previously been able to use the lift, although ÔÇ£a scooter style power assisted chairÔÇØ may struggle.
The spokesperson maintained that previous ÔÇ£issues have been solved quicklyÔÇØ and urged students to report any problems immediately.
This criticism comes amongst other complaints against the building in which the services are held, including allegations that the ÔÇ£depressingÔÇØ,ÔÇØgreyÔÇØ and ÔÇ£dingyÔÇØ hallways and entrance have led to some students suffering from panic attacks upon arrival.
Cardigan House, where Student Support is located, is an NHS building which has been leased by the University since 2004. In 2014 it was decided to ÔÇ£co-locate the student occupational health provision at the Student CentreÔÇØ to allow students to access services at one location.
Although the staff at the Heath student support have been praised for their work and the increase in students coming forward for help, Isajeva stated that students have encountered difficulties acquiring appointments.
This is due in part to the intensive nature of healthcare degrees, with many courses running from 9-5 on a daily basis at the same time as the centreÔÇÖs opening hours.
In response to this, a University spokesperson noted that ÔÇ£twilight servicesÔÇØ have now been introduced which have been ÔÇ£popularÔÇØ with students.
Meanwhile, one student told Gair Rhydd that despite being taught on the Park Place, she was sent to the facilities at Heath Park.
Angharad Wendon, a second year English Literature student explained: ÔÇ£the staff and atmosphere they provided was really good, however the expectation of my availability to get up to Heath campus by 9am on lecture days was frustrating.ÔÇØ
This is especially problematic given that if two counselling sessions from a four week course are missed then the student will lose use of the services. This concern has also been voiced by those completing placements at different hospitals and health facilities.
According to the University website, drop-in services are available between 3pm and 3:45 on a Wednesday afternoon in Cardigan House on Heath campus. In comparison, drop-in sessions are open from Monday to Friday on Park Place campus. A range of workshops are also available for students dealing with a range of issues, all of which take place in the StudentsÔÇÖ Union.
In the past, effort has been made by StudentsÔÇÖ Union officers to overcome issues faced by those on placement. As part of a scheme started by StudentsÔÇÖ Union President Claire Blakeway last year, support packages are available to students which often include how to access welfare requirements whilst on placement. This service has been continued and expanded this year by Heath Park VP Katey Beggan.
In general, the support services offered by the University has been praised in the past and have increased their services to meet an increase in demand. This includes group therapy sessions and online help through the online Silvercloud support programme on the intranet and e-mail advice and counselling.
The need to provide support for students at university was stressed by the NUS last week, after it was revealed that 78 per cent of students suffer from mental health issues whilst 54 per cent do not seek help.
According to The Independent, the reason for such a low percentage of students using university facilities stems from low expectations and a lack of awareness.
This issue is particularly prominent within health care students, as a study by Medscape revealed that three in ten students have struggled with a mental health issue while at medical school, but ÔÇ£80 per cent of these did not feel adequately supported.ÔÇØ
Students with known disabilities has also risen in current years, with the issue of mental health becoming a more acceptable subject to talk about. It is estimated that about 40 per cent of students suffer from a known disability currently in the United Kingdom.
The University encourage feedback regarding their Student Support facilities and the accessibility of services. A spokesperson stated that this is particularly welcome advice from students ÔÇ£with high contact time during traditional office hours (9-5)ÔÇØ.
Working with the StudentsÔÇÖ Union, problems will be addressed through the ÔÇÿEstates Master planÔÇÖ to ÔÇ£inform future development at the Heath Park site.ÔÇØ
