To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department coordinates any specific mental health support for further education students.

The Mental Health Strategy (MHS) 2021-2031 places a strong emphasis on promoting mental health and early intervention, including for students in both higher and further education. For example, MHS Actions 1 and 2, which relate to early intervention and prevention, focus on developing a settings-based approach across education, while MHS Action 8 commits to establishing dedicated support for student mental health across tertiary education through existing services.

To support the delivery of MHS Actions 1 and 2, a multiagency group led by the Public Health Agency has been established, with representation from the Department for the Economy, further and higher education, training providers and Health and Social Care Trusts. This work has included a workshop in October 2025 to share good practice and identify opportunities to strengthen a holistic approach to student and trainee mental health and wellbeing. In addition, a small grants programme has supported initiatives across education and training settings, with 17 projects funded between April 2023 and March 2026 as shown in the table below:

There have been a wide variety of initiatives delivered through these initiatives, including; development of resources, delivery of wellness programmes, one to one mentoring and support services; awareness raising workshops and therapeutic activities and staff training.

In relation to MHS Action 8, a Student Mental Health Service (SMHS) pilot established in 2019 in the Belfast Trust area between Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT), Queen’s University (QUB) and Ulster University (UU), has provided an early intervention service for students. The findings from this pilot service are informing decisions on the development of a future regional model for student mental health services in the higher education sector.

Ulster University has recently confirmed that it will not continue participation in the pilot beyond the current 2025/26 academic year due to its current funding constraints. While new referrals for UU students into the SMHS pilot ceased from 31 May 2026, BHSCT has confirmed that arrangements remain in place to support students requiring specialist (Step 3) mental health care. Referral pathways continue to operate as normal and are clinically assessed and managed as part of existing processes.

Work is now progressing between BHSCT and QUB to explore a revised model for the continued delivery of the pilot service, subject to the necessary approvals. The Department remains committed to working collaboratively with partners to strengthen support for student mental health.