A start-up based at the University of Manchester is set to broaden its reach in supporting student mental health. The firm has innovative plans to bring its well-received system to more educational institutions.
Founded by Dr Andrew Markwick in 2017, the start-up uses advanced data analytics to identify students at risk. These insights allow timely intervention, potentially saving lives and improving wellbeing.
Pioneering Mental Health Support
The start-up has made significant strides with its first product, a software system focused on student wellbeing. By analysing student engagement data such as attendance and non-exam marking, the system highlights students who may be struggling. This enables support staff to intervene early, offering necessary assistance before issues escalate.
According to The Office for National Statistics, up to 100 students in the UK take their own lives each year. During the 2016/2017 academic year alone, 95 students were lost to suicide. These statistics underscore the urgent need for effective mental health monitoring systems in educational environments.
Dr Markwick’s Vision
Driven by a commitment to student welfare, Dr Markwick designed the software to make the most of available data. “We wanted to be sure we were doing the best we could to protect our students,” he stated. The software, now in use at the School of Physics & Astronomy and the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, has already shown promising results.
Recent incidents of suicide and attempted suicide among students prompted the development of this system. Dr Markwick’s goal was to create a tool that could identify at-risk individuals before their situations became critical.
Strategic Expansion
With additional funding, the start-up aims to expand the rollout of its software across more schools within the university. There are also plans to introduce the system to other universities. This expansion is a strategic move to enhance student safety on a larger scale.
Dr Markwick has been actively seeking strategic partners to help protect more students nationwide. His efforts have been bolstered by recent participation in various innovation programmes and competitions.
Initial Success and Future Goals
The company’s participation in UMIP’s Innovation Optimiser Programme marked an important milestone. This programme supports innovators from the university in creating start-up ventures. The start-up also secured a place in the final of the Pitch@Palace 10.0 competition, which is designed to accelerate entrepreneurial projects.
Dr Markwick highlighted a recent NUS report which found that eight out of 10 students struggle with mental health issues. This statistic further emphasises the importance of expanding the software’s reach to help more students.
Streamlining Academic Workflows
The software not only supports student mental health but also improves staff workflow by consolidating various monitoring systems. Attendance, reporting, and non-exam marking data can all be entered in one place, simplifying processes for academic staff.
This streamlined system is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it easier for staff to manage their responsibilities. The commercial potential of this software extends beyond universities to any organisation that monitors attendance and performance as part of its duty of care.
Commitment to Data Security
The software operates as a secure web application, providing peace of mind regarding data privacy. Ensuring the confidentiality of student data is a top priority for the start-up.
The system’s design incorporates robust security measures to protect sensitive information. This commitment to data security enhances the trustworthiness of the software among stakeholders.
Impact on the Student Community
The ultimate goal of the start-up is to safeguard student lives and enhance overall wellbeing. By using data proactively, the software can make a significant difference in educational settings.
As the start-up continues to expand, its innovative approach to mental health support is poised to benefit an increasing number of students across the nation.
The expansion plans unveiled by the student mental health start-up represent a crucial step towards improving mental health support in educational institutions.
Through the use of advanced data analytics, the start-up aims to identify at-risk students early and provide timely interventions, potentially saving lives.
