Middlesbrough College have been working with TACaccess since March 2024. TACaccess is a service that connects students with mental health therapists, it addresses the long waiting times for external mental health support and the limited capacity of the college’s counselling services. TACaccess offers cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), and other types of counselling through registered counsellors whose professional member body is affiliated with either the Health Care Professional Council or the Professional Standards Authority.

or example, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. Counselling can be accessed either online or face-to-face.

The service has been instrumental in supporting students with severe mental health issues. For instance, the college has referred high-risk students to TACaccess, the service has also been crucial in managing suicidal ideation among students with an increase of individuals currently receiving support compared to the previous academic year.

Middlesbrough College were approached by The Teesside Charity who are a local organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people in Teesside, they asked us what is the biggest barrier to achievement of students – and we replied MENTAL HEALTH!!

Our Performing  Arts students worked with the charity to produce an impactful video about student mental health for The Teesside Charity annual ball and £13,500 was donated to the college to support student mental health.

The charity’s support has enabled the college to provide more comprehensive mental health services to its students. The funds have been used to cover the costs of TACaccess sessions, ensuring that more students can receive the help they need without financial barriers or long wait times. The charity’s involvement has also raised awareness about the importance of mental health support and encouraged other organisations to contribute to similar initiatives.

The collaboration between TACaccess and The Teesside Charity has had a profound impact on student mental health at Middlesbrough College. Students who have accessed TACaccess services have reported significant improvements in their mental well-being. For example, one student who struggled with attendance due to mental health issues saw their attendance increase from under 85% to 96% after receiving support from TACaccess. The service has helped students manage their mental health more effectively, leading to better academic performance and overall well-being.

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