Counselling Services

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Dear University of Aberdeen,

Please treat this as a Freedom of Information Request.

Could you please send me information as to -

1. How many students have used the student councilling services between each of the four academic years of 2012-13 and 2015-2016?

2. Please send a breakdown by gender for each year.

3. Please send a breakdown by year of study for each year.

4. Please send statistics as to how many students have sought help through the university for the following issues between each of the four academic years of 2012-13 and 2015-2016? -
4.1 -Self-harm
4.2 Eating Disorders
4.3 Depression and anxiety disorders
4.4 Substance Abuse (drug/alcohol)
4.5 Other Mental Health Issues

5. How many students are currently receiving student councilling services this academic term (September 2017 -present)

6. Please send a breakdown by gender for this academic semester. (September 2017 - present)

7. Please send a breakdown by year of study for this academic semester. (September 2017 - present)

8. Please send statistics as to how many students currently seek help through the university for the following issues this academic semester (September 2017 - present)
8.1 -Self-harm
8.2 Eating Disorders
8.3 Depression and anxiety disorders
8.4 Substance Abuse (drug/alcohol)
8.5 Other Mental Health issues

9. Lastly, please tell me what suicide prevention strategy the university currently has in place, if any.

Thank you for your time and help.

Yours faithfully,

Simone Kelly

Foi, University of Aberdeen

Dear Ms Kelly

I refer to your email of 20 November 2017 and, on behalf of the University, I acknowledge receipt and confirm that your request is being dealt with in terms of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. In terms of the Act, a reply will be sent to you within 20 working days.

Yours sincerely
Morag Smith

University of Aberdeen

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Foi, University of Aberdeen

1 Attachment

Dear Ms Kelly

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST FOI 2017-328

I refer to your email of 20 November 2017 requesting information relating to counselling services at the University of Aberdeen.

Your request has now been considered under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, ‘the Act’.

Questions 1 - 8 are answered in the attached document.

In answer to question 9, there is no documented prevention strategy; however, we do have support in place and protocols to support those students who are feeling suicidal. These support mechanisms include the Counselling Service, the Student Support Service and Mental Health Adviser. Colleagues are encouraged to refer such students to Student Support and Counselling.

Where we have been unable to supply information in response to your request, please accept this message as a notice under section 17(1) of the Act that the University does not hold any relevant information.

Should you be dissatisfied with this response, you have the right under the Act to request a review. A request for review must be made within 40 working days of the date of this reply. It must include your name and address for correspondence and specify the request for information and the grounds for dissatisfaction with the decision. Please send your request for review to our mailbox, [University of Aberdeen request email]. The University will respond to your request for a review within 20 working days of receipt of your request.

If you are unhappy with the outcome of the University’s internal review, you have the right to appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within six months of the date of receipt of the University’s review notice. Details on how to make an appeal to the Commissioner are available at www.itspublicknowledge.info/Appeal. Should you remain dissatisfied with the Commissioner’s decision, you have a right of appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law.

Yours sincerely
Morag Smith

FOI Administration Assistant
University of Aberdeen

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