Good Health and Wellbeing Strategy Areas

Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability

Example of our actions toward SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing

We have joined forces with the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) to promote greater collaboration in healthcare and research.  Collaborations include a psychology study involving the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital & evaluation of long Covid consultancy

Partner with CD & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Transforming health and care delivery

Health Outreach Programmes

We have a range of outreach engagements to benefit our communities, including disadvantaged groups and refugees to promote health & wellbeing. For example through our partnership with Karbon Homes to support Silver Talk, an invaluable resource for many of our local, elderly residents who may feel isolated and lonely and through our partnership with the West End Refugee Shelter, that provides support to asylum seekers and refugees by helping to reduce the isolation and hardships

Health Outreach Engagement

Research

The Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre's covers research on infant and child sleep ecology, sudden Infant Death Syndrome, parental sleep, post natal ward environments and maternal infant sleep, and cross-cultural infant care practices

Find out about our DISC's research

Education

Examples of modules on SDG 3 include BSc Health and Human Sciences in the Department of Biology and BA Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity, which looks at the connections between sport and issues such as discrimination and inequalities, the environment, sedentary lifestyles and obesity. the Postgraduate course MSc Medical Anthropology, in the department of Anthropology, provides a strong grounding in ethnographic approaches to the study of health, the political ecology of health and the appl

find out how we ensure better health & wellbeing through our sports depatment

Wider Student Experience

Our students have a wide network of support available on wellbeing, through their colleges, students' union or the central support teams. Our teaching and research facilities include the Human Performance Laboratory, the Green Lane Research Laboratory, and the Green Lane Nutrition Laboratory.  These facilities support our taught programmes as well as undergraduate, postgraduate and faculty research while providing opportunities for collaboration within the university & with external partners.

Student Support and Wellbeing

Living the Values

We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our staff and students. This is important as the success of the University depends on the ability of our people to contribute their best and achieve their potential. For this to happen we need to provide an environment for work and study where health and wellbeing is a priority. find out more about our wellbeing hub and our strategy on health and wellbeing

Our strategy on health and wellbeing

Global

Explore our range of work on Global Health, research includes global infectious disease to health inequalities and much more. Our Earth Sciences research is helping communities living near active volcanoes, and the agencies protecting them, to reduce exposure to volcanic emissions. The Heath Interventions in Volcanic Eruptions (HIVE) project focused on effective respiratory protection for community use.

Explore our range of research on Global Health

Local and Regional

Unbound from clinic, we frame health differently. Our vision for health is for people to thrive in the places they live. We embrace physical, mental, social and environmental health, envisioned as a synergy of self, beliefs, culture, family, community and planet. Browse through our dedicated webpages to find out more about Health at Durham.

Health at Durham

Governance and Policy

One of our Law professors plays a key role in the review of professional values, knowledge & behaviours expected of UK medics. Professor Emma Cave, an expert in healthcare law, chairs the General Medical Council’s advisory forum & was appointed as a core member to the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee Expert Panel in 2022 & the Assurance Group of The Cass Review in 2021. The forum will help steer a review of the GMC’s Good medical practice, setting out core guidance for UKdoctors

Free access to Durham University's shared sports facilities

Team Durham is based upon the three core strands of Participation, Performance and Community. Our Community Sports Development and Physical Activity Programme is wide-ranging, covering a broad range of age bands and a variety of abilities.

Find out more about our free offer on our shared sports facilities

Durham CELLS (Centre for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences)

Prof Shaun Pattinson founded Durham CELLS (Centre for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences). CELLS supports excellence in academic research, innovative teaching and public dialogue on the ethical, social and regulatory issues raised by the life sciences. This area is defined broadly to include issues relating to health, the environment and biotechnology. Shaun is currently a member of the Council of Governors of South Tees NHS Trust.

Durham CELLS (Centre for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences)

SDG3 impact cases examples

Examples of impact case studies about mental & physical health & wellbeing, include normalising voice hearing, reducing prisoner suicides, a computerised training app for the rehabilitation of brain injury-related visual field defect, Increasing support for autistic & neurodivergent pupils at school

Impact case studies of the psychology department Read about Centre for Neurodiversity & Development

Our Strategies and Policies towards SDG 3

Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020/21 to 2026/27

TA male student with a hot drink talking to another person facing away from the camera, in front of a purple house door

Counselling and Mental Health Service

Student seeking support from reception desk

No Smoking Policy

Sexual Health Care

Upset woman sitting on couch alone at home

More examples of our work towards SDG 3

Mental health support for students

Durham University is proud to offer a Counselling and Mental Health Service which comprises three teams of trained and experienced practitioners to help students manage any difficulties that are impacting successful engagement with studies and University life. The team is available, free of charge, all year round to students and staff across the University.

The Counselling & Mental Health Service work with a range of partners to help support both staff and students alike, whenever help is needed. Some of these service partners include:

Nilaari | Nilaari is a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) led community-based charity.

Samaritans | Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help. No judgement. No pressure. We’re here for anyone who needs someone.

Qwell | Free, safe and anonymous mental wellbeing support for adults across the UK.

RSACC | Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC) offers free confidential counselling and support to survivors who have experienced any form of sexual violence.
If u care share | We have three main aims of prevention, intervention and supporting those affected or bereaved by suicide.
NHS Mental Health Service | Information of where to get urgent help for mental health for people of all ages.
NHS Talking Therapies | Improving access to psychological therapies in County Durham and Darlington.
Humankind | Free, confidential support for alcohol, drugs, housing or mental health in friendly local places.

Counselling and Mental Health Service - proactive Workshops

Mental health support for staff

Durham University’s Wellbeing Hub supports our staff to help themselves and colleagues when support is needed. The Wellbeing Hub has various signposts to free-of-charge support services, staff activities and training opportunities, sharing of best practices for positive mental health, staff volunteering opportunities, and events designed to actively promote positive mental health for all at Durham.

Wellbeing - Durham University

Counselling and Mental Health Service - Durham University

Counselling and Mental Health Service - wellbeing hub

We are a smoke free campus

Durham University continues to operate as a smoke-free campus with our No Smoking Policy underpinning our commitment to ensure good health and wellbeing across the campus population.