Belonging inclusion and mental health are all connected. When I ask students what makes university more challenging than needs be loneliness and isolation is a common reply. That sense of “not fitting in”. Of being “unwelcomed”. Feeling like a “spare part” and “not finding my people”.
The stories students share resonate with me. I’m from a working class family and was the first-in-my-family to attend university. My first step onto a university campus and into an open day lecture are forever imprinted into my memory. I didn’t know that I’d ever understand the rules of the university game? Would I ever belong? Was it possible for someone like me to succeed?
Nowadays we know that lack of belonging and lack of inclusion doesn’t ‘just’ impact the individual momentarily. It reduces their likely success at university. Lack of sense of belonging is linked to poorer mental health and wellbeing, greater likelihood of dropping out, and lower final grades.
