21 st march 1971 imperial college nightline established in south west london the reason for...
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21st March 1971 Imperial College Nightline established in South West London
The reason for establishment of Nightline – three student suicides in 1970
1970 – first Nightline Service established at Essex University
West London Nightline gradually expanded to a London-wide Service
1985 Steering Committee established1990 Nightline moved to ULU becoming London Nightline
at ULUCurrently London Nightline consists of 34
Colleges/Universities and 23 Students UnionsFunding – 30p per full-time capita contribution from
Colleges/Universities; 10p per capita from Students Unions
StructureCoordinator runs NightlineAnswerable to Board of Trustees and
Steering CommitteeHelped by Executive Committee of
VolunteersPatrons
Significant Developments1993 – Nightline achieved charitable status1993 – Post of Coordinator made Full-time
and salary linked to a Student Union sabbatical
1999 – Obtained Quality Standard of Telephone Helplines Association
2000 – Introduction of Email Listening2009 – Online Listening Service established
Figure 1:Number of Calls per Day: September – May for the last three years (allowing for the different number of days for which the lines are open each month)
Figure 2:Total Call Time per Day (in minutes): September - May for the last three years (allowing for the different number of days for which the lines are open each month)
Figure 3:Call topics - September 2009 – May 2010
Figure 4:
Number of Emails: September – May for the last three years
Figure 5:Email Topics: September 2009 – May 2010
Figure 7:Total Number of Online Listening Calls: September 2009 – May 2010
Figure 8:Total Online Listening Call Time per Day (in minutes): September 2009 – May 2010 (allowing for the different number of days for which the lines are open each month)
Figure 9:Online Listening Topics: September 2009 – May 2010
Figure 10:Percentage of Caller Institutions Known: September 2009 – May 2010
Figure 11:Known Caller Institutions (5% of all callers): September 2009 – May 2010
Organisation and Training
Recruitment of Volunteers – 80-100 per year
Pre-selection training sessionsAppraisal65-75 volunteers selectedSelected volunteer training throughout
the yearVolunteers do 12 duties per year
Support and Debriefing for Volunteers
Calls confidential between caller and Nightline not volunteer
Support and de-briefing offered after disturbing calls
All volunteers have a support buddyCoordinator on call 24 hours a day during
term time
Why is the Service Needed2003 – Report of Royal College of
Psychiatrists on ‘The Mental Health of Students in Higher Education’
Increasing numbers due to a significant growth in student numbers and increasing access to HE
Growing rates of mental health problems among young people generally
Contributing factors to increase
Major life changes – leaving home and culture
Psychological developmental issues may be related to a fear of growing up
A need to cope with the academic and social commitments to university life
A loss of external structure may expose a weak internal structure
ResultsAnxiety may lead to a breakdown, dropping
out, excessive drinking, drug taking, hectic social/sexual life
Or over-diligent studyingUncertainty about the purpose of university,
who they are, what they wantRebellion against parental/authority figuresUnconscious purposes of academic failure
Additional Problems encountered by students
The effects of widening participationStudents with physical/psychological
disabilitiesSocio-economic factorsMature students Financial problemsLearning is an emotional as well as a
cognitive experience
Comments “Fantastic service. Slightly frustrating not being able to ask for an opinion on
things. However I can appreciate why you can’t. I thought the online chat service is the best, the anonymity of online chat made me feel much more free to talk about issues”.
“I am really glad that there are students out there volunteering their services on
this line. With help from Nightline, students like me who have little peer support on certain issues can find a listening ear, and that makes problems easier to deal with.”
“Incredibly helpful, the most polite help you’ll probably get at ridiculous o’clock
in the morning”. “The person on the phone was very friendly and listened well as I do tend to go
on about things a lot. Overall I was very satisfied with the service provided.” “Very good listeners. Non-jugdmental. They are doing great work. Highly
recommend to anyone in need.”