The mental wellbeing of university students is of growing concern. HESA (2022) reported 122,530 students with a recorded mental health condition in the UK in 2016/17, whilst the Office for National Statistics reported 319 suicide deaths amongst HE students between 2017 and 2020. Evidence suggests people with mental health issues recover better with social support and most students appear to approve of a university emergency contact scheme (ECS); however many universities have not implemented an ECS. Recent guidance from PAPYRUS 2022, however, is urging universities to develop clear policies on the involvement of trusted contacts when serious concerns are raised about a student's health or safety. This study aims to investigate the relationship between student well-being and social support, and to explore student perspectives on the introduction of an ECS. Students from the Robert Gordon University School of Applied Social Studies (n=113) were recruited via opportunistic sampling and asked to complete a Jisc online survey including the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List shortened version (Cohen et al. 1985), Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (Tennant et al. 2007) and questions about an ECS. Findings indicated a significant positive correlation between mental wellbeing and social support. Most students (96%) supported an ECS, and of those opposed, there were concerns over a loss of agency, worries about identifying a potential contact, or the contact worsening the situation. In terms of the scheme's format, the preferred name was 'Named Trusted Person' (NTP) Scheme, the preferred NTP was parent/guardian or partner, and the preferred contact was Personal Tutor via text/call to mobile phone. Students felt contact should be made after a period of 14 days of disengagement and when there were serious concerns about their mental health, physical health, or personal safety. To conclude, universities should seriously consider the implementation of NTPS to support student wellbeing
