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.”