A CHARITY helping students look after their mental health and support friends has beaten more than 400 organisations to win a national award.

Student Minds was set up in 2009 by a then-student at Oxford University who was struggling with mental health difficulties.

Last week it was named a winner at the 2017 GSK Impact Awards –which recognise excellence in health and wellbeing charities – and received £30,000 in funding.

Chief executive Rosie Tressler said: "We're thrilled to receive this award, which recognises the importance of our work and the fantastic contribution made by volunteers.

"The award will help us develop as an organisation and continue delivering support for students in the future."

Lecturer in psychology at Somerville College Dr Nicola Byrom suffered from anorexia as a teenager and set up the charity to improve peer support.

Today Student Minds is still based in Turl Street, Oxford, has 10 staff members and last year worked with 97 universities across the UK.

It aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to promote positive mental health on campus, including through offering peer support and organising campaigns.

Ms Tressler added: "While around a third of students may experience mental health difficulties at university, all members of the university community can benefit from building health literacy and coping skills to manage the ups and downs of life.

"Student Minds was founded to encourage students to talk about mental health and promote the idea that recovery is possible."

The charity's other projects include its 'Looking after a Mate' campaign, which offers students help supporting their friends, and its '#BestNightIn' social media campaign, which celebrates the benefits of a quiet night in instead of going out and drinking alcohol to excess.

It was one of 10 winners at the Impact Awards and will receive its prize at a ceremony held at the Science Museum in London on Thursday May 18, 2017.

GSK's director of UK and Ireland charitable partnerships Katie Pinnock, said: "Student Minds is a small charity having a big impact on good mental health in universities.

"Through its dynamic campaigns and support for volunteers, Student Minds has been really successful in raising awareness of mental health issues and equipping students with the tools they need to look after their own mental health.

"It is an outstanding charity that’s achieved a lot in a relatively short amount of time."

For more information on Student Minds or to enquire about volunteering visit studentminds.org.uk