University life is filled with studying, social events, and new experiences. Behind the scenes, dedicated staff work hard to ensure students feel supported—especially when it comes to mental health. One of these key figures at UHI is Lorna Ferguson, Regional Mental Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator, who is as passionate about student well-being as she is about pasta (but we'll get to that soon).
A Passion for Mental Health Support
Lorna describes her role in three words: challenging, interesting, and rewarding.
“No two days are the same,” she says. “And that keeps the passion going.”
Lorna’s role at UHI is multi-faceted, with a focus on policy writing, student support, and collaboration with external organisations. She’s responsible for shaping and updating policies around student well-being, mental health, suicide prevention, and risk intervention. Her work ensures that students receive the best possible support when they need it most.
“A lot of my days are spent in meetings,” she explains. “We discuss what students need and how we can shape policies that reflect those needs.”
Beyond policy, Lorna also chairs the Student Mental Health and Safeguarding Reflective Practitioners groups. Additionally, she is actively involved in gender-based violence work, helping to organise events such as the 16 Days of Activism campaign and Reclaim the Night marches.
“At the heart of all these initiatives is ensuring that students feel supported and protected,” Lorna says.
Much like the HISA Advice Service, Lorna’s team works hard to ensure that students aren’t just academically supported but also personally and emotionally cared for. “Both teams work as a safety net for students,” she explains. “Whether it’s advice on academic issues or mental health support, we want students to know they’re never alone.”
A Love Affair with Italy (and Pasta)
If Lorna could drop everything and jet off somewhere, Italy would be the destination—no contest.
“I lived in Brescia for three months when I was 15 as part of a school exchange, and I completely fell in love with it. The culture, the people, and, most importantly, the pasta!” she says.
Though her Italian skills have faded slightly over the years (much like her Gaelic), her love for the country remains. “It’s always had a piece of my heart.”
From the Third Sector to UHI
Lorna didn’t always work in higher education. She came from the third sector, where she worked in homeless services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and mental health support. She credits this experience with shaping her approach to student mental health at UHI.
“Dr Iain Morrison was a big driver in supporting my ethos,” she says. “We need to accept that students might use recreational drugs, and instead of a zero-tolerance approach, we focus on harm reduction and support.”
One of her initiatives has been introducing naloxone training for residence staff for opioid overdose response. “Many people hear ‘opioids’ and immediately think of heroin, but most of us have co-codamol in the medicine cabinet. It’s about awareness, not judgment.”
Growing Up with a Passion for Change
(Photo: Lorna's favourite place: Dornoch beach – can’t beat the outdoors for supporting mental health and wellbeing)
Lorna grew up in Invergordon, a small town north of Inverness. She attended school with the famous Stoltman brothers, the renowned strongmen, and was always aware of rural communities' lack of mental health resources.
“We saw all these services being offered in the central belt, but in the Highlands, there was very little,” she recalls. “That’s what drove me into mental health work.”
Her first job was with SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) in Glasgow, but she eventually moved back to the Highlands to help bring about change locally.
“I wanted to be part of making services more accessible here,” she says. “It’s been amazing to see the progress over the years.”
UHI’s Role in the Community
Lorna is quick to highlight how embedded UHI is within the local community. Many students may see the university as a place to study, but its impact goes far beyond education.
“We work closely with organisations like Mikeysline, the NHS, and the police,” she explains. “We’re involved in suicide prevention work and even discussions about making changes to the Kessock Bridge to prevent incidents.”
Just as HISA works to connect students to the right support services, Lorna’s team builds these external partnerships to ensure students receive the help they need. “It’s all about collaboration,” she adds. “No one service can do everything, but together, we make a difference.”
Addressing Misconceptions Around Mental Health
One of the biggest misconceptions Lorna encounters is students believing their struggles aren’t “bad enough” to seek help.
“So many students say, ‘I’m not that bad; someone else is feeling worse than me,’” she says. “But your mental health is just as important as anyone else’s. If you’re struggling, you deserve support. End of discussion.”
She also sees students minimising their mental health concerns in favour of focusing on academics. “I always tell them, if you’re not mentally well, nothing else will fall into place. Mental health has to be a priority, not an afterthought.”
A Rewarding Career
For Lorna, the most rewarding part of her job is seeing the difference she can make in students’ lives. “Even if we help just one student, that’s enough,” she says. “Seeing someone regain confidence, continue their studies, or access further support makes it all worth it.”
She also emphasises that mental health isn’t just about crisis intervention—it’s about celebrating the good days, too. “People often think mental health only matters when things are bad. But we should also be able to talk about our wins and our progress.”
Her final piece of advice? “Talk to someone. Whether it’s us, the HISA Advice Service, a friend, or a trusted person, start the conversation. You’re not alone in this.”
With passionate and dedicated staff like Lorna Ferguson, UHI ensures that students receive the support they need—both in and outside their studies, just as HISA’s Advice Service tirelessly advocates for students on all fronts.