This week we're putting the elephant back in the room to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health through open conversations.
Have you ever found yourself skirting around a subject because you're unsure about what to say? Don't worry if it's a yes, we're all guilty of it, in fact the classic saying 'the elephant in the room' captures this feeling brilliantly. If you're not familiar with the idiom it's simply when there's an obvious problem that no one wants to discuss.
Well this week we're putting the elephant back in the room to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health. We're encouraging you to have open conversations about how mental health impacts you and the people around you through a series of events across campus starting today.
There's a very good reason for all this as well. Depression is on the rise with the World Health Organisation stating that without urgent action depression will be the leading illness globally by 2030. Together with mixed anxiety this is the most common mental health condition in Britian while one in five teens have experience a mental health problem in any given year.
But while stats are a good starting point for conversations it's the actual conversations themselves that matter, no matter how they begin. So get involved, start discussions and help us to break down the stigma surrounding mental health. We're starting events off with Mind Cafe today and a very special edition of Toast this evening featuring Laughing Yoga.
Side note: Laughing Yoga is a form of yoga that encourages people to laugh voluntarily as they do various yoga poses - releasing endorphins and usually resulting in a hilarious yoga session.
Other events include Zine Making sessions, Art Therapy and a Body Image Panel, to name but a few! Look out for the Mental Health Awareness Week branding across our website and social media channels this week and together we can tackle mental health.
The Mental Health Foundation's 10 tips on how to look after your mental health
1. Talk about your feelings
2. Exercise
3. Eat well
4. Drink sensibly
5. Keep in touch with loved ones
6. Ask for help
7. Take a break
8. Do something you’re good at
9. Accept who you are
10. Care for others
For more information visit their website or if you ever need to speak to someone you can contact The Samaritans on 08457 909 090 or visit the Students' Union Advice Centre in our main building.
Laura Lewis
Co-President, Welfare and Diversity