University Mental Health and Wellbeing Day 2012

University Mental Health and Wellbeing Day 2012 logoWith the nationwide University Mental Health and Well-being Day taking place on Wednesday 22 February 2012, the University, in association with the Students' Union, UMHAN, Time to Change, and MindApples, will be running a series of events aimed at reducing stigma and promoting mental health and well-being.


What's on

Read on for more information about the events you can drop into throughout the day …

Marketplace Stalls: 10am-4pm, Students’ Union

Want to make your own pledge to end mental health discrimination? Look out for the Time to Change pledge cards, which will be in various locations on campus. Can’t find one? Visit one of the many stalls in the Students’ Union atrium between 10am and 4pm. The Coventry and Warwickshire Mind bus will also be on campus at the Piazza and will welcome aboard anyone who is interested in the wide range of services Mind provides.

Pledge Signing: 1pm, National Grid Room, Warwick Arts Centre

Time to Change’s latest campaign 'It's time to talk, it's Time to Change' aims to encourage everyone to be more open about mental health issues. Time to Change’s Director, Sue Baker, will be coming to Warwick on the day for a pledge signing event at 1pm which demonstrates the University’s commitment to reducing mental health stigma.

Meditation session: 3pm, Meeting Room 6, SUHQ

Want to reduce your anxiety levels and manage stress more effectively? Mindfulness meditation practice has been demonstrated to reduce anxiety after only eight weeks of practice. How about improving your concentration levels which in turn will help with your study? Meditation can help with that too. Want to know more? Come to Meeting Room 6, in the Students’ Union HQ at 3pm on 22 February where Warwick Yoga will be running a meditation session.

5-a-day for Mental Health

We’ve all heard that eating five fruit and vegetables a day is good for your physical health but did you know that there’s a 5-a-day for mental health? Following extensive research, the Foresight Mental Capital and Wellbeing Project identified five activities which promote mental well-being:

  1. Connect… With the people around you. With family, friends and fellow students.
  2. Be active… Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good.
  3. Take notice… Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends.
  4. Keep learning… Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Learn to play a musical instrument.
  5. Give… Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in.

We’re interested in your own ideas for 5-a-day for mental health – look out for the MindApples cards available on the day.

Sources of support

There are a range of support services available on campus if you have significant concerns for yourself or a fellow student or colleague: