Student and staff survey on support with mental health difficulties

ECU survey: How can universities support staff and students experiencing mental health difficulties?

ECU is currently surveying the views of staff and students on how universities can support people experiencing mental health difficulties. In particular, we want to gain an understanding of how universities can:

• develop an environment which encourages staff and students to let the university know they are experiencing mental health difficulties and receive targeted support
• proactively ensure that their courses, the work environment, their facilities and services are accessible to students experiencing mental health difficulties

Responses to the staff and student surveys will be invaluable in helping us develop materials to promote an inclusive environment supportive of mental health in universities

Staff survey: How can universities support staff experiencing mental health difficulties?

Student survey: How can universities support students experiencing mental health difficulties?

Student Radio Podcast about depression at Nottingham Trent University

http://flyfm.co.uk/2013/02/trent-talk-depression-and-mental-health/

Time to Change Student Survey

 Time to Change is England's biggest campaign to tackle mental health discrimination, run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. They are working with the University Mental Health Advisers Network to take part in a University mental health and well being awareness day. In order to promote the day, we would like to hear your views about mental health. Please note, the answers you give will be used in the media. However all answers will be kept anonymous.

To access the survey follow the link below.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MFW6XRJ

Discriminatory mental health laws scrapped.

Mental health organisations have welcomed new legislation that scraps outdated laws that discriminate against people with mental health problems. Read more at:


 http://www.mentalhealthtoday.co.uk/discriminatory_mental_health_laws_scrapped_31410.aspx?utm_source=http%3a%2f%2fnews.pavpub.com%2folmgroup_prolz%2f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MHTnews12213&utm_term=Mental+Health+Today+news+%285-12+February%29&utm_content=42775

The National Student Wellbeing Photography Competition

Any student studying at a UK institution is welcome to enter and may submit multiple photographs in response to the brief.

Follow the link at:

http://www.mentalwealthuk.com/news/student-photography-competition-for-unimentalhealthday 

Is there such a thing as blue Monday?

Last Monday was the third Monday in January and has been decreed Blue Monday, when we are all supposed to be at our lowest. Is there such a day? How can we really measure this. Is this something we want to advertise anyway as is is a rather negative concept.

Have a look at the following article to join the debate.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/brain-flapping/2013/jan/21/blue-monday-depressing-day-nonsense-science?CMP=twt_gu

It seems a long time since I last posted here. Univeristy life has been very busy. I am not sure if there are more stressed and depressed students out there or if they are finding it easier to access the service. There have been some changes this year as I have gone from a team of one to a team of two. I have a support worker, Barbara, who works threee days a week and helps students organise their studies while managing their mental health.Students now have to book an appointment at the student support desk to relieve some of the pressure of email contact.

I am looking forward to the break. A time to recharge the batteries. We all have to look after our own mental health and if I don't look after mine I cannot help others do the same. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.