What are your 5 Mental Hugs?

Last Tuesday an ‘Open you mind to mental health’ event was held on the Bedford Campus. We asked staff and students to think about how they looked after their mental health. Instead of 5 a day fruit and veg for your physical health we had 5 mental hugs for your mental health. Around 70 people gave us their ‘hugs’. Here are some of the responses to help you think about yours.

‘Say something positive every day’

‘Be nice to someone’

‘Sing’ 

‘Message a friend’

‘Movie night’

Eat chocolate’

‘Meditate’

‘Go for a walk in the park’

‘Tell someone I love them’

A student's experience of depression at university

 I would recommend reading this link. A great example of how sharing your fears about your own mental health can have a postive effect. We all need to be talking about mental health and supporting each other.

http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/blog/depression-anxiety-first-weeks-at-university

Depression

''If you know someone who's depressed please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn't a straightforward response to a bad situation, depression just is, like the weather.

Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hoplessness and loneliness they're going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It's hard to be a friend to someone who's depressed but it is the kindest, noblest and best things you will ever do''

 -Stephen Fry

21 tips to get a good nights rest

How to sleep like an Olympian!


http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/21-tips-for-getting-a-good-nights-1191011#.UBeN6l9pLXA.twitter

My Well Being

A great site from Leeds Met. Try it out at:

http://leedsmet.mywellbeing.org/

Loneliness

Loneliness is not just about being on your own. You can have friends but still feel alone and this can have an affect on your mental wellbeing. It all depends on our percetptions of our needs and how we meet those needs. How do you ensure that you can connect with others in a meaningful way?

See the BBC article looking at this issue at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18737560

How comfortable are talking to your GP about your mental health?

 A recent study in Brighton suggsets that almost half of young people are uncomfortable talking to GPs about their mental health. Quite concerning when figures suggest that young people are increasingly experiencing mental health difficulties and half of those with lifetime mental health problems first experience symptoms by the age of 14. Follow the link to see more.

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-news/news-archive/2012/181928/