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.

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/

Olympian opens up about depression

See attached link


http://mentalhealthtoday.co.uk/Content/Doc.aspx?id=1015

Mind Media Awards

I wanted to let you know about Mind’s Media Awards which are being held in November this year. 

There is a special category for 'Student Journalist of the Year'

It’s free for students to enter and a great way to celebrate the hard work that student journalists are doing around mental health. Entries are open now and you can find more information here 

http://www.mind.org.uk/media_awards/categories

Time to Change reveal biggest mental health clichés

 Have you ever been told to 'pull yourself together' when you are depressed or to remember that others are worse off than you. This survey looks at the unhelpful things people say to those experiencing mental health difficulites.


http://mentalhealthtoday.co.uk/Content/Doc.aspx?id=998

I haven't blogged in a while as the link to blogs disappeared off the uni site and I was not sure if anyone was following my posts. However, I undertsnad this is going to be changed so here I am. It has been a busy year and I have been overwhelmed at times with students needing support. I know that at times I have neglected my mental health and this is not sensible. It is so easy to allow stresses to take over and that can lead to more long term mental health difficulites. Still, I now have a plan to manage next year and intend to try and stick to it. I think we all need to reassess the stresses in our lives from time to time and above all look after ourselves.