Our Mind Matters

Last week I attended the first conference organised by a Luton charity, Our Mind Matters. I spoke on  the challenges of supporting students of diverse cultures and faiths as part of my role as the Mental Health Advisor here at the University of Bedfordshire.

The charity focuses on promoting mental health and reducing stigma in the diverse communities of Luton. Their vision is:

“Faith and culture play a critical role in understanding mental health and in the recovery from mental illness”

Take a look at what they are doing in our local community.

http://www.ourmindsmatter.org.uk/

New videos raise awareness of impact of eating disorders on those affected and their carers

 Follow the link to read the article and see the videos.

https://www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/news/2015-06-11/new-videos-raise-awareness-impact-eating-disorders-those-affected-their-carers

Coping with mental health difficulties at University

A really helpful article for students coming to university who have mental health diffculties. It gives guidance on how and where to access support. Don't forget when you arrive at university to seek me out to see what support you can access here. All my informaiton is on the website under Student Support.

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/feb/25/how-to-cope-with-mental-health-difficulties-at-university

Student Minds Petition

Today, 49% of young people (17 to 30) enter higher education. According to the National Union of Students, 20% of these individuals are experiencing a mental health problem. That’s a lot of students.

Students need support between home and university to be joined up. Without careful planning, students who have only recently been discharged from a service move to university and do not have access to support for the crucial first months at university. Early and continuous support is the best way to ensure that a student’s condition does not deteriorate, which might otherwise require them to drop out of university.

Sign the petition to ensure all UK students have access to consistent care pathways catering to their needs.

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/doh-address-the-gap-in-student-mental-health-support?utm_source=Student+Minds&utm_campaign=62aa529a9a-Win+for+Student+Mental+Health!&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_30936ac40b-62aa529a9a-63879009

An inspiring video on managing voice hearing

This is a very moving video of a student's experience with schizophrenia and recovery.

"To all appearances, Eleanor Longden was just like every other student, heading to college full of promise and without a care in the world. That was until the voices in her head started talking. Initially innocuous, these internal narrators became increasingly antagonistic and dictatorial, turning her life into a living nightmare. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, hospitalized, drugged, Longden was discarded by a system that didn't know how to help her. Longden tells the moving tale of her years-long journey back to mental health, and makes the case that it was through learning to listen to her voices that she was able to survive".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syjEN3peCJw

What is depression?

Let the black dog be your guide.

http://www.upworthy.com/what-is-depression-let-this-animation-with-a-dog-shed-light-on-it?g=4&c=ufb1

Psychosis is nothing like a badger.

The link below takes you to a great video from a guy who has experienced psychosis. It really helps to explain the condition in a fun way. If we are ever to end the stigma around mental illness and allow people to be open and honest about their mental health then we need to keep talking about it. A student once told me that she did not understand mental illness and it scared her because no one talked about it. We need to talk about our mental health and illness until it becomes a common topic and is no longer a mystery which we fear.

http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/blog/psychosis-nothing-badger