Monday 10 October is World Mental Health Day, an international day dedicated to raising awareness of mental health issues. Just as we have physical health, we all have mental health, and raising awareness is key to challenging stigma, discrimination and promoting good mental health.
The theme for 2016 is psychological first aid. As with physical first aid, the principle of psychological first aid is that any of us may need to ‘step in’ to provide initial help to someone we know who is experiencing mental health difficulties.
To mark this year’s World Mental Health Day, Sheffield Hallam will have stalls on Level 2, Atrium, City Campus and Ground Floor, Heart of the Campus, Collegiate on Monday 10 October at from 10am – 3pm. Students and staff are invited to visit the stalls where they can pick up information about SHU and local mental health services and psychological first aid tips. You can also find out more about spotting the triggers and signs of mental ill health in yourself and others on the staff wellbeing site: https://portal.shu.ac.uk/departments/WellBeing/pages/wellbeing.aspx
As part of the University’s aim to promote positive mental health for all students, we are working alongside the Students’ Union to support the Healthy Hallam Challenge. This joint initiative aims to support students to develop healthy habits based around the framework of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing.
Sheffield Mental Health Week runs from 10 – 16 October and you can get involved in a range of talks, activities and social events exploring mental health across the city. For more information visit http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/world-mental-health-day/