University Mental Health Day is a national campaign that aims to raise awareness and “make a noise” about mental health in order to help break the stigma and reach out to those who need support.
University Mental Health Day takes place on Thursday 2 March and this year’s theme is Active Mental Health. The day is about student volunteers, University staff and Student Union officers working together to promote key messages relating to mental health.
The campaign gives opportunities to:
- talk about the relationship between physical and mental health
- build social networks through physical activity
- inspire others to take steps to become more physically active
Why do I need to be active for my mental health?
Research indicates that being active can create a powerful effect on our mental health. According to the NHS, being active can help with mild depression and help protect people from anxiety. Physical activity is also thought to cause chemical changes in the brain, which can help to positively change our mood.
What can I do on the day?
This year there will be table tennis set up at City Campus (Owen Level 2) and Collegiate Campus (Heart of the Campus). Staff will be on hand to give information about the benefits of physical activity and how you can introduce and sustain regular physical activity in your daily life.
For more information and to find out if your local area is running any activities, please visit the staff wellbeing site in the run up to the day.