University Mental Health Day 2025: Join the Conversation!

This year's theme is ‘time to take a break’, which is aimed at encouraging students to take a break in order to support their wellbeing and mental health.

Supporting Student Wellbeing

Positive mental health and wellbeing are essential to thriving at university, and Westminster prioritises student wellbeing in all aspects of university life. To support this, a range of wellbeing activities and events will take place on Thursday 13 March from 11 am to 2 pm at Marylebone Foyer and Harrow Forum, offering opportunities to engage with support services and collect some freebies.

What’s happening on the day?

• Wellbeing Activities – Interactive sessions designed to promote mental health and wellbeing
• Support Services – A chance to connect with University and external wellbeing services to explore available support. This includes stalls from Counselling, DLS, Wellbeing, CNWL Brent and Green Dot. 
• Freebies for Students – A variety of giveaways will be available throughout the event
• Meet the Inflatable Pink Elephant – Designed to encourage conversations about mental health. Attendees will also have the opportunity to suggest a name for a sweet treat in return
• Peaceful colouring – Collaborate with other students and university colleagues to help finish a large colouring page

'Big Boys' special screening with CALM & Student Minds - 6:30-10pm, Regent Street Cinema

Find out more and book your place.

Training Opportunities

As part of the initiative, valuable training sessions will be available to equip students with essential skills. Please note that both sessions contain sensitive content.

• Green Dot Training

Green Dot is an active bystander training programme focusing on sexual abuse, domestic abuse and harassment. It equips students and colleagues with the knowledge, skills and confidence to identify, intervene and report power-based personal violence.

This session will take place online on Monday the 10 March 2025 between 1:30-3pm.

Register here.

• Look After Your Mate

Look After Your Mate is a workshop for students who are looking to support their friends or peers at university who may be struggling with their mental health. Research suggests that only 3.5% of students disclose mental health difficulties to their university, but 75% of students who are struggling disclose to their mates. Friends can play a key role in supporting each other’s mental health.

This session will take place online on Wednesday 12 March 2025 between 1:30-3:30pm.

Register here. 

These sessions are also beneficial for CV building and contribute to the Westminster Employability Award.

• Mindfulness Taster Session

This taster session involves a meditative practice. It is spiritual, though not aligned with any faith tradition. This is fully explained. Then, through a guided introduction, we spend a short time in silence. We gently return to the group, share observations and ask any questions that arise.  

The session is run by Yusuf Kaplan, Interfaith Adviser, who has practised meditation since childhood. He has provided spiritual advice, supervision, coaching and training in a professional capacity for many years to a wide range of clients as individuals and groups.  

This session will take place on Thursday 13 March between 1:15-1:45 pm.

Location: Complementation Room B205A, Sub-Podium Level 2, Marylebone Campus or online.  

Please try to arrive at 1.10 pm. Due to the nature of the session, there will be no admittance after 1.20 pm.

The format is hybrid, with the option to join in person on campus or online via Teams. Please note that video is required to join online. One-to-one sessions can also be offered for those who aren't available at this time.  

To register please email [email protected].

Sports activities

Between 11am- 2pm on 13 March, students at Harrow can take part in The Wattbike six second power test at the Harrow Den to win an exciting prize of basketball tickets to watch the London Lions vs Bristol at the Copper Box Arena. During this activity, you will pedal for six seconds, and your recorded score will be the peak power that you hit during this period. Two tickets each are available for the highest scoring male and female participant on the day.

Students can also pick up a free Dragons Towel from the Den and speak to staff about the sports activities and resources available.

UWSU activities

The SU are also running a range of activities during this period including open-day ping pong at Marylebone Games Room and Cavendish near the Hive. Students can come to play a game of ping pong with their friends and other students and pick up some wellbeing resources and information.

The SU will also be promoting the Wellbeing Corners at Marylebone Campus. Join the SU to take part in a relaxing activity aimed at encouraging students to take a break on the day.  

Upcoming events

A variety of activities, training sessions and stalls will be available across the University and Students’ Union throughout the week. Full schedules, locations, and further details can be found on the events page on the Student Hub.

Year-Round Support Services

Mental health and wellbeing support is available throughout the year. Students can access the following resources at any time:

• Student Hub – A central platform providing access to events, mental health support, confidence-building opportunities, and career development resources
• University Wellbeing Resources – A comprehensive range of services dedicated to supporting student wellbeing
• Feeling Good App – Free access is provided to this wellbeing app, designed to enhance mental clarity and performance
• Student Minds & Student Space – A dedicated platform offering mental health resources and support

Encouraging Open Conversations

University should be a fulfilling experience, and prioritising wellbeing plays a key role in ensuring student success. University Mental Health Day provides an opportunity to explore available resources, gain insights and recognise the importance of seeking support.

Everyone is encouraged to take part on Thursday 13 March.