World Mental Health Day is commemorated annually to raise awareness within the global community about mental health and wellbeing. We now live in unprecedented times where the daily lives of people across the world have changed considerably due to COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is even more important we come together as a community and show compassion to all.
This year the event falls on Sunday 10th October. However, we wish to continue the awareness of mental health and wellbeing throughout the month of October, emphasising the importance of this topic for our colleagues and students.
Head to the Students’ Union events page to access the events run throughout the month.
Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.
[Student Health and Wellbeing at the University of Westminster]
1. Connect with other people
Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. They can:
help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth
give you an opportunity to share positive experiences
provide emotional support and allow you to support other
2. Be physically active
Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness. Evidence also shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing by:
helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them
causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood
3. Learn new skills
Research shows that learning new skills can also improve your mental wellbeing by:
boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem
helping you to build a sense of purpose
helping you to connect with others
Even if you feel like you do not have enough time, or you may not need to learn new things, there are lots of different ways to bring learning into your life.
4. Give to others
Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing by:
creating positive feelings and a sense of reward
giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth
helping you connect with other people
5. Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)
Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.
Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.
Read more about mindfulness, including steps you can take to be more mindful in your everyday life.
Further Resources
Don’t forget that there are many other resources you can access to support your wellbeing at Westminster too:
UoW Wellbeing Resources & UWSU Wellbeing Resources
There are a variety of self-help resources available on a range of topics that may support you with your health and wellbeing, which are updated regularly.
We are providing free access to a positive mental wellbeing app that will accompany you through your student journey. The app is designed to enhance mental clarity and focus to reach optimal performance.
Need a little help to cope with all the Covid-19 changes? Student Space helps you to find the support that you need during the Coronavirus pandemic with information, tools and helpful hints.
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