The talk
Join a panel of alumni as they give advice on managing your mental health and wellbeing. The panel will share their own personal and professional experiences to discuss what it’s like to support others, yourself and work in the sector. The speakers will also cover topics such as:
Practical tips and advice on coping
Mental health not being a barrier to career progression
Useful resources and where to seek help
It goes without saying that mental health and wellbeing are extremely important to all, now more so than ever in these unprecedented times. Please sign up if you are interested in gaining advice and insight into how best support your mental health and wellbeing, and that of others.
The speakers will answer questions during the Q&A after the panel discussion.
This event is free, but you must register your place in advance.
About the speakers
Anastasia Vinnikova, Wellbeing Lead, Bank of England (BA Hons Business Management – Human Resources Management, 2014)
Anastasia is Wellbeing Lead at the Bank of England, a member of the Commission for Equality in Mental Health, and a Steering Committee member of the Thriving from the Start Network – a mental health network for those early on in their careers or about to finish their studies. Earlier this year, Anastasia also founded Winning Minds, a mental health resource for sportspeople. Through her work, Anastasia is keen to decrease the stigma around mental health conditions in the workplace and beyond. Anastasia is a passionate mental health advocate following her own experiences with depression and an anxiety disorder. Because of fear of stigma, Anastasia kept her challenges secret for seven years before feeling empowered to open up in 2016. Anastasia is a former competitive figure skater, through which she sustained some difficult injuries such as a spinal fracture and cartilage damage. Her experience juggling academia and a sporting career have informed her appreciation for wellbeing and resilience.
Nazanin Tayeby, Trainee Counselling Psychologist, NHS and private hospital and Visiting Lecturer, University of Westminster (BSc Psychology, 2013)
Since graduating from Westminster in 2013, Nazanin has worked as a Mental Health Support Worker and Therapy Assistant for private and NHS hospitals. In 2014-2015, she studied clinical mental health sciences at UCL, while working as an Assistant Psychologist at the Early Interventions for Psychosis Service at NHS St. George’s in Tooting. Subsequently, she worked at Broadmoor Hospital (NHS West London Mental Health Trust) as a Psychological Wellbeing Facilitator and Assistant Psychologist. Since 2017, Nazanin has been teaching psychology here at Westminster as a Visiting Lecturer and working as a Trainee Counselling Psychologist. Since 2018, she has completed her doctoral training in counselling psychology and worked in the NHS IAPT service. Nazanin currently works at a GP service and for a women and girls network, supporting women that have been a victim of gender-based violence.
Russell Woodhead, Specialist Clinical Psychologist at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust (MSc Psychology, 2014)
Russell works as a Specialist Clinical Psychologist in child and adolescent mental health services. Having originally trained as an actor, he completed the MSc Psychology course at the University of Westminster in 2015 and went on to complete his doctorate at the Salomons Institute in Tunbridge Wells. His research examined the link between men's social relationships and wellbeing. Having undertaken two very competitive professional trainings, Russell is interested in how striving to achieve our career ambitions can both support and challenge our mental health and wellbeing.
Panel chair: Lubaba Khalid, Vice President of Welfare, The University of Westminster Students’ Union (BA Hons International Relations, 2019)
Lubaba Khalid is the Vice President of Welfare at the University of Westminster Students’ Union. Within her role, she has been involved in different projects and campaigns – from Black History Month to cultural competency (now referred to as intercultural sensitivity). Within her role as the Vice President of Welfare, Lubaba has championed the importance of embedding liberation in everything we do as a university. Furthermore, Lubaba is also an elected member of the National Union of Students’ National Scrutiny Committee, where she scrutinises and examines the work of NUS officers and holds them to account.
