World Mental Health Day 2021

Published Friday, 8^th October, 2021 in University news

The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10th October every year. This year's theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is 'Mental Health in an Unequal World'.

This year’s World Mental Health Day focuses on raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and on mobilising efforts everywhere in support of mental health.

The Day provides an opportunity for everyone working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s mental health. Some groups, including health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected, but this is a broader issue affecting so many more people. It’s therefore more important than ever to reach out and access resources where you can.

From a global perspective headway is being made as during the World Health Assembly in May 2021, governments from around the world recognised the need to scale up quality mental health services at all levels. And some countries have found new ways of providing mental health care to their populations.

Mental Health Support at City

Togetherall

If you need a safe place to share how you’re feeling and get support through courses & resources, City students have access to Togetherall using your academic email address.

Student Counselling, Mental Health and Accessibility Service

The Student Counselling, Mental Health and Accessibility Service provide practical, emotional and specialist disability related support to students. They offer a range of services to meet diverse, individual needs and support you to manage your wellbeing and fulfil your potential whilst studying.

They are currently running appointments both in-person (please see face-to-face Covid-19 guidance on their page) and online.

You can find additional advice to support your studies and wellbeing on their Moodle page.

Mindfulness Sessions

You can join one or more of the weekly mindfulness sessions taking place from 12:30 – 1pm every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, run by City's Centre for Excellence in Mindfulness Research (CEMR). The sessions are a space for community, friendly smiles and self-care in the middle of perhaps a chaotic week.

The team use a curriculum of mindfulness exercises that do not require any prior mindfulness or meditation experience. The sessions are also deliberately delivered in a light-hearted, interactive manner.

Anyone is welcome to join. The sessions are delivered through Zoom. Please contact Dr Jutta Tobias Mortlock for details on how to join the sessions.

Mental Health Society

For peer support, you can make the most out of The Mental Health Society at City, which was established with one ambition in mind, to encourage students to 'Be Good to Yourself'. The society seeks to:

• provide a safe space for students so they can be open about their struggles.
• work with the fantastic mental health services at the University to raise awareness about the importance of good mental health.
• encourage students who come to them with struggles to seek necessary help.

Crisis and emergency services and helplines

If you are concerned about your safety, you should contact the crisis and emergency services.

If you require immediate, urgent medical or psychological help and support you can do any of the following:

• Contact your GP to book an emergency appointment
• Call the Samaritans on 116 123
• If you are currently in student halls you can contact a member of staff for help and support
• Visit your nearest A&E, which you can find here
• If more immediate, urgent care is required you can call an ambulance by dialling 999
• If you are outside of the UK, please contact your local doctor or specialist services.

If you have a mental health condition and are already accessing specialist NHS services, you should receive the guidance on the Crisis and emergency Hub page.