Looking After Your Mental Health at University

     Just got your results? Going to university this September? If so, congratulations!

     Going to university can be a big step, you may be leaving home and living independently for the first time in your life. Going to uni opens up a whole new world of exciting opportunities and experiences to you. It's wonderful!

     However, university and student life can come with its own challenges and pressures; e.g. managing your finances, balancing your work load and social life (I hope I'm not putting you uni off here). If you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stressed or depressed, don't shut yourself away and suffer in silence. Remember, it is OK to feel like this and it is OK to ask for help.

Don't suffer in silence - it's OK to ask for help and support

     Sometimes when people go to university they believe they're going to be thrown in at the deep-end and left to their own devices. Whilst you are the one making the decisions of where you are going to live, how you divide your time to your studies and social life etc., you are not completely left on your own. There is help and support at hand.

      Below I've compiled a list a tips that can help you get the most out of university, as well as how to deal and cope with some of the stresses of student life: 

• Whilst at university, joining a sport or a society of something you love can be great for your mental health! It's time away from your studies and time for you to relax and socialise. It can be a great way of making new friends and can even act as a support network in times of difficulty.
• You can even make use of on-line student forums (such as The Student Room) as a source of support, as well as a place to socialise and relax.
• Personal tutors are also an excellent port of call for any problems you may have. For example, if you are getting stressed about your workload, or worried that you feel disorganised, you can speak with your tutors. They can offer you advice and help you to decide a course of action.
• Additionally, universities offer a wide range of services that can help with any worries you may have; whether you're worried about your finances, living arrangements, finding work etc. It's definitely worth checking out and taking down information of the help services your university offers.
• As well as this, almost all universities offer a counselling service - talking with a counsellor is a good way of letting off steam, as well as having some time and space to breathe and talk through any problems you may be having.
• Talking to a GP can also be beneficial; they can decide what they think will be the best way forward for you - whether it would be medication, talking therapies or both. If you have moved away from home, make sure you register with a local practice so you have someone to talk to whenever you need to.     

     It can be daunting and stressful having to talk to strangers about personal issues; if you're worried about forgetting what you are going to say, or worried that you won't be able to talk, then perhaps write down what you would like to say before go and use this as back-up if you need to. You could also take a close friend or someone that you trust if you don't want to go and handle it alone.

     The mental health charity Mind also offers help and information about coping with student life, which you read more about here.

    To everyone going to university at the end of summer I do hope you enjoy your time at uni and I wish you all the best for the future.

 

BMNM.

Mental Health and Academia

     This week is Mental Health Awareness Week (12th-18th May), and this year there is a particular focus on anxiety. I thought I'd do my part and do a blog post.

You can read the blogs here:
 http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/category/blog/anxiety

     

     Now, it's not long until I finish my first year of university; looking back it's been a wonderful year - I have met some truly amazing people and I have learned so much. Of course, this year has not come without its problems, difficulties and anxieties - balancing a tremendous workload, social life, and not to mention being fully independent for the first time in my life. I've managed to get through my first year of university unscathed; with the help and support of my lecturers, my loved ones and also on-line student forums (speaking of which The Student Room have recently unveiled their brand-spanking new hub for mental health  - especially for Mental Health Awareness Week). Reflecting upon this, it got me thinking and so I thought I would write (as the blog post title obviously tells you) about mental health and the world of academia.

 

     Over the past month or so I've seen evermore news stories popping-up in national newspapers about the pressures of academia and its effects on mental health in both students and university staff alike. And, perhaps more alarmingly, the lack of addressing the issue, and the culture of acceptance that mental health problems are part of the parcel in the world of academia.

    Last week, The Guardian reported that there have been rises in mental health problems in university staff, due to greater pressures of job insecurity, the never-ending demand for results, difficulties in maintaining a good work-life balance, as well as an ever-increasing competitive higher education system and difficulties in finding support. Furthermore, there have been reports that the negative and inflexible attitudes of many within academia prevent individuals from doing their job - intimidating people from disclosing their mental health problems and getting the support they need.  They also state that over the past decade there have been reported increases in individuals seeking help from university counselling and health services. Despite the increases in anecdotal accounts there's been little research into this area.

     These hard to shake negative attitudes are also affecting students, particularly those doing PhD's. Another article from The Guardian details the comments of those who are more or less stating that 'this is the path you've chosen so quit complaining'. As well as this, there are others with opinions that those in academia have it 'easy' compared to others in other occupations etc. These attitudes are not helpful one bit and do nothing but belittle and undermine these struggles.

     It's disheartening to hear that some of the most intelligent people we have in society, who have gained a voice, and have worked so hard for it, appear to have none when it comes to talking about the problems they face and talking about mental health. Additionally, it disappointing to read that some of the most intelligent people we have in society can be so misunderstanding and apathetic. 

     These outdated opinions and beliefs are taking its toll on academics; with many refraining from disclosing their problems with anxiety, depressions, eating disorders etc. Following a mental health survey of over 2000 academics, it was found that anxiety affected 83% of academics, depression 75%, panic attacks 42%, eating disorders 15% and that 11% of academics were self-injuring. The survey also reported that around two thirds of the academics who responded said that they have not told anyone in a senior position (e.g. research supervisor or line manager) about their mental health problems, and that just under two thirds had said that none of their colleagues were aware that they were experiencing mental health problems.

     It's evident that things need to change here, not just the archaic beliefs but also to assure others that it's perfectly fine to seek support.

     If you would like to learn more about Mental Health Awareness Week, anxiety, and ways in which to tackle mental health stigma, take a look at the Mental Health Foundation, Mind or Time to Change.

BMNM.

Time To Talk Day - 6th February

     Tomorrow, 6th February 2014, will be the first ever 'Time To Talk Day' - a whole day dedicated to encourage people to initiate conversation and talk about mental health; raising awareness, breaking down stigma and more. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, and neither is talking about it.

     

    Time To Change, the creators of this day, are aspiring to get 1,000,000 conversation going on the 6th.

     Up and down the country, in schools, workplaces, libraries etc. there will be thousands of events taking place, all with an aim to talk about mental health.

     Before you go thinking 'It's too late! What can I do?' Don't distress - you can still get involved, all you got to do is start/have a conversation, whether it'd be on-line or over a cup of tea. Easy as pie! You can also check here for any public events near you!

     Time To Change are also holding a 'Conversational Challenge'. On the social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, they will be setting a number of challenges throughout the day - asking people how many conversations they've had; all counting towards their 1,000,000 conversation target.

     That's not all. Time To Change are also holding a competition 'have a conversation to win a conversation' - when you share your conversation and why it has inspired you. By doing this you can be entered into this competition and win a conversation with either Russel Kane,  Beverley Callard or Ashley Roberts.

     So stick on the kettle and let's have a natter. Let's make this day an everlasting legacy.

BMNM.