Mental Health Awareness and Wellbeing Group (MHAWG)

Overview

We are an active group promoting positive mental health awareness and wellbeing to students and staff in the Department of Health Sciences. We understand and recognise the importance of looking after our own mental health and the mental health of those around us.

This will also help to support Key Objective 3 of the University Strategy 2014 - 2020:To offer all our students an outstanding and valuable experience.

"We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health. Mental ill health can strike at any time and can affect people from all walks of life.

Although things are improving, stigma still exists around mental ill health. As a society, we don't tend to know how to take care of our mental health like we do our physical health. This means that people may not know how to support a friend, family member or colleague experiencing a mental health issue, or where to go for support with their own mental health - MHFA England."

Our group members consist of Mental Health First Aiders (Teaching and Support Staff) and student representatives (Undergraduate and Postgraduate).

We aim to:

• collaboratively work with the wider university
• support national and international mental health events
• build and develop links with local community groups and other external organisations
• hold regular meetings to discuss ideas and events which will positively impact on staff and students
• provide resources to support staff and students

Watch this short video entitled 'Everyday People' produced in collaboration with Mind, Mental Health UK and Action For Children. The video explores the universal nature of mental health as well as the dangers of feeling unable to discuss it and using smiles as “a veil.” Please note the video does show images that some viewers may find disturbing.