How to talk about your mental health

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This Thursday is University Mental Health Day, a national awareness day that aims to bring together the university community to make mental health a priority.

Working from home and ever-changing government guidelines have undoubtedly affected all staff and their wellbeing. It’s more important than ever to make sure we’re talking about mental health and offering our friends and colleagues the opportunity to share how they are.

Asian woman student works late at night. She is rubbing her forehead and looks stressed

Joanna Fairweather is an HR Partner in Learning and Organisation Development. She’s part of the team that looks after the Wellbeing Hub. She shares why checking in on our own mental health is something we should all be doing: “We all have mental health and just like our physical health, it’s along a spectrum. Discussions on mental health tend to focus on those experiencing mental illness who need care or support.

“As a University we have a responsibility to offer support to staff and students an opportunity to identify those at risk and intervene early. But we also have the opportunity to promote good mental wellbeing helping us to thrive even when times are challenging.”

So where should you start? Joanna explains: “We believe in the value of Five Ways to Wellbeing supporting you to look after your mental wellbeing and encouraging you to stay active, take notice, keep learning, connect and give.

“We also know that talking about your mental health can be difficult but when you do, we want you to have access to the advice and guidance that you need to support your mental health and wellbeing at work,” Joanna adds.

The Staff Wellbeing Hub brings together all available University Mental Health and Wellbeing services into one location. There is now a new mental health and wellbeing support toolkit available too, aimed at communications and HR colleagues, as well as line managers. The toolkit may also be useful to any member of staff looking for guidance on this topic.

Visit the Wellbeing Hub website or read the toolkit.

Photography: bunditinay/GettyImages