Mental Health Awareness Week

Programme of events

Live Lectures

Join us daily from 4pm for a mental health webinar. Each webinar will include research from our academics, information from the Students' Union and Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Services, followed by a Q&A panel. 

Lunchtime Workshops

Boost your mental wellbeing by joining us for a different workshop every lunchtime this week.

On-demand Talks

These talks will be available for you to watch whenever suits you.

Other Events and Helpful Links

• Wellbeing Ambassadors
  Join the Wellbeing Ambassadors from our Students' Union on Friday 14 May to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week. Find out more here.
• Conversation Café
  We understand that the pandemic has created an unusual situation for international students (both in the UK and overseas). Would you like to become more confident in conversational English and meet other international students? To help with this, the Conversation Café is an informal and friendly Zoom space for you to exchange views and information, and simply get to know others a little. All international students from across the University are welcome. Go to the Career Hub to book!
• Wellbeing Webinars
  The Accessibility & Wellbeing Advisers in Student Wellbeing & Inclusivity Service (SWIS) are offering the following sessions, including a series of five webinars being run by Wellbeing Advisers as part of Mental Health Awareness week; these webinars will help increase staff awareness of the signs and symptoms of mental ill health such as anxiety and depression, how to respond to students presenting with poor mental health, and the support available for students. Please book a place via HR Organiser. 
• Louder Than Words Podcast
  Listen to our podcast here, topics include mental health and nature as therapy.
• Dog based de-stress
  Need a listening ear and a chance to get away from it all? Come for a walk with an enthusiastic labradoodle and a calm Chaplain (available all week at a range of times at our Colchester Campus).
• Introduction to Building Resilience and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  In these workshops for students and staff, Simone Wakelin our University Cognitive Behaviour Therapist (CBT) will provide suggestions on how you can improve your capacity to withstand experiences that may cause you stress. Simone will help you develop your own CBT techniques to improve your wellbeing by better managing stress and anxious feelings you may have during this time. 
  
  Thursday 13 May, 9.30 - 11am (for students)
  Join on Zoom
  
  Friday 14 May, 9.30 - 11am (for staff)
  Join on Zoom
• 'Take a Few Moments For Yourself' Blog
  This blogpost contains helpful tips from Dr Caroline Barratt who is featuring in our live lecture on Monday 10 May.
• What is Mental Health? Video
  A short video brought to you by the School of Life Sciences.
• The Dangers of the Web Video
  Watch this video from PAPYRUS which explains the dangers of the web and support you can access.
• Supporting Your Mental Health While Working From Home
  Some helpful tips from Mental Health First Aid England.
• Walk and Talk with Friends International
  Join Friends International every Saturday at 2pm! Meet at South Courts (taxi rank near the bus stop). Email to book a place and for further details.
• Essex Sport
  Visit Essex Sport's Facebook and YouTube for live and pre-recorded classes and workouts!

TED Talks

We've put together a range of useful TED Talks relating to mental health which we hope you will find both inspiring and interesting.

• What Yoga Does to Your Body and Brain
• What is depression?
• What causes panic attacks, and how can you prevent them?
• What would happen if you didn’t sleep?
• The Psychology of post-traumatic stress disorder
• All it takes is 10 mindful minutes
• Is Social Media Hurting your Mental Health?

Resources for Essex staff and students

• Silvercloud - Programmes available on Silvercloud use clinically proven tools based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques. It can help you identify your key problems and offers activities to help you overcome them. Silvercloud programmes have high improvement rates for depression, anxiety and stress and can be accessed from your computer, tablet or mobile phone.
• Valadium - At Essex, our counselling service is provided by Validium. Counsellors are accredited with professional bodies and maintain a recognised standard of practice. Find out more information for students and staff.
• Essex has a range of resources to help promote wellbeing on the Wellbeing Directory on Moodle.
• Use your University credentials to sign into LinkedIn Learning where there are courses on building resilience, working from home and supporting well-being during times of change and uncertainty.
• Wellbeing Goodie Bags - staff and students that have had their 2 COVID-19 tests at least 1 day apart at our asymptomatic Testing Clinics will be offered a Wellbeing Goodie Bag! There are also food and drink treats for those who have attended their first test of the week, further details can be found on the Student Testing Page and Staff Testing Page.