World Mental Health Day takes place on Monday 10th October with this year’s theme being 'Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority'.
Wellbeing Network for Staff
The Wellbeing Network provides an inclusive environment for discussion, information sharing and support on matters of mental health and other aspects of wellbeing, for academic and professional services staff across the institution. Activities include themed sessions with internal or external speakers; informal drop-ins; peer support; and the marking of significant days in the wellbeing calendar.
Network events offer members a chance to learn and participate in discussions to better support the wellbeing of themselves and of colleagues. Drop-in sessions provide a space to discuss success or challenges experienced in the workplace or take a break from the everyday routine and meet as a community.
The Network began with a small group of colleagues trained as Mental Health Champions by the mental health charity, Mind, and now has over eighty members. We are increasingly working together with the other staff networks to organise shared activities and are pleased to be developing closer working relationships with other teams across the university who hold responsibility for the health and wellbeing of staff.
If you would like to become a member of the Wellbeing Network, we would love to meet you! Please look us up on MS Teams here and join here
Alice Grayston and Rachel George, Co-chairs of the Wellbeing Network
Centre for Mental Health
The Centre for Mental Health is part of the University’s Institute for Lifecourse Development. It aims to support mental health and wellbeing throughout the lifecourse through innovative research and practice.
It includes professionals from a range of diverse disciplines whose current work has explored, among others, the mental health impacts of Covid-19, student resilience in the context of higher education, and health-seeking for problematic and unhealthy alcohol use, and innovative interventions and treatments for a wide range of mental health conditions.
In the past year, the Centre has led on several service evaluations, hosted mental-health related events (for example as part of the University Mental Health Day in March), and provided input to university initiatives that promote student and staff wellbeing.
The Centre also contributes to, and receives funding from, the NIHR-funded Mental Health Policy Research Unit. Project funding has come from a number of agencies including NIHR, Wellcome, MRC, and various private and voluntary sector organisations.
The Centre has around 30 members and we are aiming to further develop links with local services. Please do visit our website to find out more about the Centre and how to get involved.
