Mental Health Awareness Week
09 May 2022
Mental Health Awareness week is all about raising awareness and promoting better mental health. The theme this year is loneliness and explores its effect on our mental health and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities.
Loneliness
No matter who we are, or what life stage we’re in, at some point we have all experienced loneliness. In February Confidential Care delivered a webinar on loneliness – the webinar discussed what it is, how it affects us and strategies to overcome feelings of sadness and distress.
To view the webinar you can go to Confidential Care’s YouTube channel.
Confidential Care also have two help sheets on loneliness:
Mental Health and Wellbeing Bootcamp
Confidential Care’s (CiC) Mental Health and Wellbeing Bootcamp is taking place during the Mental Health Awareness Week. For more information and to find out how to register for the Bootcamp please see our event listing.
Sources of help and support in the University
The University has recognised how important it is to be able to talk about our mental health in a supportive environment and we have invested in mental health skills training for over 80-line managers in 2021. In addition, members of the University Executive Board (UEB) and the Leadership Group attended the one-day Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training in the Autumn Term 2021.
Talking is one of the best ways we can look after our mental wellbeing but reaching out and starting a conversation about our mental wellbeing isn’t always an easy step.
We also have the Wellbeing Peer Support Network who have been trained to be the first point of contact if you are experiencing a mental health issue, poor wellbeing or emotional distress.
They are trained to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues and they can guide you towards the right support service for you.
The University provides an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which is an independent, free, confidential support and counselling service which is run by CIC and is called Confidential Care.
Confidential Care gives you a place to turn for support any time of day or night, 365 days a year. Support is available for whatever issues you might be facing, including work stress, depression, marriage and relationship issues, legal concerns, coping with change, parenting issues, financial problems, health issues and much more.