Mental Health Awareness Week: what's on

Getting active to help our mental health is the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May 2024).

With warmer weather finally here, there are opportunities to make the most of our green campus if getting moving helps you to de-stress. This includes a campus walk this Friday, organised in collaboration with a mental health charity.

Additionally, there are free webinars offering help with using the University’s employee support programme and exploring self-care and addressing anxiety at work.

Active wellbeing

This Friday (17 May), colleagues are invited to join a Sport in Mind walk on Whiteknights campus. Co-organised by the SportsPark, the walk is aimed at getting us all out exercising and talking with others.

One colleague is also encouraging us all to arrange a walk with a friend or colleague anytime to talk about what’s on our minds, after he completed a 150-mile trek to raise awareness of mental health and the power of walking.

The SportsPark has also launched new, more inclusive exercise classes to help staff get active on campus, as part of its Sport and Active Wellbeing Vision.

Information on these active wellbeing opportunities and mental health tips and support has also been shared with students.

Support webinars

A free webinar held by our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), Confidential Care, is being held online on Tuesday (14 May). It will provide colleagues with information on using the free, confidential support the EAP provides to all staff 24/7.

Two webinars being held by Reading Borough Council for Mental Health Awareness Week are also open to colleagues to attend. Register via the Council’s website or call 01189373945 for additional support.

Tuesday 14 May: Managing Stress and Anxiety in the Workplace, 12:00-13:00, Online

This workshop is focused on how stress and anxiety affect us in the workplace and explores helpful ways to manage them. It will outline positive and achievable coping strategies, challenge unhelpful thinking styles, and explore the concepts of resilience and self-care.

Thursday 16 May: Understanding Common Mental Health Challenges, 12:30-13:30, Online

This workshop provides an overview of common mental health challenges in order to increase awareness. It will discuss common symptoms, explore healthy coping strategies, introduce useful skills and techniques such as grounding, journaling, and goal setting.

Support resources

Our Health and Wellbeing pages are full of resources and advice for colleagues, including the Employee Assistance Programme.

The Wellbeing Peer Support Network is a network of trained staff volunteers acting as a first point of contact if you are experiencing poor wellbeing, a mental health issue or emotional distress.

There are also training courses available on UoRLearn to help build resilience and manage stress.

Read the Vice-Chancellor’s World Mental Health Day blog from last year, recognising the concerns staff may be feeling and ongoing work at the University to improve our working lives.