What is World Mental Health Day?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises World Mental Health Day every year on the 10th October. The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health (WHO, 2022).
World Mental Health Day 2022: Theme
This years’ theme for World Mental Health Day is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing a global priority for all’. WHO states ‘The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health, fueling short- and long-term stresses and undermining the mental health of millions…We must deepen the value and commitment we give to mental health as individuals, communities, and governments’ (WHO, 2022).
At the University of Cumbria, we ensure that the mental health and wellbeing of all our students is a priority. We therefore wanted to take this opportunity on World Mental Health Day to detail what support is available for students, to show you that we are committed to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing throughout your time at university and beyond.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Support at the University of Cumbria
The Mental Health & wellbeing team
The Mental Health & Wellbeing Team offers support which is accessible for all students across the University of Cumbria. By making a referral to the Mental Health & Wellbeing Team, you will be offered short-medium term talking therapy, an evidence-based approach for improving mental health and wellbeing. The Team offers face-to-face appointments or appointments via Microsoft Teams and telephone. To make a referral to the Team or to submit an enquiry, please use the Student Enquiry Point.
Students can also access the Mental Health & Wellbeing Team webpage, where you’ll find a range of mental health information, advice and resources, including what to do if you’re experiencing a mental health crisis.
Disabled student allowance (dsa)
If you have a long-term and diagnosed mental health condition, you may be eligible for mental health mentoring. Mentors work to help students achieve their full potential at university, while also helping to mitigate the impact of your mental health condition on university life (UMHAN, 2022). For more information about mental health mentoring, watch this short video.
You can apply for DSA via your student finance portal. Alternatively, if you would like more information and guidance regarding DSA, contact the Disability Team via the Student Enquiry Point.
Togetherall
Togetherall is an online therapeutic platform which is designed to compliment the University’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Service. Togetherall is free for all University of Cumbria Students and offers an anonymous and stigma-free environment to allow you to follow your own path to improved mental health. Togetherall offers:
- Peer support through an online community
- Resources for self-management
- Information and advice
- Guided support programmes on a range of common issues
- Is monitored 24/7 by trained clinicians
To register for Togetherall click here.
Skills@CUMBRIA
Mental health and your academic and professional performance at university are intrinsically linked. Assignments and exams can increase stress and anxiety, while stress and anxiety can make meeting deadlines and succeeding in exam settings difficult. This is why the Skills@Cumbria Team and the Mental Health & Wellbeing Team have teamed up to produce the Live Well Learn Well blog. From how to manage procrastination to providing top tips on how to bounce back after a disappointing grade, the blog has an array of information, guidance and personal stories to help you to prosper at university.
In addition, if you have any questions or concerns relating to academia, book a skills@cumbria one-to-one appointment via the Student Enquiry Point.
International student support
We appreciate that study and life in the UK may be different to that of your home country. International Student Support can help you with your transition into university study and student life, to ensure you have a successful, enjoyable and supported student experience. For more information about the support available for international students click here.
eXTERNAL SUPPORT SERVICES
There may be times when the university signposts you, or supports you with a referral, to an external service.
It’s important to keep in mind that there is a range of external support services that are available to you in your local area:
- Ensure you register with a GP local to your university campus
- Make a referral to Minds Matter (Lancaster students), First Step (Carlisle and Ambleside students) or your local IAPT service in London (London students) to receive specialist talking therapy via the NHS
- Contact your local Mind charity to see what information, guidance and support they can offer. For Carlisle and Ambleside students this will be Carlisle Eden Mind and for Lancaster students, this will be Lancashire Mind. London students should visit the Mind website to find their local branch.
- In a mental health crisis, you can contact the 24hr Universal Mental Health Crisis Lines – North Cumbria 0800 652 2865 – South Cumbria 0800 953 0110. Again, there will be different numbers for the various areas of London. Visit your local NHS trust’s website to find the crisis line number for your area.
- There are also a range of mental health helplines if you need out-of-hours or immediate support.
References
‘World Mental Health Day’ (2022), The World Health Organisation, https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day
‘World Mental Health Day 2022’ (2022), The World Health Organisation, https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2022
‘Specialist Mental Health Mentors’ (2022), UMHAN, https://www.umhan.com/pages/specialist-mental-health-mentors