Students find out about support available at Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival
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More than 300 students attended a Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival held by the Wellbeing team on Tuesday 12 November in Weston Hall. The aim was to help them find out about different wellbeing services that the University offers, as well as external services. There was live music, food, giveaways and even a 360-degree photo booth.
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Student support teams at the festival included study support, money and immigration advice, library, student advice and UWL’s interfaith adviser.
I think stress is the biggest issue for students and when they’re stressed the first thing that goes is looking after their own well-being. We want to help them break problems down and look at the basics,”
says mental health advisor in the Wellbeing Team Niall O’Neill.
If you cannot think of anything else, think sleep, food and rest. Students can access our free counselling service via the Student Hub, and there is no waiting list! They can also book to meet with the Disability and Mental Health team if they need any adjustments or advice.”
We provide advice on student funding, money such as bursaries, hardship funds and immigration advice.
Students can make an appointment through the Student Hub or email or phone us. Cost of living support at UWL is a valuable resource and so is www.savethestudent.org.”
explained Simi from the Student Money and Immigration Advice Team.
Maryan from West London Mental Health Integrated Network Teams was at the festival to tell students about their community-based treatment and care for over 18s with mental health difficulties.
We are here to raise awareness of diverse ways of dealing with mental health, the groups that we are doing for wellbeing and the targeted support we offer. There is a 'football for wellbeing' hub, and we can get coffee and go for walks in the community.”
Independent charity Drinkaware were giving students information about drinking alcohol and the short- and long-term impacts.
Students can do a drinking check to help them gauge their risk levels, understand their behaviour a bit better and make sure they are low risk,”
explained Research Officer Duncan.
Izzy was representing mental health charity Student Minds, whose website Student Space has lots of helpful videos and articles about navigating student life and its challenges.
Our articles are co-written by students and clinicians and some of our top reviewed ones are to do with finance, loneliness, friendship and grief.”
Second year Culinary Arts Management student Sophia commented,
It has been good to see all the different wellbeing services available to students. Some of the teams I was not aware of before, like the Student Advice team and the Faith service.”
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