Library Services Blog

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 

Mental Health Awareness week starts on May 13th so let’s talk about our mental health as - let’s face it - it affects us all! We all have both good and bad days, and our mental wellbeing can fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. As the old adage of ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ goes, it’s important to reach out to others and have open conversations about how we are feeling and take positive action to stop things spiralling out of our control. 

Student Minds (2023) reports that mental health difficulties among students have almost tripled in recent years and in the 2022/23 academic year, one in six students reportedly experienced mental health challenges. This rise in in mental health problems can be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, the current cost of living crisis, and changing attitudes towards mental health. Additionally, academic demands, moving away from home, making friends and juggling work and family commitments can play a huge factor as these can cause stress, anxiety and depression. It is therefore vital that the university ensures that mental health support and awareness is readily available to all students, and that students know how and where to access this. 

What can we do to improve our mental health and wellbeing? 

Practicing self-care should be a priority and this means eating a healthy balanced diet, taking regular exercise, getting adequate sleep, and making time to relax and do something that you enjoy. This is particularly important when preparing for exams or working on assignments – try to plan out what steps you’ll take to look after yourself as the deadline approaches, in the same way that you would plan and manage your study time. 

When you are experiencing poor mental health, simple tasks can feel overwhelming, so try not to overload yourself. It’s okay to say ‘no’ to ensure you prioritise the things you need to do and make time for yourself. Maintaining social connections with others is important, even when you don’t feel like it to offset feelings of isolation and remind yourself that you’ve got a network of friends and family around you that care about you. You could reach out and join a club or society to make new friends, try a new activity to broaden your social connections, or give volunteering opportunities a go to give you that mental boost! 

Initiate small steps to make small lifestyle changes and challenge your negative thoughts. For example, if you find yourself thinking, ‘I’m not clever enough and will fail my exam, try to ask yourself is ‘is this true?’ or ‘what would you say if a friend says if a friend said this to you?’ Other strategies to try include meditation, mindfulness or keeping a journal or diary to track your mood, thoughts and feelings. 

Where can I find more information on mental health and wellbeing? 

The Stay Well Study Well website, designed by the Library's Skills Centre and Student Wellbeing, offers a wealth of information, guidance and resources to help you balance your wellbeing and mental health with your studies. You’ll also find links to other SHU support services. Student Wellbeing also offer practical sessions on mental health, along with Wellbeing support appointments.