Mental Health

What is Mental Health?

Mental Health is often thought of as a negative thing, and referred to as such, even though we are all mental beings just as much as physical beings with the two being just as important as each other.

Mental health is a broad topic, which ranges from the day-to-day worries and concerns that we have regularly to the intensity of suicidal depression where some individuals find that they lose all contact with the outside world.

It is worth noting that on average 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem in the course of a year and whilst the majority of these people will be able to get over them or learn to live with them, unfortunately there are many people experiencing a mental health problem who simply do not know where to seek the right help and support.

Whilst at College you will be faced by all sorts of general worries and concerns, from what to have for dinner to meeting tight deadlines whilst holding down a part time job and trying to make time to see your friends. It is important that we look out for our friends as much as we do ourselves and accept that sometimes people just need time out, it does not make them mad or any less capable.

What is meant by mental illness?

Although students may not wish to 'label' themselves as having a mental illness, the following are commonly associated with the term: self injury, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, eating disorders, paranoia.

If your state of mind is troubling you to the extent that it is distracting you (or your friends) from your normal everyday life, then it might be worth seeking help/advice, even if it just involves chatting to someone you trust.

For the purposes of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 mental health is defined as a disability, and as such the university is under a duty not to discriminate against students with mental health difficulties. This applies equally to the admission of students to courses within the College, and to the provision of education and support services.

What, me?

According to the mental health charity Mindout, 1 in 4 of us will experience some kind of mental health problem within the course of a year. It has also been suggested that this figure is even higher among students...

College life is lots of fun but is also a period of immense transition during which students face many pressures. These may be course-related, or may come from the stress of having to fund themselves through university. It is also a time during which new relationships are formed and old ones break down.

In addition, as students, we are likely to drink far too much alcohol, not sleep enough and eat junk food! All this may lead us to feel run down and tired, meaning that if you have suffered from poor mental health in the past, it may well re-appear.

How can you look after yourself ?

Try to keep things in perspective.

Identify the source of stress and try to reduce it. Making some small changes to your lifestyle may well enable you to cope better with the stress you are experiencing.

Regular exercise will help improve your mood, as well as reduce anxiety and improve your ability to cope.

Eat a healthy diet and take time to prepare and eat proper meals and if you tend to use alcohol or tobacco to cope with stress, try to cut down or stop. You will feel better in the immediate future as they provide a temporary lift, however, long term they make things worse.

Make time to do the things you enjoy. Have lots of 'fun time'!! From leisure activities, to spending time with friends and family, it is important you take this time out. Remember to celebrate the things you like about yourself!

Try to develop good sleeping habits. Baths and milky drinks are recommended (not tea/coffee). A dark, well ventilated room should enable you to have a good nights kip, and if you can't sleep, don't lie there getting more worried about it, get up and do something relaxing for half an hour, then try again!

Learning to relax - there are lots of techniques out there including deep breathing, progressive muscular relaxation and meditation and if you're not sure how to, there are plenty of books, or how about making it your hobby and join a few classes?

Ask for help if you feel distressed or upset.

Who Can I Talk To?

Sometimes the above just aren't enough and you need to talk to someone, it can be extremely helpful to talk through your problems with someone you do not know. If you are concerned about your own, or a friend's mental health, there are many places to go for help. You could speak to a GP, the SU Advice & Development Manager or the College Counselling Service.

There are plenty of organisations that provide support and advice for those with mental health difficulties. Here are just some of them:

Click here to access The Depression Alliance website.
Click here to access the Eating Disorders Association website.
Click here to access the MIND website.
Click here to access The Samaritans website.