REVIEW: Mental Health and Wellbeing Week @ Edinburgh Uni

The Edinburgh University Students Association hosted a mental health and wellbeing week offering a wide range of activities, workshops and drop-ins. Topics and points of interest included free gym and yoga classes and also micro-aggressions and self-harm. The emphasis being on raising awareness for students and providing access to those activities which are known to make a difference to well-being.

I popped in to the ‘volunteer drop in’ centre in the Pleasance and had the pleasure of meeting Jenny who is an advocate for student volunteering. She explains firstly the dilemma that volunteering can present: students are aware that it is of value but Edinburgh is a city which offers not only an excellent study opportunity but a vast social life too – and fitting in voluntary work can be challenging. Nineteen year old Jenny, a student in computer science believes that volunteering actually gives many social opportunities as well as being the platform for interesting and beneficial work experience.

Jenny presently volunteers her time at a local charity shop and shares her point of view which is that: at university students are around other students with similar goals and interests but when volunteering they are exposed to a wide variety of people from all walks of life and this opens many doors especially conversation wise. Jenny enjoys the fact that the volunteering community attracts people of all ages and for different reasons. Some will try out an area of work to ‘test the water’ for a possible future career. She mentions the balance of studying and practical activity and how unpaid roles offer a change in environment and a short break from course material.

Vice President Welfare for Edinburgh University Students’ Association gave a summary of a panel event. The topic was studying abroad for a year. Highlighted were the expectations which are often expressed: that students abroad will be having the time of their life and embracing all aspects of another country and culture. However the reality can be very different and may have an impact upon mental well-being.

Culture shock is another subject addressed and is particularly relevant in Edinburgh with 40% of students attending from overseas. Vice President Welfare for Edinburgh Students’ Association points out that culture shock is not only an issue in relation to going away for one year but can also be present on return.

One panel speaker is very clear that overall a year spent abroad is well worth it and that such an opportunity should be taken. The event raises awareness of what might arise and how this could possibly effect well-being.

There is much emphasis on the great variety of events that are taking place this week and how all people are represented. Events range from methods of prevention/intervention such as gym admission, dealing with moderate issues and also students suffering with more severe mental illness. The idea being that all students can relate to aspects of this interesting, relevant and interactive week. There is even pet therapy going on.

With the increase in mental health issues reported amongst students it seems more important than ever to have such a week where there is an abundance of information, work-shops and sharing.