University Mental Health Day 2024 – How are you doing?

March 14th marks University Mental Health Day, a day that provides an opportunity to promote mental wellbeing, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations about mental health challenges university communities might face. Some of you will have been here with us in Swansea for a while now, while some of you have only just arrived. Whatever your situation, we hope you’re doing well and enjoying your time at University, and we wanted to reach out to ask you, how are you doing?

If you do feel that you’d like some extra support, there are many different services and initiatives available to you, whether you’re an undergraduate, postgraduate, or research student. Here are some we’d like to highlight based on some of the stats provided by Student Minds as part of their annual University Mental Health Day campaign:

We know that the effects of the cost of living are creating stress for people across the UK. Your Students’ Union will be providing weekly cost of living breakfasts on both campuses until the end of June:

• Singleton Campus: Tuesday 9:30-11:30 – JC’s Bar 
• Bay Campus: Thursday 9:30-11:30 – Y Twyni  

The team have also made a weekly foodbank service available to all students:

• Singleton Campus: Friday 2:30-3:30 – Faraday Foyer 
• Bay Campus: Thursday 10:30-11:30 – Y Twyni 

If you’re currently experiencing any financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances outside of your control, then you may be eligible to receive some financial support from the hardship funds offered by Money@CampusLife.

Eligible applicants will receive a payment in the form of a non-repayable grant. For more information and to submit your application, visit the Money@CampusLife webpage.

We know that starting university can be tough. We’ve recently launched a brand-new online course that prepares you for the mental, emotional and practical challenges of university. Hapus provides you with knowledge and tools to deal with issues like social anxiety, procrastination, managing finances and developing resilience. Here’s a little taster of the kind of content to expect from Hapus:

Did you know that Behaviour Activation is a strategy that targets low and elevated mood? It is important to understand that stress and unpredictability in our lives creates more stress and that can exhaust the system. We cannot control the larger world, but we can create predictability by creating a structure that makes our experience of the world more predictable. For example:

• We need to have a bedtime and a wake-up time that are consistent. 
• We need to include movement and engaging with hobbies in each day. 
• We also need to include a manageable task in each day. 
• Different people have different times of the day that are most challenging, either morning or evening. Your schedule needs to account for more supportive strategies for those times.

You can find out more about Hapus on our webpage.

Togetherall is a digital mental health service freely available at togetherall.com. Using your University email address, you can anonymously access support 24/7 with trained clinicians online at all times, as well as a range of helpful tools and resources.  It is a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively and learn how to manage your mental health.

By registering for a Togetherall account you will have access to useful resources and can work through tailored self-help courses covering topics such as anxiety, stress, sleep, weight management, depression and many more at a pace which suits you. 

It is entirely your choice on whether you disclose information on your mental health condition.

You may find that your condition does not impact on your ability to study so you do not feel it is relevant to disclose, however, the University encourages students to declare specifically if your condition can have an impact on your ability to study.

These could be things like additional time or a smaller room in exam conditions, alternative means of assessment for coursework etc. It also means we can assist and progress any application for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), a formal, non means tested additional support.

If you want to proceed with formally notifying us of your mental health condition, please complete a Student Support Form.

We will not inform any department regarding your condition unless we have your permission to do so.  

If you feel that you would like some additional information or assistance with accessing the service, we will be running some information sessions about accessing support at Swansea,  Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) and Specific Learning Differences(SpLD)/Diagnostic Assessment.

Further information can be found here: Mental Health Support – Swansea University

Have you heard about the on-campus student led volunteering charity called Discovery? There are loads of fun and rewarding opportunities available to you right now, so make sure you check them out!

Volunteering is an amazing way to make new friends, learn skills and help your local community. Volunteering your time can have incredible positive benefits to your own mental health and wellbeing.

Your health and wellbeing are incredibly important to us and we wanted to make sure that you are all aware of the range of student support services we offer. Sometimes life can bring up unexpected challenges so please be sure to read through and bookmark these links, so you know where we are should you ever need us!

Additionally, keep an eye out for upcoming events, workshops, and free resources that can enhance your university experience and help you with your overall well-being. If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to reach out to one of our friendly support teams. You can find a complete list of services on the MyUni website.

We hope you have a great term ahead!