Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from Monday, 15, May to Sunday, 21 May 2023. The official theme for this year, as set by the Mental Health Foundation, is 'anxiety'. The OU Students Association will be marking the campaign by highlighting some of the crucial services available to you as an OU student and running a Mindapples session, alongside some other activities which you can read about below.
Monday – get involved!
To start off the week, we’d like you to get involved by sharing on social media what makes you feel happy. Simply upload your uplifting photo and use the hashtag #MakesMeHappy
Tuesday – mental wellbeing support
To help support your mental wellbeing, TalkCampus, the OU Wellbeing app and Shout 85258 are available to all Open University students. You’ll find some information below, with links to the relevant webpages.
TalkCampus: If you’re struggling with student life you can get instant support for your mental health. The TalkCampus app offers a safe place to talk anonymously to students around the world about anything that is on your mind.
OU Wellbeing app: The OU Wellbeing app makes looking after your wellbeing fun, interactive and stimulating by providing you with the tools to start building healthy, positive habits into your everyday life.
Shout 85258 offers free, confidential and anonymous text message support 24/7 for when you’re feeling low, anxious, overwhelmed or just not quite yourself.
Wednesday – Mindapples session
Mindapples – 'Feed Your Mind' session
At 1:00pm on Wednesday, 17 May there will be an online Mindapples session to discuss how events in our lives and the environment can affect our minds. The session will also cover positive steps that can be taken to stay healthy and happy. You can access the session here.
Thursday – Studying with Bipolar
Head over to The Hoot and read Steph’s inspiring story. Steph tells us how studying has been life-changing for her in living with Bipolar and various other complex health issues that affect her mobility and physical dexterity.
Friday – Eco-anxiety
In light of the theme this year focusing on anxiety, we have published an article on The Hoot discussing eco-anxiety. We know our students and staff care deeply about environmental changes and therefore want to raise awareness of this.