World Mental Health Day activities
Join us to celebrate World Mental Health Day – Tuesday 10 October
To celebrate World Mental Health Day, we’ve organised a week of activities to help you take care of your mental wellbeing. Based around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing these activities invite you to: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give.
Connect // Tea and Chat // 12.30-1.15pm // Thursday 12 October // JC1/10
Join our Staff Wellbeing Lead, Claire Dambawinna, for a cuppa and a chat. Do you have questions about wellbeing and the University’s support and resources? Or perhaps you’d just like a few minutes away from your desk and an opportunity to meet colleagues from across the University. Whatever your reason for coming along, Claire looks forward to meeting you. Click here: Staff Wellbeing Tea and Chat Tickets, Thu 12 Oct 2023 at 12:30 | Eventbrite for more information and to book.
Be Active // Mindful Movement // various times throughout the week
Join Active Hud for some mindful movement. Their Active Wellbeing classes include gentle Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates as well as more active Zumba, Climbing and Kung Fu! Classes are free to staff. Click here: Timetable - University of Huddersfield to find out more. Alternatively, if you already have the KAL app, simply select Active Wellbeing to browse and book your class.
Take Notice // Meditation // 12.15-12.45pm Wednesday 11 October // CSG/21
Join our friends from the Vajrapani Kadampa Centre for a guided meditation session. Click here: Guided Meditation Session with the Vajrapani Kadampa Centre (office.com) to book.
Keep Learning // Wellbeing e-learning // access any time
Want to learn how to have supportive wellbeing conversations, build resilience or manage stress? The POD Wellbeing E-Learning Suite offers a range of courses to support your wellbeing and help you assist others. Click here: Wellbeing E-Learning Suite - University of Huddersfield to keep learning about wellbeing.
Give // Volunteer to help others - 12.15-12.45pm Tuesday 10 October // Online webinar via Microsoft Teams
Join Becky Bracey, Volunteer Services Lead at Third Sector Leaders Kirklees, to learn how to access a variety of volunteering opportunities across Kirklees. Click here: Kirklees Volunteer Services Information Webinar (office.com) to book.
Give // Volunteer to plant trees - 1-4pm Wednesday 22 November // The Great Yorkshire Outdoors!
Take a break from your desk* to experience hands-on reforesting of an area of land within our community, and show you care about trees! This is an opportunity to connect with nature, which is proven to help mental health, lower heart rate and reduce stress levels. Click here: Tree Planting Session! Tickets, Wed 22 Nov 2023 at 13:00 | Eventbrite to book your place. (*Please note that all staff are required to please seek their line managers permission to attend a session before making the booking.).
Seeking Support
Talking about mental health is good. Whilst it might feel scary or uncomfortable initially, having conversations about how you’re feeling, or starting a conversation with someone you’re concerned about is the first step towards support. Remember, it’s always ok to ask for support if you’re struggling and to offer support to someone you think might not be ok. Here at the University we have a range of support and resources for staff including the following:
Our Staff Wellbeing Confidential Support provides telephone counselling for staff. You'll speak to a qualified counsellor and the service is available 24/7 365 days per year. You can also access self-help workbooks, podcasts, financial advice and support for domestic abuse via their online portal. We're currently reviewing this service and, if you've ever used it, we'd love to hear your feedback via this anonymous survey. Click here: Employee Assistance Programme (tercltd.co.uk) to access the service
Our Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders) are a network of volunteers from across the University who are trained to have supportive wellbeing conversations and provide proactive mental health support. If you're feeling sad, stressed, anxious or simply overwhelmed, they're here to help. Meet your MHFAiders here: Mental Health First Aiders - University of Huddersfield
The Staff Wellbeing Hub offers a range of information and resources. Visit the hub here: Staff Wellbeing Hub - Home (sharepoint.com)
Our Staff Networks offer a safe space for staff who share a protected characteristic to network, obtain peer support and share information. Learn about the networks here: Staff Networks - University of Huddersfield
If you have any questions about the above, please don’t hesitate to contact the Staff Wellbeing Team on staff.wellbeing@hud.ac.uk And finally, look out on campus on World Mental Health Day as the Oastler Building and Gym will be bathed in green to show our commitment to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, raising awareness and creating a campus where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported.