Ahead of this year’s University Mental Health Day, aAh! takes a look at the activities taking place to encourage students to talk about mental wellbeing and introduce services available to students at Manchester Met.

By Caleb Nelson

This year’s University Mental Health Day is themed ‘use your voice’ and will take place on Thursday 7th March. The aim of the day is to encourage conversation and will emphasise the power every student has to shape the future of student mental health.

The event will provide opportunities for new and returning students and staff to learn about all of the services available and speak to the friendly teams of support staff on hand.

Starting at 1pm in the North Atrium of the Business School, activities will include a planetarium, ‘good mood food’ and a special de-stress with guide dogs session, Paws for Thought. Students are invited meet handlers and cuddle dogs, as studies have shown that spending time with animals can reduce stress and anxiety levels.

Tickets can be purchased online at the MMU Sport online store, or they can be bought on the day. Guide Dog cuddles will be available 2pm – 4pm. A donation of £2.00 is requested which goes to the Guide Dog Association.

Mental Health Day will also showcase a range of support services available including the Counselling, Health and Wellbeing Service’s team of counsellors, mental health and wellbeing mentors, and a mental health advisor experienced in helping students. Here we round up some of the services and support networks on offer.

Counselling, Health and Wellbeing Service

Manchester Met have a dedicated team of councillors available to talk with students who need it. The counselling service has an open door for 20-minute sessions between 1pm – 2pm, Monday to Friday. There are also initial assessment appointments which can be booked by any student through emailing counselling@mmu.ac.ukor phone 01612473493. 

NHS Self Help

If a face-to-face consultation isn’t for you, then there are a number of digital options including NHS self-help leaflets. These cover a variety of different topics such as alcohol, anxiety and abuse. These leaflets offer information and support and can be used alongside counselling sessions.  

SilverCloud

An alternative to counselling is an online programme called ‘SilverCloud’. SilverCloud is a safe and secure online space offering personalised programmes, designed to help people experiencing a wide range of mental and behavioural problems. Once registered, you are assigned a personal supporter who will set personalised modules to be completed and your own pace. To create an account, you will need to contact the MMU counselling service and they will set one up for you

Wellbeing Workshops and Courses

Manchester Met also offer a number of free wellbeing workshops and courses. These can be useful to people personally affected or those wishing to learn more to help someone they know. The workshops range from specific to mental health illnesses, to managing stress and procrastination, to supporting a friend in need and managing anxiety. Most of these sessions are just turn up and join in, however others need to be booked through Eventbrite.

Have your say – share your feedback on the services

To help Manchester Met’s support services provide the best service they can, please spare a few moments to fill in their Feedback Survey. It could make a big difference to students at Manchester Met.

Full details of the University Mental Health Day can be found here www2.mmu.ac.uk/student-life/events/detail/index.php?id=10739.