Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) has a dodgy reputation when it comes to room booking nightmares, but when it comes to student support, they are actually pretty amazing. They’re running a welfare campaign called Mental Health and Wellbeing Week, running from the 13 – 17 November. Here’s a brief summary of what’s going on each day, and where…
For more details, check out EUSA’s website.
EUSA – Let’s Talk
Monday 13 November
Start your morning with some meditation in the Business School, then head to Potterdome for the Mental Health fair. They’ll be giving out advice, directing you to services, telling you how you can help out your friends and campaign, and of course, giving out some freebies.
Frustrated in job searches? I know that insight applications have personally scared me away. Head to George Square in the afternoon to banish those CV fears, and reduce the stress of the future.
Sporty? Listen to a talk on how to handle mental health and the pressures of training. Or even kickbox for free in St Leonard’s Land, to relieve all the essay stress!
Tuesday 14 November
More meditation at the Business school in the morning, then come back later for a talk on how to cope with finances and handle money in a stress-free manner.
The Chaplaincy will also be busy. Join in the discussion on how the university can be more compassionate, and remind yourself of why you’re putting yourself through uni in the first place. Come back at lunchtime for some beginner tai chi lessons.
Missing your dog? Want an animal cuddle? Urban Nature are visiting the Pleasance, and bringing along some ‘very special animals’. I’d say this is the best event of them all!
Teviot will be hosting a talk on mental health in black and minor ethic communities, and Bedlam Theatre will present testimonies and interviews with real students about their experiences of mental health.
Wednesday 15 November
This day is completely packed!
Meet-and-greets: The Student Disability Service will be holding a drop-in session in the main library… but they won’t be able to compete with the ALPACAS who are coming in the afternoon! Take a selfie and entwine your fingers in their thick, fluffy fur… so, so fluffy… SAMH- Scotland’s mental health charity- will also be holding a drop-in session in Pleasance West. You know, the place by the gym that’s taken 2 years to be fully refurbished…
Mindful: Meditation will be both in the Business school and the Chaplaincy.
Sport: try out some netball in St Leonard’s Land, or play badminton in King’s. These sessions are held by the sport clubs themselves, so it’s a great opportunity to meet the teams as they extend their family love to everyone.
Entertainment: The ECA will be hosting a screening of ‘Call Me Crazy’, a film exploring the stigma of mental health.
Discussions and workshops: The Chaplaincy will be discussing how faith can build compassion and understanding, and there will be a talk on how to cope with mental health for those of us who are (like me!) planning to study abroad next year. The Business school will be hosting very interesting speakers, accompanied by a workshop on Paula Maguire. This amazing woman went from being intensely terrified of water, to swimming around the UK!
Thursday 16 November
Teviot are hosting #LetsTalk about Bipolar, intending to demolish the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder and how it affects the lives of suffers. There’ll be a networking event at the end.
There’s meditation in the Chaplaincy, but if you feel like mixing things up a little, why not check out the post-grad yoga and relaxation session in Teviot?
Another funky event is the Harmony Choir’s Meadows sing-a-long in the afternoon! Already in the Christmas spirit, but too embarrassed that people will judged you for belting out your favourite festive tunes? Come to the Meadows to share the love of singing.
Friday 17 November
Ever heard of a ‘self-care’ box? Come to Teviot for the chance to make your own little box of happiness when things get low.
It’s your last chance for free meditation and yoga, so head to the Chaplaincy and Little France for a reflective space squeezed in-between lectures.
Politics and IR will be having a peer-led support and advice session (how cute). Run by students, for students, with no judgment.
Enjoy a ‘fusbal’ taster session at the Pleasance, then head to Teviot to listen to the uplifting stories of current and alumni students with their honest, open, real stories.
Francesca Martinez will be presenting a comedy performance, talking about being a ‘wobbly’ comedian with cerebral palsy. Maybe you’ve seen her on Russell Howard or the Jonathon Ross Show, but this is guaranteed to be entertaining as well as enlightening.
The aim of the whole week is to get people talking about mental health. Even if you don’t manage to make it to these events, get chatting to your friends! Break down the barriers and end the stigma. #Let’sTalk