Mental health: Supporting each other

Let this be an article to relate to, know that these words are coming from a place of understanding and a battle that is very well known to myself. This isn’t a Vice President talking, but a friendly face with eyes and ears wide open. Whether you are experiencing mentally ill health or know someone that is, the journey is never the same, but we all have the same destination – to come out at the end a better you.

So much can be said about health and what that means to an individual. It could come down to eating healthy foods, exercising, healthy relationships, etc. However, mental health is on everyone’s radar and ‘solutions’ go far and wide to maintaining a good and healthy mental state of mind, especially in the unprecedented times we have experienced with more and more pressure put onto this generation of students. Despite all of this, the positive is that we are able to talk more openly about mental health and address something that has been and continues to affect a large population of the world. By shifting attitudes towards mental health we are in turn growing a greater sense of empathy for each individual we meet, understanding this is something that can affect the strongest and most confident of individuals.

Supporting each other...

If there is anything that I would want someone to take from this, it’s to truly know the importance of listening and feeling heard. Whether it’s someone who is having a bad day or had a history of poor mental health it’s always a good thing to reach out to open up a conversation or acknowledgement of their health and it all starts with simple questions: "how are you doing?", “do you want to talk about it?”, “do you need a distraction?”, “do you need some space?”. I hope to show the importance of asking someone the simple question "how are you doing?" and understanding that there are four approaches to support:

• Give them the time to be heard
• Be a distraction to the issues they are facing
• Give them the space they need
• Give them the options of support

If you or someone you know are struggling with your mental health, there is support available.

• Student Wellbeing offer a free, confidential service to all students and applicants. Their contact information is: 01332 593000 or wellbeingcentre@derby.ac.uk.
• Derby Samaritans will now be doing bookable appointments at the Union once a month. You can book your free, confidential appointment on our booking page.
• Student Space are offering 24/7 support during Coronavirus: studentspace.org.uk

Find out more about my mental health campaign