Thursday 9 March 2023 is #UniMentalHealthDay, when university communities join forces to get talking about student mental health!
To mark the day, University of Kent will be holding a programme of events throughout March to help students and staff boost their wellbeing and raise awareness of the support and resources available to them.
Webinar: Supporting your wellbeing at Uni with Spectrum Life, March 1, 12:00-13:00, online
Join the free webinar on student wellbeing hosted by Radio DJ, writer and presenter Keith Walsh, and featuring Deputy Director of Student Services and Head of Student Support and Wellbeing at Kent, Lee Fellows, and Chartered Psychologist Dr Aman Kwatra.
Learn about the importance of creating an open culture around mental health, how to build good support networks, how to discover the resources available to you, how to keep your wellbeing in good health during university, and how to cope with issues you may face in your student life.
Spectrum Life, one of Kent’s partner organisations, offers 24/7 access to phone, text and WhatsApp support.
Therapy dogs, mindful colouring and free plants, March 2, 11:00-14:00, Nexus in Templeman Library
Join us in Nexus for a range of calming wellbeing activities, including meeting some therapy dogs, trying out mindful colouring and picking up a free succulent plant!
Therapy dogs are proven to reduce blood pressure, lift mood, and promote self-esteem, while mindful colouring provides the opportunity to calm the brain and disconnect from stressful thoughts. And succulents remove toxins from the air, help improve focus and concentration, and can reduce stress, plus they’re low maintenance and easy to look after!
Journaling for wellbeing workshop, March 2, 13:00-14:00, DG01 in Templeman Library
Join Ali McDowell, Co-Founder of The Positive Planner, for a workshop on how journaling can support your mental health. Their Positive Student Planner offers a space for organisation of thoughts and feelings, problem-solving and self-reflection.
Learn how to reframe difficult emotions, plan ahead, reflect on your experiences, and manage your student life more effectively and with confidence.
Wellbeing at Waterstones: Reaching balance in student life, March 2, 18:30-20:15, Waterstones Canterbury, Rose Lane
Head to Waterstones in Canterbury for mindfulness talks, journaling ideas, and live music.
Psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher Lorraine Millard will talk about her new mindfulness book, Mindfulness and Wellbeing for Student Learning, and how mindfulness can help students thrive by overcoming the anxieties and stresses of university.
There will also be an introduction to the Positive Student Planner, full of strategies, activities, tips and planning tools to help students organise their thoughts and improve their wellbeing. There will be live music and a 15% discount on books!
5-week mindfulness course, Wednesdays throughout March, 11:00-12:30, online
The School of Economics is running a free 5-week mindfulness course throughout March, open to all students at Kent.
Proven to help increase focus for the benefit of learning, reduce stress and anxiety and improve mental health, mindfulness is a technique that can help boost wellbeing during your studies.
You’ll learn about the theory of mindfulness, plus you’ll gain employability points and a certificate upon completion.
Wild Wellbeing: Nature Weaving, Sat 4 March, 11:00-13:00, Kent Community Oasis Garden
East Kent Mind and the Kent Community Oasis Garden team present a series of wellbeing sessions based around nature-inspired arts and crafts.
Wellbeing Café, Mon 6 March, 15:30-16:45, K-Bar Red Room (next to K-Bar)
An informal, friendly and relaxed space to connect with other students and take part in activities that promote wellbeing.
Run by Mental Health Advisors from the Student Support and Wellbeing Team, the Wellbeing Café provides refreshments, a space to check in, a 30-minute themed activity and discussion.
Free Book Swap, March 9, 12:30-14:00, Nexus in Templeman Library
On # UniMentalHealthDay, head to the Templeman Library for a chance to swap your old books for something new and exciting to read. All books are welcome!
More Medway Events
Head to the Drill Hall Library on 3 and 7 March between 10am and 2pm for Wellbeing Collage with the Medway Campus Chaplaincy.
Or head to The Hub on 6 March between 10am and 2pm for Pets as Therapy Dogs.