Every year we celebrate World Mental Health Day on 10 October. It’s a chance to talk about mental health, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to get help if we are struggling.

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to check in with yourself. Many people experience changes in their mental health during their time at university. You may feel homesick, worry about money, find the pressure of studying too much, or stress that you’re not fitting in. These feelings are very common and usually subside as you begin to settle into university life.

However, for some people, they can become overwhelming and develop into depression or other types of mental health problems. If you feel like this, it’s important to do something about it as soon as possible and seek help if you’re struggling.

Looking after your mental health and wellbeing

There are lots of simple things you can do to maintain good mental wellbeing or when you notice your mental health slipping:

• Keep in touch with family and friends.
• Make time to do things you enjoy.
• Look after yourself through good diet and exercise.
• Create a balanced daily routine.
• Make sure you are getting enough restful sleep.
• Talk to people you trust.

The University has lots of mental wellbeing resources to help manage your wellbeing:

Wellbeing Advice Drop-in Sessions

Wellbeing Advice Drop-in Sessions provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space in which you can discuss any health and wellbeing concerns that you might have in a one-to-one setting. During the session, a Wellbeing Adviser can help you identify the relevant support options available to you and discuss any next steps.

Starting from Monday 7 October 2024, the sessions will take place every:

• Mondays at Newport, room NCCCC02, from 10am-3pm.
• Wednesdays at Treforest Campus Library, from 10am-3pm.
• Thursdays at Cardiff Campus Library, from 12-3pm.

Wellbeing Activities

There are a range of events, multi-session courses and regular group meetings available that focus on creating connections, forging friendships and improving your wellbeing. These are just some of the upcoming events:

Get active

• Walk & Talk, Wednesday 9 October, 11am-12pm, Treforest Campus
• Yoga, Wednesday 9 October, 3.30-4.30pm, Treforest Campus
• Dancefit, Monday 14 October, 10-10.45am, Newport Campus
• Circuits, Monday 14 October, 11-11.45am, Newport Campus
• Bike Safety Course, Friday 18 October, 9-11am, Newport

Be inspired

• Motivational Speaker Luke Rees, Thursday 10 October, 12-1pm, Online
• Official Papyrus Cardiff Hopewalk, Thursday 10 Ocotber, 5.30-6.30pm, PAPYRUS Office, Cardiff

Creative crafts

• Therapeutic & Reflective Creative Session, Wednesday 9 October 1.30-2.30pm, Treforest Campus

Therapy dogs

• Therapy Dogs, Tuesday 15 October, 12-2pm, Treforest Campus

See all events >

Getting Support

Our Support Services are dedicated to making sure that every student gets the support they need.

Wellbeing Advice Appointments are 45-minutes long and are available on campus (face to face), by telephone, and Microsoft Teams, and can be booked via Advice Zone Online.

The Help Yourself Hub provides links to self-help resources, including Togetherall, which is available for free to all USW students. Togetherall is a safe online community where you can express yourself, access a range of helpful tools and resources, and learn to manage your wellbeing.

Resources

Mental Health Foundation
Student Minds
Student Space
Time to Change Wales