Published: 10 May 2021
10 to 16 May 2021 is Mental Health Awareness Week.
It is an important time to talk about mental health and to raise awareness of the different experiences of people living with mental illness and the challenges relating to mental health.
This is more important this year than ever before. The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on many people’s mental health, with more people experiencing challenges and difficulties than ever before.
Furthermore, the support services that are so essential to recovery and keeping well are harder to reach during lockdown and social distancing measures.
Whilst awareness and understanding of mental health is increasing, there are still many stigmas and negative stereotypes which create barriers to disclosing and seeking support.
How we are marking Mental Health Awareness Week
This Mental Health Awareness Week, we are highlighting a range of different experiences and perspectives in relation to mental health.
Members of staff have shared reflections of their own experiences, which you can read here:
We hope that these shared stories will increase awareness and understanding and help you to reflect on your experience with your own mental health and will enable you to support others who may be struggling.
We are grateful for those who have shared their experiences. We know that the range of experiences included in this series of articles is limited – there are so many overlapping factors linked to our identity that will impact our mental health and perspective.
Join our staff networks
If any of the experiences shared have resonated with you, we would encourage you to join our staff networks, which are open to all.
We have 3 staff networks at St George’s:
Mental Health Awareness and Mental Health First Aid courses
If you are interested in attending our Mental Health Awareness half day course or Mental Health First Aid two-day course, delivered by MHFA England, please contact Staff Development on staffdev@sgul.ac.uk for more information and to be added to the waiting list.
The Gathering
The Gathering - our Mental Health and Wellbeing Group – will be restarting monthly gatherings on Teams from Thursday 10 June 2021, from 12:30pm to 1:30pm.
If you would like to register for the event, or join the mailing list so you don’t miss updates, please email staffdev@sgul.ac.uk.
More information and support services
To find out information about support services, please visit our Where to get mental health support webpage.