Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from Monday 10 - Sunday 16 May, and the theme is 'nature'. Research by the Mental Health Foundation showed going for walks outside was one of our top coping strategies during the pandemic, and 45% of us reported being in green spaces had been vital for our mental health.
Sussex is located on the edge of a National Park and has a history of protecting and enhancing our green spaces. With so much love for our surroundings evident among staff, we want to ask you how nature has helped you during this time. Please take a few minutes to post some of your favourite memories of nature below: some text, a photo, some birdsong, a video etc.
What's on during Mental Health Awareness Week?
From Monday 10 to Friday 14 May, the University is showcasing a range of meeting places and self-care resources to help all of us to look after ourselves and look out for others.
Even though many of us won’t be on campus, there are links below to virtual or actual events outdoors along with a host of opportunities to take care of and restore ourselves.
Many of these opportunities are also available throughout the year. Why not try some of these activities and share them with colleagues and friends?
Other activities and resources available throughout the week
- Sussex Connects With Nature
A free, University-wide initiative for teams or individual, allowing staff to track how much time they spend ‘in nature’ during that week. If you’re ‘sporty’, you can connect your Strava and it will automatically register your activities. For all other activities - gardening, cricket, brunch in the garden, bird watching, whatever you like - you can simply log the amount of time you spent doing those things. -
Weekday meditations with the Quaker Chaplain
The University's Quaker Chaplain will be offering meditations online every weekday from 1-1.30pm on Zoom. -
An online noticeboard of resources for staff adjusting to coming out of lockdown and tips for wellbeing in current times, compiled by a member of the Psychology Student Experience team as part of the staff mental health forum
Wellbeing hub at the University of Sussex
A page designed to provide you with the resources to help you look after your own physical and mental wellbeing, and that of your colleagues
E-learning resources
- Understanding Mental Health: Continuum, Culture and Social Media
Enhance your knowledge of mental health and mental illness and develop your understanding of the mental health continuum - Managing Mental Health and Stress
Supporting your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak - Maintaining a Mindful Life
Learn how to apply mindfulness techniques, so you can improve your communication, relationships and emotional health