Mental Health Awareness Week 2024
The theme of this years Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW2024) was ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’. Every year in May, the Mental Health Foundation leads Mental Health Awareness Week – bringing together the UK to focus on getting good mental health.
Millions of people across the UK take part. They include people in further and higher education; private, public and charity sectors; families and individuals.
We wanted to highlight just some of the excellent activities that have taken place in Scotland’s Colleges, Universities and Students’ Associations to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week.
While these activities were part of Mental Health Awareness Week, they are also great examples of engaging students, highlighting support available and promoting Student Mental Health Agreements.
Ayrshire College & Ayrshire College Students’ Association
- Collaborated on a Five part podcast special – Mental Health Minisodes – a MHAW2024 special. They included short podcasts on:
- The challenges of social media and how disconnecting can improve your mental health and wellbeing.
- The impact of cocaine and drug use on mental health.
- The creation and launch of the Ayrshire College Student Mental Health Agreement!
- The ‘Mind Thy Self’ podcast series and information App.
Dumfries & Galloway College & Dumfries & Galloway College Students’ Association
- Running different events throughout the week to celebrate MHAW2024.
- Promotion of free courses offered: Mental Health Awareness; Understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in The Workplace; Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health.
- Sports Hall activities ran all week.
- Supported and participated in The Mental Health Foundation’s ‘Wear It Green day‘.
Edinburgh College & Edinburgh College Students’ Association
- Mental Health check in stall by ECSA – to get an idea of how students’ mental health is at the moment, and give some resources to help students fit more self-care into their daily routine.
- Launched Edinburgh College’s new Student Mental Health Agreement!
Glasgow Caledonian University & GCU Students’ Association
- Free fitness classes for students offered by the gym throughout MHAW2024.
North East Scotland College & NESCOL Students’ Association
- A range of activities were offered, including Mindful moments at the library.
- Supported and participated in The Mental Health Foundation’s ‘Wear It Green day‘.
University of Edinburgh & Edinburgh University Students’ Association
- Daily active events – with the theme of ‘moments for movement’, the Sport & Exercise Active Lives team, in partnership with the Wellbeing Service offered a range of free and fun opportunities for students and staff to be active across the campus.
University of Strathclyde & Strath Union
- Hosted a breakfast event open to all university staff which covered mental health awareness, sleep and mental health, and active health.
West Lothian College & Students’ Association
- A week of activities for people to get involved in.
- Shared lots of great information on their social media channels for looking after your mental health.
