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Students get the message on mental health and wellbeing
With World Mental Health Day approaching (Sunday 10 October
2004), the Health Promotion Agency (HPA) and NUS-USI have
joined forces for the second year running to promote a publication
specifically to support students through the transition from
school to college or university.
The resource, Mind
your Head: tools for healthy minds in healthy bodies, will be distributed to almost
30,000 students
during Freshers’ Week and is provided as a form of
support for young people during the time they spend in further
education.
Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the
HPA, said: “Going
into further education from school can be a worrying and
stressful experience and this information is a great way
of getting key health messages direct to new and existing
students. Mind your Head is a resource which shows students
how they can actively do something positive to protect and
promote their own mental and emotional wellbeing on campus.
The booklet is packed with information about relaxation techniques,
physical activity, nutrition and studying as well as many
useful contact numbers.
“This year World Mental Health Day focuses on the relationship
between physical and mental health. The power of the connection
between the mind and the body should not be underestimated.
By using simple methods of relaxation such as some form
of physical activity, we can actively protect our mental
health and promote our self esteem.
Damien Kavanagh, NUS-USI Convenor said: “Students
need to be aware that stress is part and parcel of college
life. It is normal and it can be managed effectively. Research
shows that one in four students will suffer from stress at
some point in their academic career. We hope that this publication
will show students how to recognise the symptoms of stress
and how to cope with it. Unfortunately the record number
of students now seeking help with mental health problems
has highlighted the need for this information."
Mind
your Head is accompanied by a guide for student advisers,
tutors and practitioners with advice on how they can help
young people to protect their mental and emotional wellbeing.
The pack will be distributed in mid October
to all Northern Ireland universities and large further
education colleges
at stalls set up in the Students’ Unions.
END
Notes
to editors
- World
Mental Health Day takes place on Sunday 10 October 2004.
The theme of the day is the relationship between physical
and mental health.
- NUS-USI
is the umbrella body for students’ unions in
Northern Ireland and provides services to over 185,000
students.
- The
HPA has also produced a postcard promoting safer sex
through the use of condoms and this will be included
in the Freshers’ packs.
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