25 Universities Pledge To Promote Mental Wealth In 2012
13 Jan 2012 | Mental Wealth UK
A mental health campaign launched last October has led to the
creation of student-led advocacy groups at 25 universities. The
campaign was in response to a report highlighting the threats to
student wellbeing and the groups will work to promote good mental
health and wellbeing on their campuses throughout 2012.
The national 25by2012 campaign was launched by Mental Wealth
UK, with the aim of making university campuses, healthier,
happier places for students to live and study, by encouraging
student-led activism. The campaign has been supported by national
organisations such as Action for Happiness, Young
Minds, and the £20m anti-stigma project, Time to
Change, as well as dozens of universities.
Mental Wealth UK is a non-profit body that was setup to
support student-led mental health and wellbeing advocacy. Edward
Pinkney, who founded Mental Wealth UK after launching a student
wellbeing society at the University of Leeds in 2008, said, "More
and more students are stepping forward to take leadership roles at
their universities. The Royal College of Psychiatrists' new report
highlights the threats to student mental health and wellbeing, and
with university resources stretched, we believe that student-led
initiatives are going to play an increasingly important role in
tackling these challenges."
Sally Wood, the coordinator for Nightline, added, "With student mental health
threatened, we think that this campaign is coming at exactly the
right time. We're delighted to support the 25by2012 campaign and
the vital work that Mental Wealth UK is doing in our student
communities".
The campaign and the successes of each of the groups will be
celebrated at an event in Leeds on 28 January. This will be an
opportunity for the groups to reflect upon 2011, and also to look
ahead at the campaigns and events that are in store for 2012. An
award sponsored by the Matthew Elvidge Trust will be recognising
notable contributions to campus mental health by groups.
The groups have been formed at universities across the UK,
including St Andrews, Southampton, Swansea, and Sunderland. Each of
them aims to 'bring mental health out of the shadows' by
challenging discrimination, raising awareness, and providing
students with opportunities for training and skill-building. Groups
in Manchester and Cardiff were recognised at the 2011 national NUS awards, with one of the
leading members of the Manchester group, Tayaba Nicholson, being
awarded NUS Student of the Year for her campaigning.
Harriet Wickson, a 3rd year psychology student and leader
of the 'Mental Wealth Matters' Society at Sheffield University
stated: "We are really excited about being a part of Mental Wealth
UK and the opportunities it will bring. We already have a growing
committee and there are a lot of students showing a keen interest
in getting involved to raise awareness and reduce the stigma
surrounding mental health issues. The Society is looking forward to
the year ahead and carrying out fun and exciting campaigns and
fundraising events with the help of our wonderful Mental Health
Matters Elephant."
The '25by2012' campaign was introduced following a report released by the Royal College of
Psychiatrists published in September, which suggested that
"social changes such as the withdrawal of financial support, higher
rates of family breakdown and, more recently, economic recession
all have an impact on the mental health and well-being of students.
As such, many counsellors and mental health advisors in
universities are reporting increased demand from students for their
services." The report highlighted the "pressing need" for more
mental health promotion on campuses.
About Mental Wealth UK
Mental Wealth UK is a student organisation committed to
promoting positive wellbeing on university campuses. The
organisation provides inspiration and support to a network of
student Mental Wealth groups. It is currently the only national
organisation dedicated to the mental health and wellbeing of
university students. The organisation won an Unltd Award for Social
Entrepreneurship in 2010
Mental Wealth UK has been supported by Action for
Happiness, Time to Change, The
Matthew Elvidge Trust, The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, Nightline and Leeds
Metropolitan University, amongst others.
For more information visit www.mentalwealthuk.com or
contact Edward Pinkney
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