Oxford Brookes University is proud to be part of the annual celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week, providing an opportunity to promote, celebrate and raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing.
Mental Health Awareness Week
9 to 15 May 2022
This year the theme for the week is loneliness. Across the country, people will be reflecting on loneliness and how it impacts our mental health. Long-term loneliness is closely linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
Mark Rowland Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said:
“We hope this year’s theme of loneliness will strike a chord with many of us who felt lonely and struggled throughout the Covid pandemic.
“Millions of us experience loneliness from time to time. We know that some people are at higher risk of experiencing loneliness and the evidence shows the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems.”
The Staff Diversity Networks and the Multifaith Chaplaincy have created a series of activities for staff and students to take part in through the week.
Introduction to Meditation
Monday 9 May, 11.30am - 12.00 noon in the Garden Room, Buckley Building, Headington Campus
Join the Multifaith Chaplaincy for an introduction to meditation - a time of silent breathing meditation to calm mind and body. No registration required, just turn up or contact chaplaincy@brookes.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Enhancing Self-Awareness Workshop
Monday 9 May, 1.00 - 2.00pm online
Whether it be understanding our mental health, developing our emotional intelligence or tapping into our innate wisdom; self-awareness, self-knowledge and introspection are crucial to how we experience our lives. It’s about understanding our needs, challenges, desires, our habits, and all the other things that make us who we are, that make us unique.
This session is with Char Bailey (she/her) from WE CREATE SPACE and has been orginsed by the staff diversity networks. All staff are welcome.
LGBTQ+ Staff Forum virtual coffee break
Wednesday 11 May, 11.00 - 11.30am online
A weekly online get together for members of the LGBTQ+ Staff Forum. The forum welcomes LGBTQ+ staff and allies.
If you'd like to join the LGBTQ+ Staff Forum, contact jstuart@brookes.ac.uk.
Allyship with Disabled People Workshop
Thursday 12 May, 12.00 noon - 1.30pm online
This interactive session will support colleagues who want to promote disability inclusion and be better allies. The workshop will provide a safe and informal space to increase awareness and confidence and encourage proactivity as allies for accessibility and disability inclusion.
WE CREATE SPACE Queer Leadership Summit 2022
Friday 13 May, 9.00am - 6.30pm online
Open to members of the LGBTQ+ Staff Forum. Bringing LGBTQ+ leaders together through a dynamic schedule of wellbeing workshops, self-empowerment sessions and inspiring speaker panels. Through shared experience, story-telling and personal discovery, the agenda has been design to inspire and empower; equipping participants with the necessary tools, knowledge and passion they need to collectively create change within their own communities and organisations.
If you'd like to join the LGBTQ+ Staff Forum or for more information, contact jstuart@brookes.ac.uk.
Crafternoon Crochet Workshop
Friday 13 May, 2.00 - 4.00pm in the Garden Room, Buckley Building, Headington Campus
Get together with students and staff and spend an afternoon crocheting over a chat. A wellbeing session being run by the Multifaith Chaplaincy. No registration required, just turn up or contact chaplaincy@brookes.ac.uk if you have any questions.
a ball of blue and white crochet yarn sitting at the ends of different coloured crochet hooks arranged in a fan shape. Blurred in the background is a crocheted item.
Beyond Mental Health Awareness Week: Tackle stress with a new mindset
Thursday 19 May, 9.30 - 10.30am online
Stress is a part of life that cannot be avoided. However, developing the right mindset about stress can help you better manage stress and improve your wellbeing. This short but interactive session challenges you to shift your stress mindset to enable you to take a more positive and empowered approach.
A webinar from the Oxford Centre for Academic Enhancement and Development.
