Cardiff University launches new Mental Health Campaign

The “What’s on your mind? #Lets Share” campaign is a movement aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues at Cardiff University.

Students and staffs at Cardiff University were being encouraged to talk about their experience of mental health issues thanks to an innovative new campaign.

Cardiff University organised a campaign called “What’s on your mind? #Lets Share” to discuss difficulties faced at University. The event took place at the VJ Gallery of the Main Building as 1 February was National Time to Talk Day, aimed at bringing people together to break the silence that often surrounds issues of mental health.

“What I am pleased about is the action plan. It is not just about the students and staff in the university. It’s for everybody living and working here in Cardiff,” said Jo Pinder, a counsellor from the Health and Wellbeing Service.

The event addressed the topics of encouraging people to speak about their experiences with mental health issues, accessing support and recognising the need to acknowledge the effects of the language used regarding mental health.

Mental health is a topic of stigma, meaning it is linked to discrimination and hate. The campaign focused on challenging stigmatising attitudes.

People feel devalued and fearful because of the negative attitude society holds towards them. As a result, people struggling with these challenges may not get the help they need for fear that they will face discrimination.

“Too many people with mental health problems are made to feel isolated, worthless and ashamed. People coping with mental illness have a lot more to deal with than just the disorder itself,” says a volunteer for the campaign.

The activity was in co-operation with the Time to change association, which is a growing number of people working to change how we all think and act about mental health. Since its inception in 2007, the movement has raised awareness to improve the attitudes of more than 4.1 million adults towards issues of mental health.

There is also a declaration signed by Cardiff Students’ Students’ Union in 2014, saying that as an organisation, Cardiff University is dedicated to combating mental health stigma and discrimination.  A group of volunteers meet regularly to discuss the culture of prejudice and ignorance surrounding mental health and considers possible solutions to the issues facing the student population.

There will also be several health and well-being events running throughout the following week, such as workshops to help people develop self confidence, and relaxing yoga classes to reduce anxiety.