Taylor Mortimer: Third year Health Promotion student and 2017 Mental Health and Wellbeing Student Ambassador.
Western Sydney University will be celebrating Australian and New Zealand University Mental Health Day [ANZUMHD] from 26th April to 4th May. Now in its second year at Western, ANZUMHD is based on a popular student-centred mental health and wellbeing campaign developed by the Student Minds organisation in the UK, and is promoted by universities nationally.
With approximately one in five Australians experiencing a mental illness each year, and one in four young Australians aged between 16-24 currently have a mental health condition[1], ANZUMHD aims to take whole of university approach to promoting healthy campuses.
In addition to encouraging mental wellbeing , this years’ theme is Get Active for Mental Health, emphasises the strong relationship between physical health and mental health.
As a Mental Health and Wellbeing Student Ambassador, I with my fellow Student Ambassadors, under the supervision of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Promotion Team, are partnering with Third-Year Western Sydney University Therapeutic Recreation Students, Food Services, Campus Life, Gym Services and Headspace to deliver Wellbeing Zones across six campuses. The events will create an opportunity to participate in fun, social, and healthy activities that boost campus health and connect you with your campus and peers. Come and support your peers, and be supported by your peers!
Wellbeing zones will include:
- Healthy Headspace Hunt: get a group together and complete as many of the activities as possible; go in the draw to win one of three group prizes.
- Cooking demonstrations: learn how to cook some great, healthy meals, with free samples delivered straight to you in the Wellbeing Zone.
- Chocolate Mindfulness: grab a chocolate and learn how to reconnect with yourself through mindful practice.
- Get Active: Campus Life Officers will be hosting fun activities on the day to get you moving
- Be Mindful: activities developed by Third Year Therapeutic Recreation students including frisbee golf and art therapy.
Along with these great activities, Gym Services are offering two weeks of FREE access gyms on Bankstown, Penrith and Hawkesbury campuses, with additional FREE two-week outdoor activities programs will be held on-campus for those campuses who do not have a campus gym on site.
See below for dates and locations to come and get involved:
- Wednesday 26th April: Parramatta South, Lawn outside the Hub (EG)
- Thursday 27th April: Hawkesbury, Stable Square (K4)
- Monday 1st May: Campbelltown, Ceremonial Lawn (outside B4)
- Tuesday 2nd May: Parramatta CBD, Level 1
- Wednesday 3rd May: Kingswood, Front lawn in front of Library
- Thursday 4th May: Bankstown, Outside Building 1
All activities are FREE to participate in, and a number of prizes will be available to those who participate on the day. Don’t forget to hashtag #WesternUMHD to spread the word about the fantastic events taking place on your campus on the day!
We want to support all our peers, so we will be organising Outreach Packs for clinical schools and our smaller campuses, including resources and chocolates mindfulness kits. These will be delivered soon!
University Mental Health Day @ Western is brought to you by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Student Ambassadors and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Promotions Team, in partnership with Headspace, Campus Life, Food Services, and Gym Services.
The team would also like to thank past MHWb Student Ambassadors, Harsan (Haas) Kanagaretnam, Japname (Jana) Kang and Meera Thangarajah for their efforts in planning for these events and for all their assistance in planning a student led event at WSU.
For more information on University Mental Health Day @ Western join the MHWb Facebook Group – Western Sydney UMHWB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WesternSydneyUMHWb
If you have concerns about your mental health or wellbeing or the wellbeing of another student, please contact Student Support Services by calling 02 9852 5199 or sending an email to counselling@westernsydney.edu.au
To find out more about the Uni’s Counselling Service, visit: http://westernsydney.edu.au/counselling
For more information about the Mental Health and Wellbeing Student Ambassador Program, contact Rowena Saheb, Mental Health and Wellbeing Promotions Coordinator: R.Saheb@westernsydney.edu.au or Erin Rutherford, Mental Health and Wellbeing Promotions Support Officer: E.Rutherford@westernsydney.edu.au
[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing
