Nearly 50% of young people enter higher education, with approximately 1 in 4 reporting having a diagnosed Mental Health Issue whilst at university.
Nearly 50% of young people enter higher education, with approximately 1 in 4 reporting having a diagnosed Mental Health Issue whilst at university. Stigmas and discrimination can sometimes make someone’s mental health worse, delay or stop them from getting support and help. (Student Minds, 2024; Mental Health Foundation, 2024)
- With lifestyle pressure:
- 28% considered withdrawing
- 60% financial situations having a negative effect on wellbeing
- 56% cut back on socialising
- 1 in 4 students don’t know where to get Mental Health Support
To support students, the Students’ Union offers the Advice Centre. This service is free for students to use to get free confidential advice, guidance, and support. They can get support on issues/concerns relating to academic, accommodation, finance, legal, personal and policies. They offer in person, telephone, and online meets.
Buckinghamshire New University is a part of the University Mental Health Charter (UMHC). This is a scheme that universities are a part of to support student mental health and ensure they can get the support they need.
- The services BNU offer that support this are:
- Counselling
- Student Hub
- Inclusion and Disability
What is wellbeing?
According to the Oxford dictionary, wellbeing is “The state of being comfortable, healthy or happy”.
But what is wellbeing to you?
Is it health? Satisfaction? Purpose? Enjoyment? Is it going for a run each morning? Listening to your favourite songs on repeat?
There are many aspects that make up an individual’s wellbeing. “It is important to see the whole person, not just a part” (Mental Health Foundation, 2024).
Wellbeing differs for each individual because we all have different experiences. It’s important to identify the factors of your life that are important and affect you. This is inclusive of internal (e.g. optimism, self-esteem, resilience, etc.) and external factors (e.g. social, income etc.). You will have different strategies, techniques, likes and dislikes that work for you. You’re wellbeing will not be an exact copy of someone else’s, so it is important for you to find what work for you. Once you have these identified, you can spend time practicing and applying them to support your own wellbeing. (Mind, 2024)
“Find your Little Big Thing” – find something that may be simple to others but is massive to and importantly for you! This is a focus on finding something that brings you a sense of enjoyment, relaxation, and meaningfulness. This could be something like cooking, building Lego, reading, going for a run/walk, etc. This is a task for YOU!
As this campaign suggests, we are Kitting Out Wellbeing.
From Wednesday 18th December 2024 you can collect a wellbeing kit from the Students Union office at any of the campuses (Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Uxbridge). You can also email bethany.jackson@bnu.ac.uk or union@bnu.ac.uk about box. These are offered on a first come, first serve basis. These kits are filled with self-help techniques and signposting to services for support. The boxes themselves are also a technique as you can decorate this kit to make it yours. You can draw, doddle and design these boxes so that this box is completely yours. You can also personalise the kit by adding in your own items after collecting a box from the SU.
These boxes were designed to support wellbeing using a variety of self-help techniques and signposting. Please reach out if you need support.
It’s okay not be okay all the time, and you can always reach out if you’d like support.
You can contact:
You can also check out the following online resources:
With the Winter Break fast approaching it is important to remember that you are not alone. You can see the campuses open times via the university website (https://www.bucks.ac.uk/services-open-our-students). Here there is also contact information for services, as well as the operating over the break. You can also use the Student Space platform. This is an online space run by Student Minds, which helps students find support 24/7. This can be mental health, relationships, or studies (among others). Check out their website for more information (https://studentspace.org.uk/).