MHA – An RGU Perspective Steven Mills – President Education and Welfare Terry Knight – Accommodation Welfare Manager

Aim “RGU is committed to promoting positive outcomes by proactively raising awareness of Mental Health Wellbeing and promoting supportive strategies to maximise the student experience” Explain how the group got started, interested parties etc.

Goals Raise Awareness of Mental Health Wellbeing Improving understanding of Mental Health Encourage early intervention Promote open dialogue Reduce stigma Signposting (Internal/External services) Create University wide understanding that Mental Health Wellbeing could affect anyone of us and that we all share responsibility to promote positive outcomes Keeping the Goals Simple and Achievable to fit the services within the University/Union and what’s available locally

MHA Official Launch Sign off by the Principal and green light to go.

Encouraging Early Intervention Through Training Targeting training for key staff in Union and University for SMHFA. Now compulsory for Residence Assistants. Health Faculty looking to put on ASIST training in future

Promoting Open Dialogue and Reducing Stigma In Information Agreement at meetings that peer to peer awareness would have a bigger impact on student body. Union take on responsibility for raising awareness of MH with humour behind the serious message.

Raising Awareness Through Events MHA Union driven offensive to bring together Healthy Body/Healthy Mind, Healthy University et al. initiatives for students wellbeing

Improving understanding of Mental Health Through Events Networking with local and National services Breathing Space, SeeMe, Samaritans, Addaction, ADP etc. to keep the message prominent

Raising Awareness Through Events Never missing an opportunity to get out there

Signposting (Internal/External services) Through Events Bringing local services to the heart of RGU students

promoting supportive strategies to maximise the student experience Targeting the Academic Calendar to promote events and support students

Promote open dialogue and Reduce stigma The First Mental Health Society in NUS

Raising Awareness Brings Rewards NUS Award Society Team of the Year, some of the campaigns include the MHA work.

And the work goes on….