SUPPORTING STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH Sarah Moffat, Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA)

OUTLINE What is mental health? Common issues for students How can you support someone? Further support

WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH? Everyone has mental health Mental health is not a binary, it is a spectrum Mental health is fluid, & can change over time

MENTAL HEALTH IS A SPECTRUM optimal mental wellbeing minimal mental wellbeing minimal mental illness maximum mental illness People can have a mental illness, but be mentally well if they have successful coping strategies & support. Equally, people without a mental illness can have very poor wellbeing if they face challenging circumstances and do not have coping strategies in place.

COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AMONG STUDENTS Stress – Almost all students will experience some form of stress at University, usually triggered by academic pressure or personal circumstances Anxiety – While it’s normal to be nervous in stressful situations, people with Anxiety often feel overly anxious under pressure (sometimes to the point of panic attacks) or experience low-level anxiety all the time, regardless of the situation. Depression – Again, while it’s normally to sometimes feel down, these feelings are categorised as Depression when they continue for over two weeks, recur regularly (e.g. once a month), or have significant negative impact on an individual’s quality of life.

SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY Feelings of panic, fear or uneasiness Problems sleeping Catastrophic Thinking (obsessing over the worst case scenario) Heart palpitations Difficulty concentrating Panic attacks

HOW TO SUPPORT SOMEONE THROUGH A PANIC ATTACK 1.Find a quiet space away from people 2.Encourage them to take slow, deep breaths 3.Reassure them they will be ok 4.Provide an activity to redirect energy

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION Exhaustion and lack of energy Problems sleeping Difficulty concentrating Feelings of hopelessness Loss of interest in activities which used to bring joy

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT SOMEONE A – Assess for risk L – Listen non-judgementally G – Give reassurance & information E – Encourage appropriate professional help E – Encourage self-help and other support Whether you notice someone is acting differently, or they disclose to you that they are struggling, you can use these five steps to support them.

CREATING A POSITIVE CULTURE AROUND MENTAL HEALTH MODELLING THE WAY Be open & honest about your own mental health Check in regularly – give people the opportunity to discuss how they’re doing Encourage self-care – Especially at stressful times, encourage people to rest & relax Establish support networks – Set up a buddy scheme & encourage people to check in with each other

FURTHER SUPPORT The Advice Place Practical advice & support Main office in Potterrow but smaller office at KB Student Counselling Service In-person & online counselling; opportunity to talk through issues with someone who is neutral Third floor of Library (main office, but smaller offices on other campuses) counselling

FURTHER SUPPORT Mind Information & advice on all mental health related issues Sarah Moffat (EUSA) General question on supporting students or mental health

ANY QUESTIONS?