University Mental Health Day
Thursday the 9th of March 2023 is University Mental Health Day which focuses on bringing together the university community to continue making mental health a priority and to create ongoing change to the future of student mental health. Glasgow Caledonian University have a number of events throughout the week to raise awareness of mental health, and the support available for staff and students.
Monday
Free Yoga Session
Yoga is an ancient practice that involves physical poses, concentration, and deep breathing. A regular yoga practice can promote endurance, strength, calmness, flexibility, and well-being. Yoga supports stress management, mental health, mindfulness, and quality sleep.
On Monday the 6th of March there will be a free yoga session for staff and students in the Campus Life Seminar Room 1 on Level 1 of the George Moore Building - next to Visa in the Campus Life Lounge. Our lovely Student Life Team made this video to show you how to find it: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SpMjErtKClo
Please email us if you have any questions: swa@gcu.ac.uk.
Find out more and sign up at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/yoga-class-tickets-325020213207
Tuesday
Student Mental Health Course
Glasgow Caledonian University and GCU Students' Association will be offering a student mental health course: Look After Your Mate. The course is for students who are looking to learn more about supporting others. The session gives the students the skills, knowledge, and confidence to support friends, whilst looking after your own mental health too, and more information about what support is available for GCU students.
This session will take place on Teams, and will run from 1pm until 4pm, with scheduled breaks throughout.
Students who attend will receive a certificate on completing the course. This workshop is also recognized as an activity for the Common Good Award at GCU.
Find out more and sign up at: https://www.gcustudents.co.uk/events/look-after-your-mate-student-mental-health-course-1486
Staff session: Using Wellness Action Plans to support your mental health at work (Glasgow campus)
Tuesday 7 March, 1-2pm
Given the challenges of stress and poor mental health in the workplace, there is a growing demand for innovative and proactive ways of managing our mental health at work. Mind, the mental health charity, have developed a set of Wellness Action Plans. WAPs are a personalised, practical tool we can all use – whether we have a mental health problem or not – to help us identify what keeps us well at work, what causes us to become unwell, and how to address a mental health problem at work.
Wednesday
International Women's Day
Wednesday is International Women's' Day. There will be a number of activities on campus including film showings and a poetry showcase. You can find out more at the GCU IWD 2023 Webpage.
Staff Session: Resilience and mental health at work (Glasgow campus)
Wednesday 8 March, 3-4pm
Individual resilience can be described as adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, or stress; bending but not breaking in the face of adverse experiences; and healthy functioning despite disruption. Join this workshop to discover habits and tools that can help you to monitor your mental health and wellbeing, build resilience, and support your own and your colleagues’ mental health.
Thursday
Wellbeing Fair
GCU will be holding a wellbeing fair in the ground floor of the Sir Alex Ferguson Library across from Relax and Renew. Stalls will include the GCU Wellbeing Team, the First Responder team at GCU, support for Care Experienced and Estranged Students, Nightline, SAMH, Glasgow Council on Alcohol, Carers Trust, and Glasgow HSPC with more to be announced!
Come along between 11am and 1pm and find out more!
Mindfulness Sessions
Evidence shows that engaging in mindfulness practice can help you to learn to be more present, which can lead to more effective work and study, healthier relationships, and a happier, calmer mind. The GCU wellbeing team will be hosting a mindfulness session on Thursday lunchtimes between 12noon and 1pm in the Campus Life Seminar Room 1. Sign up isn't required but you can register at the Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/weekly-mindfulness-drop-in-tickets-431597629127
Friday
Art Society Henna Event
For university mental health day, the Art Society is hosting a free henna art event. Get the chance to do henna on your own hands, with your friends, or get it done for free. On the day, you will also have the opportunity to sign up to become a student member of the society.
Sign up at the GCU Students' Association webpage: https://www.gcustudents.co.uk/groups/art-society-5b30/events/henna-art-event
Staff session: Using Wellness Action Plans to support your mental health at work (online)
Friday 10 March, 12-1pm
Given the challenges of stress and poor mental health in the workplace, there is a growing demand for innovative and proactive ways of managing our mental health at work. Mind, the mental health charity, have developed a set of Wellness Action Plans. WAPs are a personalised, practical tool we can all use – whether we have a mental health problem or not – to help us identify what keeps us well at work, what causes us to become unwell, and how to address a mental health problem at work. This session will take place on Teams.
Managing workload to support your mental health at work (Online)
Friday 10 March, 1-2pm
Given the challenges of stress and poor mental health in the workplace, there is a growing demand for innovative and proactive ways of managing our mental health at work. Join this workshop to discuss the signs of burnout, discover habits and tools that can help you to manage your workload, and find ways to contribute to a mentally healthy workplace.