Thursday 4^th March is University Mental Health Day (UMHD), a day that aims to bring together the student community to make mental health a national university-wide priority and create ongoing year-round change to the future of student mental health.

Bandy, Welfare Officer, has been working hard this year to open up conversations on mental health through her ongoing campaign ‘Let’s Talk Mental Health.’

UMHD falls during Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) (1-7 March), and we will be working with Konstantina, Disabled Students’ Officer, on raising awareness of eating disorders through research and conversation.

During the week of UMHD and EDAW, we will be utilising Bandy’s campaign and Konstantina’s research to provide resources, content and events to open up conversations surrounding student mental health and eating disorders.

What’s going on?

Monday 1^st March

Let’s Talk Mental Health – Episode 7 – Body Image

Bandy has recorded a new episode of Let’s Talk Mental Health discussing all things body image, including body positivity, body neutrality, weight fluctuations during COVID and intuitive eating. Keep an eye on our social media channels on Monday evening for the episode.

View the full series so far on our YouTube channel.

Tuesday 2^nd March

We will be sharing interesting statistics and facts surrounding eating disorders on our Instagram and Facebook pages to raise awareness, utilising the following sources: Priory Group, NHS, National Centre for Eating Disorders.

Wednesday 3^rd March

Eating Disorder Awareness Keynote Speakers, 1 - 2pm, Online

Konstantina has invited two exciting guest speakers to discuss their experiences on how they manage their eating disorders. This virtual event aims to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by people with eating disorders. For more information, register for free via Eventbrite.

Thursday 4^th March

Sport in Mind Yoga session, 1-2pm, Online

UoR Sport in Mind are a voluntary University of Reading society who work with the Sport in Mind charity to improve the lives of people experience mental health problems through sport and exercise. They will be running a free online yoga session for UMHD. Visit their Facebook event to find out more.

Mental Health Conference with Open Mind Society, 6-7:45pm, Online

Open Mind Society and Bandy have invited three guest speakers to talk about a range of topics relating to mental health and wellbeing. Speakers include a Reading alumni and mental health advocate, a spokesperson from a mental health charity in Reading, and a CBT Therapist. For more information, register for free via Eventbrite.

Friday 5^th March

More Than A Grad Podcast: Eating Disorders

Rachel and Bandy speak to two special guests about the serious topic of eating disorders (ED): Dr Paul Jenkins a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in ED and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) discusses the main symptoms, treatments and misconceptions of this mental illness; and Sophie, a recent graduate who has appeared on BBC news and worked for Rethink a mental health charity, speaks about her own lived experience of Anorexia Nervosa throughout University.

The podcast will launch on RUSU’s Spotify on Friday.

Keep an eye on our social channels throughout the week for information and content surrounding mental health awareness. If you need support, visit the RUSU Welfare Directory for a comprehensive list of resources and contacts.