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Mental health matters at Bucks New University

Mental health matters at Bucks New University

Buckinghamshire New University and Bucks Students’ Union signed the Time to Change pledge in 2016 to demonstrate a joint commitment to tackling the stigma and discrimination often faced by people with mental health issues.
 

Along with its Students' Union, Multi-Faith Chaplaincy, and Gateway Gym, the University is holding events at its High Wycombe and Uxbridge campuses on Thursday 7 October to mark Time to Talk Day, organised by Time to Change.
 

The events will be in the Study Lounge at the back of Beats café at High Wycombe from 10am-12pm and at the rear of Pulse café in Uxbridge from 1pm-3pm. Staff and students will be able to find out about the support available at the University and through organisations including Samaritans and Mind.

 

Anyone attending will also be able to get a closer look and guidance on signing up to TogetherAll, a resource for emotional support and wellbeing which has free access to an online library of self-help materials, guided group courses and a supportive, anonymous peer community. Support is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
 

Tai Chi taster sessions, lasting 20mins and led by Ana Mazuran, Group Exercise Coordinator, take place at 12pm in room E1.01 at the High Wycombe Campus and at 1.30pm in room 1.10 at the Uxbridge Campus at 1.30pm. 
 

The University offers a wide range of mental health support to students.
 

Disability Service Manager Maureen O'Brien said the University supports students to minimise any obstacles to their academic success and encourage independent learning.
 

She said: "Mental health issues may not always be visible but pose their own challenges.

 

"We want to enhance our students' overall experience by creating a level playing field with other students and providing guidance and signposting to sources of further advice.”

 

The University's Disability Service liaises with teaching and academic staff to support students by providing tailored internal reasonable adjustments. These may include additional time in exams and finding the most appropriate placement opportunities.
 

The Disability Service also guides students through the process of applying for Disabled Students Allowances to help fund the cost of specialist equipment, including laptops, recording software, or the provision of non-medical human support such as specialist mentors, tutors for specific learning difficulties, note-takers and scribes for exams.
 

Additionally, the service also supports students on placements and those completing their programmes of study by distance learning, with screening provided for students who think they may be dyslexic.

 

A counselling service for students, which can be accessed in person, by telephone, email and text, is provided by the University.
 

The Senior Residents in the University's accommodation sites are an important point of contact for students and are provided with specific first aid and mental health awareness training to provide immediate support, such as helping someone cope with a panic attack.
 

 

The University's staff are also given the opportunity to declare mental health issues and discuss the reasonable adjustments that can be made to help them in the workplace. Mental health training is part of the disability training for new members of staff to help build awareness of and understanding about mental health.

 

Bucks Students' Union’s aim for the year is to break any stigma around mental health at Bucks. works with the University to promote mental health activities including mental health awareness training, free massages, and theatre workshops.
 

Georgia Nosal, Vice President Education and Welfare for Bucks Students' Union, said: "Starting the conversation about mental health isn’t easy. However, with the support and community at Bucks, nothing should stand in the way of opening up and breaking the barriers down around mental health issues.”
 

On World Mental Health Day in October, a ‘Break the Stigma’ campaign (pictured left) took place on the Gateway link bridge at the High Wycombe Campus, supported by Bucks Students' Union and students, with Wycombe Mind.
 

Since signing the Pledge in 2016, the University’s Multi-Faith Chaplaincy has addressed wellbeing and mental health with a number of initiatives, working with the University's Counselling Service and Disability teams.
 

Reverend Jenny Ellis, Coordinating Chaplain, said initiatives had included the introduction of Danish-style 'hygge cafes' and a 'Spring celebration café', giving focal points for staff and students to gather.
 

The Chaplaincy is also present at the start of every exam in High Wycombe and Uxbridge, providing 'stress busters', spare pens, and mints, offering students the opportunity for prayer, giving an extra pair of hands to exam staff to help create a calm atmosphere, and help if a student exits an exam in distress.

 

The Chaplaincy has ensured it is represented at training days on autism, mental health, dementia and mental health first aid, as well as introducing a wellbeing audit.

 

Rev Ellis said the Chaplaincy had, additionally, made use of various days in the calendar to 'bring light relief' across the university community, ranging from distributing bubble wrap on Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day to treats for the Nursing staff and students on International Nurses Day.
 

The University holds Wellbeing Days for students and staff, supports mental health related campaigns, including Time for Change, and has become part of the Mindful Employer network.
 

Find out about support at Bucks New University at bucks.ac.uk/students/health-and-wellbeing.

 

Here are useful contacts for support:

Bucks Students’ Union Advice Centre: suadvice@bucks.ac.uk

Counselling Service: counselling@bucks.ac.uk

Disability Service: disability.service@bucks.ac.uk

Buckinghamshire Mind: info@bucksmind.org.uk

Hillingdon Samaritans: jo@samaritans.org.uk