Final-year students Ellie Freeman, studying BA (Hons) Graphic Design, and Laura Bailey, studying BSc (Hons) Police Studies with Criminological Psychology, are on a mission to foster positive mental wellbeing.
 

Ellie and Laura have spoken about bout the importance of Time to Talk Day, organised by Time to Change, and their aims to continue the conversation on mental health all year round.
 

“Hello, our names are Ellie Freeman and Laura Bailey (pictured). We are students working with Bucks Students’ Union as School Officers for Art, Design and Performance and Aviation and Security.
 

"We are spending our final year aiming to ensure that Bucks is a safe and supportive environment for all students by sharing our knowledge and passion for positive mental wellbeing.
 

"Did you know, one in four students struggle with their mental health whilst at University? This can make day to day tasks difficult and we want everyone’s experience at Bucks to be the best it can be.
 

"The stigma of mental illness is something the Student’s Union, and University as a whole, is trying to fight. On World Mental Health Day in October, a ‘Break the Stigma’ campaign (pictured below, left) took place on the Gateway link bridge at the High Wycombe Campus.
 

"It’s time to talk about mental health. We want Bucks to be a place where everyone has someone to talk to, whether that’s to a friend, a course leader or to the Counselling service at Bucks New University.
 

"This year, the University is taking part in a campaign by Time to Change, a growing social movement working to change the way we all think and act about mental health problems.
 

"It is holding pop-up cafes and awareness raising events at High Wycombe and Uxbridge campuses on Thursday 7 February to mark Time to Talk Day, encouraging us all to talk about mental health.
 

"This year’s Time to Talk Day is all about bringing together the right ingredients to have a conversation about mental health, and there will be tea, coffee, and other refreshments, as well as biscuits, at the pop-up cafes.
 

"Staff and students will be able to find out about the support available at the University and through organisations including Samaritans and Mind, and the events are organised by the University, Multi-Faith Chaplaincy, and Bucks Students' Union.
 

"Bucks signed a Time to Change Pledge in 2016 and is committed to taking action to reduce mental health discrimination and the support it offers can be found at bucks.ac.uk/students/health-and-wellbeing.
 

"Additionally, this week the ninth #BucksStudentWins, a Bucks Students’ Union celebration of small wins throughout the year, was announced, showing we have trained 29 mental health advocates to support members of clubs and societies.
 

"These health advocates are publicised through their club or society, so all members know who they can turn to. Their role is not to give advice but to signpost students to where to best seek help.
 

"We want to encourage students to talk about mental health, without fear, in a safe space.
 

"RepCon, for student course reps, takes place at the High Wycombe campus from 1pm-5pm on 20 February and we will be running a session called ‘The Elephant in the Room’, covering the most common mental health struggles among students and tips on how to support yourself, peers or anyone that may be struggling.
 

"It will be an interactive workshop, with a chance to get to know your fellow reps better and learn together how to best deal with the pressures of University positively. We will be discussing shocking statistics, top tips and motivational messages to help start the conversation.
 

"There will also be a leaflet to take away with information on how to get support for any mental health struggles, both on and off campus. (There’s also a chance to win a prize!)

 

"By speaking about mental health issues, we are helping to break the stereotypes, improve student life and end the stigma of something that affects so many of us.
 

"You don’t have to be an expert to talk about mental health and there are many ways to start the conversation. Whether you come to support the campaign on campus, share a post on social media ,or just ask a friend how they are, make sure you have a conversation about mental health this Time to Talk Day.”