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Mental Health Mates Walk

10th October | 1-2pm | Meet at Hazlerigg/Rutland Fountain

‘Mental Health Mates’ is a national network of peer support groups, who meet regularly to walk and talk without fear or judgement.

Loughborough University will be the very first university to hold a Mental Health Mates walk for both staff and students, so we’d love as many of you as possible to join us and get some fresh air and light exercise in the process.

People do not have to have a diagnosed mental health issue to join the walks. Meet-ups are based around walking because walking and talking helps us relax, and exercise is also great for mental health.

‘Being a Bloke’ – Exploring Men’s Mental Heatlh

9-10am and 4-5pm | 2.11, Bridgeman Building and then 1.01, Rutland Building

Growing up as a man, you may have heard phrases such as ‘get a grip’, ‘stop acting like a girl’, ‘boys don’t cry’, and ‘toughen up!’ These are all signals that men should not be allowed to express emotions that they are not in control of, equating to weakness and a loss of masculinity.

But where does this all stem from? And what can we do to fight back? This short, informal workshop will explore men’s mental health through a series of short films and by sharing a variety of experiences.   

Please note the 9am-10am session will take place in Room 2.11 (Bridgeman Building) and the 4pm-5pm session will take place in Room 1.01, Rutland Building. There are 16 places available on each session. Booking is required. Please email od@lboro.ac.uk to register your place.

Alex da Silva: My journey from a dying addict to a TEDx speaker, helping to change the world

10-11am and 12:30-1:30pm | Room 1, LSU

Alex was born in Brazil, where he began his life in a deprived area before moving to the UK aged 11, unable to speak any English. He experienced a strained relationship with his mother and grew up believing his father had died. Throughout his childhood he endured abuse, bullying and anxiety, feeling like he was never good enough.

Alex went on to become a successful professional but struggled with years of mental health and addiction issues, and at his lowest points, he tried to take his own life.

In this session, Alex will talk through his journey from being at rock bottom to the powerful changes in his mindset and inner strength that got him to where he is now.

This event is free to attend but will require booking. To book your place at 10am click here, and for 12:30pm here.

Creative LEGO® Play

10am-12pm | CC.0.29a, James France

This interactive workshop will use Lego® bricks combined with the Lego® Serious Play® Methodology to enable you to investigate what you need to support your own well-being. 

This hands-on activity will enable you to gain new perspectives and share experiences in a non-judgmental, non-threatening and playful environment.

Please note booking is required and there are 16 places available. Email od@lboro.ac.uk to register your place.

Free Stress-buster Massages

11am-1pm | CC.0.29a, James France

Massage is one of the most effective remedies for releasing muscle tension, aiding pain and helping people to feel more relaxed.

Loughborough University’s Physiotherapy Clinic will be offering free, 15-minute stress-buster massages to staff members as part of World Mental Health Day. Please note a consent form will be required. The event is free to attend and requires booking. Email od@lboro.ac.uk to book a session.

Matt Jones: Misadventures in time and space – a writer’s journey through addiction and depression

11:15am-12:15pm and 2:45-3:45pm | Room 1, LSU

Leicestershire native Matt Jones is a television writer and producer. He produced Shameless for its first four seasons and has written for Doctor Who, Torchwood, Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, Mr Selfridge, Dirk Gently and The Split.

On World Mental Health Day, Matt will talk to staff and students candidly and openly about his experience with addiction and depression, and the impact they’ve had on his career. There will be a short Q&A at the end of the session. To book your place at 11:15 click here, and for 2:45pm here. This event is free to attend.

Positive Thinking Session

12-12:45pm | 2.11, Bridgeman Building

This Positive Thinking session aims to help you improve your decision-making, manage your thoughts and increase your concentration levels, so that you can feel more in control of your responses. This event is free to attend, please email od@lboro.ac.uk to register your place.

Creative Wellbeing Area

1-3pm | James France Atrium

Drop-in to our wellbeing area for World Mental Health Day, where you can try out new activities, connect with others and get creative.

Screening of ‘The Stranger on the Bridge’ followed by ‘Suicide: Spotting the Signs’ session

2-3:30pm | 1.01, Rutland Building

Mental health campaigner Jonny Benjamin has personally endorsed this film screening, which tells his moving story.

Having been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder Jonny stood on London’s Waterloo Bridge in January 2008 and was prepared to take his own life. That was until a stranger walking across the bridge saw him and talked Jonny down from the edge. Jonny was taken to hospital and didn’t see the stranger again but was determined to find him and thank him for what he did.

This film captures every step of Jonny’s remarkable journey including the phenomenon of the campaign, the many leads and ‘Mikes’ that came forward and ultimately his successful reunion with the man that saved his life.

Everything changed for Jonny after that day. He has become a mental health campaigner who in his own right has helped transform the lives of many other people around the world through his work. Emotional, heart-warming and thought-provoking, this is a film about a simple human interaction and how one man’s kind gesture six years ago has had a huge butterfly effect beyond what anyone could ever have imagined.

The event is free but requires booking, please email od@lboro.ac.uk to book your place.

Yoga Sessions

2:30-3:30pm | Holywell Fitness Centre

The Sports Development Centre will be offering two free yoga sessions for staff members as part of World Mental Health Day.

Research suggests yoga can benefit your mental health in a variety of ways, by relieving stress, providing relaxation, and also improving self-confidence. This is free to attend and doesn’t require booking.

Pub Quiz

5-6:30pm | JCs, LSU

The University will be hosting a Pub Quiz open to both staff and students. It will be a 5pm meet for a 5:30pm start.

If teams would like to reserve a table in advance, please contact George Etherington by emailing G.Etherington2@lboro.ac.uk and including the number of team members. The quiz is £2 per person.

For more information on World Mental Health Day at Loughborough University, click here.