This year for World Mental Health Day, we want to recognise the challenges our staff and students have faced over the last year, and the implications this may have had on their mental wellbeing. 

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have all had no choice but to adapt to new ways of working and learning, whilst managing the hurdles that lockdowns brought to ourselves, our friends, and our family. Some of you may have experienced feelings of grief, loneliness and concern.  

Equally, the rollout of vaccines and easing of restrictions has given many of us a mixture of hope, uncertainty, joy and anxiety for the future. 

In addition, significant national and worldwide events, as well as professional and personal matters can also impact our day-to-day wellbeing. 

Recent statistics reveal that three out of every five employees experience mental health issues because of work, which can cost UK employers up to £42 billion a year due to reasons including sickness absence and replacing staff who leave an organisation due to their mental health. 

Loughborough University prioritises the wellbeing of its staff and students, and below we have listed some of our support services we encourage the University community to use if they feel they need to.  
 
Staff support: 

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – confidential, unlimited support on any matter that might be of concern to you which is available to access 24/7.  
• My Healthy Advantage app – complementing the EAP, the app provides an enhanced set of wellbeing tools and engaging features to help the user’s mental and physical health. 
• Togetherall – designed to help people get support to take control of their wellbeing and feel better. It provides 24/7 peer-to-peer and professional support (from experienced clinicians who are always online), plus a range of courses and tools to help people self-manage their wellbeing. 

• Chaplaincy – a place where staff are welcomed to reflect, explore and express faith and spirituality. It is a place to pray, to meditate and to meet others. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 
• The Yellow Book – an online resource with various tools and techniques to help combat stress in written and audio format. The e-book features poems, songs, readings and artwork to help with your mental wellbeing (sign-in required). 
• Mental Health First Aiders – Loughborough staff MHFAiders are trained to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis – and can potentially avert a crisis from happening. They can do this by recognising warning signs, and they have the skills and confidence to approach and support someone experiencing poor mental health. 

More information can be found on the Staff Wellbeing pages.  

Student support: 

• Student Services – providing emotional and wellbeing support as well as advice on any financial or accommodation concerns you might have. 
• The LU Wellbeing app – a digital toolkit using a holistic approach to positively influence your wellbeing, incorporating mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) amongst many other techniques.  
• Togetherall – designed to help people get support to take control of their wellbeing and feel better. It provides 24/7 peer-to-peer and professional support (from experienced clinicians who are always online), plus a range of courses and tools to help people self-manage their wellbeing. 
• The Yellow Book – an online resource with various tools and techniques to help combat stress in written and audio format. The e-book features poems, songs, readings and artwork to help with your mental wellbeing (sign-in required). 

• Chaplaincy – a place where students are welcomed to reflect, explore and express faith and spirituality. It is a place to pray, to meditate and to meet others. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Self-help resource: Harness the Power of Serotonin  

Serotonin, which some people refer to as the ‘happy chemical’, is a neurotransmitter that contributes to a healthier mood and sleep cycle. 

There are a few ways you can easily boost your serotonin levels: 

1. Exercise – Whether it’s a daily walk or an aerobic class, you can feel a natural ‘high’ after increasing your heart rate and spending time outside surrounded by nature. 

2. Diet – Your gut can boost serotonin levels significantly too. Aim to have your ‘5 a day’ of fruit and vegetables, as well as Omega 3-rich foods such as oily fish and seeds. Incorporating high protein foods like eggs, beans and some meats as well as fermented foods (eg kimchi and sauerkraut) into your diet can improve serotonin levels as well.  

3. Avoid drinks that deplete serotonin – Stay away from diet drinks containing artificial sweeteners like aspartame, and cut down on alcohol, as regular consumption can disturb the metabolism or brain serotonin.