Mental Health Awareness
health Awareness
Mental Health Difficulties
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Mental Health problems are essentially disturbances in the way in which people think, feel
and behave.
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They can range from the worries and anxieties we all experience as part of everyday life to
other longer term problems that can begin to affect our daily functioning.
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We all have times when we feel down or stressed or feel unable to manage. These feelings
often pass, but sometimes they are hard to cope with and you might feel you need extra
support.
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Everyone is different. Some people manage their problems and recover well while others
may feel weighed down by them for a long time.
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The majority of people who experience mental health difficulties recover but sometimes
people need longer term or more specialist support.
Mental Health Awareness
Student Mental Health
While many students with mental health difficulties manage university life well there will be some students who find their
mental health difficulties affect their academic work, ability to settle into university life, make friends and have a positive
experience. Sometimes mental health problems can be severely disruptive to a student’s capacity to study and learn.
What factors could impact on a students wellbeing?
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Students are at a stage of transition between dependence and independence.
Adapting to perhaps living independently for the first time
Forming new social networks (can often lead to isolation)
Working academically in a new environment (more autonomous self directed learning and
prioristising work)
Managing a tight budget (perhaps having to work part time)
The student population has also become increasingly diverse
There is an increase in modular learning which can result in students progressing through courses
over differing timescales. (less contact with tutors/relationships not being formed)
Rates of family breakdown have increased enormously over the past few decades.
For international students they have the added challenge of living in a new country and adapting
to a different culture.
Increasing pressures around money, body, lifestyle
Consumerism, 24 hour social networking and what is available and accessible to young people
Mental Health Awareness
Spotting the signs?
Presentations/behaviours which may indicate
deteriorating mental health.
Mental Health Awareness
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Low mood, miserable, tearful or overly anxious
Withdrawn or unusually quiet
Observed decline in personal appearance/appearing unkempt
Inappropriate dress; more flamboyant and or revealing/overtly sexual
Excessive signs of fatigue/exhaustion
Speech - loud, inappropriate in content, pressured – rapid, difficult to interrupt
Erratic behaviour or behaviour that is out of character
Difficulty concentrating in lectures/seminars or in conversation –appear preoccupied
Visible signs of self harming such as cuts, burns, scarring.
Behaviour may be seen as tense, irritable, agitated
Appear withdrawn, detached from other people and the environment
Finding it difficult to relate to/communicate with other people
Expressing feelings of hopelessness, despair, or extreme loneliness
Thought disturbance, e.g. difficulty sustaining conversation – may be thought blocked or evidence
of jumbled thoughts.
Talking about suicide or self-harm, or actually doing/attempting it
Mood or behaviour changes (maybe subtle or significant)
Talking incoherently/or ideas jumping from subject to subject
Reduced productivity, judgement, memory, concentration
Mental Health Awareness
Wide range of ‘diagnosis’ or ‘conditions/presentations’
Most common presentations amongst students:
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Anxiety
Depression
Other less common ‘conditions’:
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Bi-polar disorder
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Psychosis / Schizophrenia
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Personality disorder
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OCD / Phobias
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Eating disorder
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Alcohol/addictions
Mental Health Awareness
Anxiety
The feeling we get when our body responds to frightening or threatening experience/an unpleasant
feeling we all get from time to time. Anxiety can be generalised across a range of situations, or may
be situation-specific (e.g. exam anxiety, social anxiety, public speaking anxiety).
Anxiety affects how we feel, think, behave, our body. It manifests itself in a variety of ways.
Feelings: Nervous, worried, frightened, stressed, tense, unsettled, panicky, irritable
Thinking : Constant worry, thoughts racing, minds jumping, imagining the worst
Common Thoughts : I’m cracking up, I’m going to have a heart attack, I can’t cope, I’ve got to get out
of here.
What happens to your body: Heart pounds, chest feels tight, butterflies, stomach churning, jumpy,
having to go to the toilet, sweating, dizzy, light headed.
Behaviours – Avoidance, pacing, getting flustered, irritable, unable to relax, talking quickly
Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health Awareness
Depression / low mood
Feelings: Persistent low mood, feeling down, tearfulness, low motivation, feeling alone
Thoughts : Self critical, I’m no good, I’ve wasted another day, low self confidence,
helplessness, what is the point in life
Physical Symptoms : Lethargic, tired, irritable, changes in appetite, sleep disturbance
Behaviours : Self isolation, reduced motivation – reduced self care, less animated and
expressive - facially flat, reduced eye contact
MenMental Health Awarenessalt
Awareness
Sleep
Sunlight
Relaxation
Physical Activity
Diet
(TAKE CARE OF
SELF)
Vicious Cycle
Negative
Thoughts
Over Generalise
Ignore Positive
(CHALLENGE)
Make good use of
time (motivation)
Diary plan
Small Steps
Problem Solving
Solutions
Recognise
personal
Qualities
(POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR)
(SELF REWARD)
Mental Health Awareness
Risk Factors
Depression has no single cause and can involve the interaction of many factors (psychological,
environmental, biological).
Life events : relationships, bereavement/loss, stressful event/trauma such as being a victim of
crime, academic problems
Physical : Medical conditions, stress, medication
Social situation : Isolation, loneliness, bullying/abuse
Mental Health Awareness
Suicide: Risk Factors / warning signs
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Depression, including excessive feelings of guilt or shame, self reproach and anger
Feelings of worthlessness and very low self-esteem, particularly if accompanied by very high
ideals or expectations
Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and futility
Isolation, feelings of alienation
History of previous suicide attempts
Any evidence of suicidal thoughts or plans – sorting affairs, finances, possessions.
Alcohol and/or other substance abuse
Recent severe trauma or stressful event such as a major loss, or the threat of loss
Significant changes of behaviour, e.g. becoming withdrawn, when this is not typical of the
individual.
Male gender (3 times more likely than women)
Concurrent mental disorders
Certain professions - doctors, students
Hopelessness, talking about feeling trapped or unable to cope with distress
People who are suicidal often tell people about their thoughts or give clues to
others about their feelings
(sources – Papyrus / NHS / Samaritans/ Mental Wealth/NHS)
Mental Health Awareness
Suicide: What should you do?
Ask
Asking if a person feels suicidal is extremely unlikely to put the idea into their head, and they are more
likely to be relieved to not be holding it alone anymore. Ask the student directly about feelings and
plans. (“Are you thinking of killing yourself?” “How have you thought about doing it?”)
Listen
Take what they say seriously. Try to understand their perspective of the situation. The student may be
able to tell you what they need and who might help.
Discuss
Try to discover what might make a difference without imposing your solutions on the situation. Offer
practical help towards problem solving - e.g. lifting an academic deadline.
*** Don't over-reach your own limits of time or expertise
**** Refer - Do not take sole responsibility for the situation. Sensitively indicate that you are concerned
enough to arrange for further help, even if it means breaking confidence. They must speak to an
experienced practitioner as soon as possible. Express care and concern, and assure
the student that you will help him or her get professional help.
If you are unsure seek advice without breaching confidentiality first.
Mental Health Awareness
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If you are concerned about a student, follow your instinct and encourage them to talk to you.
Talking about self destructive feelings does not make it more likely to happen. Also ‘if you don’t
ask they are unlikely to tell’
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Listen attentively and acknowledge what they are saying, take it seriously and make it clear that
you want to help. Express care and concern, and assure the student that you will help him or her
get professional help
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Don't make light of it, criticise or be judgmental. Reassure them that you have heard what they are
telling you.
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Give information to students about where they can get help, offer to initiate the call, or make an
appointment for them yourself.
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Ask their permission to involve other - parents, friends and /or student support services.
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A diplomatic approach may be required with a student who does not recognise the need or is
unwilling to accept help – talk through all the options. Find out why they are reluctant and try to
address that particular issue. If concerned about imminent risk – contact appropriate emergency
services.
Mental Health Awareness
Leeds Beckett University Supports
Students:
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On Line Registration
Registration via our on-line form accessed from our webpage
Registration at any time
Variety of supports available
Staff:
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Student Wellbeing Team provides staff:
• Consultancy, guidance and advice
• Joint meetings and on-going liaison with students
• Sharing of information to ensure co-ordinated approach to student experience
• Training – MH Awareness sessions bookable via I-Trent
• Training – MH Awareness: supporting Students module –People Development on-line
• Support for Urgent Situations
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Student Wellbeing Webpages on Student Hub
Extensive range of self help resources to be able to direct students to
Mental Health Awareness
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Other useful links
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Student Wellbeing Team
Urgent Support Information for Students
Urgent Support Information for Staff
Self Help Resources for Staff and Students
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Leeds Mind
Re-think
Mental Health Foundation
Time to Change
Centre for Mental Health