It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

…for most people, but for some, Christmas can be rather less than glittery.

I just wanted to bring to attention how Christmas is a danger zone for some people in terms of mental health.

‘’Mostly I'm OK. It's Christmas time that it hits me worst, as that's when he died. Then I stare at his empty chair and feel swamped by an awful, aching loneliness’’ (Mind.org.uk)

Some people might find it harder to deal with the added pressure:

·         More pressure to engage in social activities, which may be difficult for individuals with a range of anxiety disorders who really do not want to dance the night away in a sequin mini
·         Change of routine, again may be hard for those with anxiety problems
·         Fear of being lonely (mind.org.uk), or feeling lonely whilst watching others be together
·         Sad and sentimental at times, maybe missing people you no longer see. This may be particularly a problem for individuals who are depressed
·         Lots of social eating and drinking may be hard if you have an eating disorder- Christmas dinner isn’t the same if you’re sat there calculating how many calories are in a sprout.
·         Seeing other people being happy and feeling bad because you’re just not feeling that way
·         Guilt for not being as happy as you feel you should be- guess this is a viscous circle which may just dampen your party spirits a little!
Also, it’s important to realise that the over-indulgence of Christmas in terms of late nights and cocktails can also take its toll on Psychological wellbeing.

Maybe we should just bear this in mind x 

We hope you have a very merry Christmas, the Hallam Head Space team 

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Exam Stress?

The free time throughout the semester is a wonderful thing. Drunken nights out, whole days to waste on hangover cures and more social contact than you can swing a cat at (or something).

However as the days get colder, the nights get longer and the dreaded deadlines dauntingly hover overhead, you may be forgiven for forgetting what you enjoy about University life.

It's like having a full time job, except one in which for 80% of the time you can get away with a few hours work a day, but in return you must spend the other 20% of your days slaving away, occasionally overnight, in an attempt to transfer a smorgasbord of lectures, seminars, books and journals into one coherent document.

Alternatively there is the examinee's attempt to shovel as much information into their brain as possible, in the hope that they won't be thrown a curve-ball that relies on the one peripheral case or study they just didn't have time for.

Of course there is then the delightful chance that both forms of assessment will be due within a few days of each other. In which case it's a hell-for-leather, all guns blazing, see-you-in-a-week-once-I-crawl-out-of-the-library-whilst-the-sun-burns-my-retinas-which-have-become-so-accustomed-to-indoor-lighting, mentality.

You may think I'm exaggerating, but I know people who have done this. The record amount of time I've known someone to stay in the library is 48 hours, continuously.

This doesn't have to be the case.

There are many ways to survive the deadline/exam roller-coaster, here is the method suggested by the good people at Mental Wealth UK:

• Split the day up into manageable chunks (e.g. Morning, Afternoon, Evening)
• Organise the exact time you are going to spend on each task
• Ensure a 10 minute break after every 40 minute work-period
• Always have a supply of drinks and food
• If you're lacking motivation, do something related, but lighter for 5 minutes first
• Engage in some social time (even if it's just watching TV with house-mates at the end of the day)

Some stress is natural, after all it's what keeps us alert to the task at hand, however too much can do more harm than good. With these tips you will be able to keep on top of things, whilst keeping those grey hairs at bay.

Hallam Head Space presents...

'Break the Silence'

"I type in "Mental Health" into our universities on-line portal and get 55 results.  Good start - I can do this. 

First link takes me to an explanation - "What is mental health support?"  This is useful stuff…..but it doesn't tell me where to go…..so I click back and the next link tells me how I can see a mental health advisor.  Excellent!  A phone number and email address……

But I daren't call anyone…. I'm not used to talking on the phone and I feel embarrassed and silly. 

So I'll email then….Yes.  I'll email.  That’s a better idea. 

But what do I say?

"Excuse me, I am really stressed out.  I'm not sleeping or eating properly and I just generally feel rubbish." - They'll think it's because I'm out partying every night….

But I'm not.

And what will I do if they reply asking me to go and see them?  Where would I have to go?  What if my friends see me going and think I'm crazy? What if I get laughed at? 

No…I won't email.  I'll keep looking; maybe there is something else that will help me.  I definitely need some help.

The next link takes me to a big list of other links and this stuff is really great - there are workshops on here, drop-in details, self-help resources….those are good.  I'll have a look at those soon. 

I probably won't go to the workshops.  

I don't think I'll go to the drop-in sessions either. 

I might use the self-help resources, they look really good, but I'm not sure I really need them.

The workshops and drop-ins all seem a bit open and not in the least bit anonymous.  Uncertainty and new things make me nervous. 

I'm nervous enough as it is.

I wonder what happens to your information once they take it from you.  I wonder if it is linked to your academic record.

I'll have to look into that.

I do need to do something though. 

All these resources for depression and other illnesses.  Do I have one of those?

I don't know.  I think I'm being silly.

There are other people much worse off than me and I should be grateful for what I have.

I don't need these resources…..I'm just being stupid….I just have too much to do that’s all.

It will get better after exams.

But then I have semester 2 exams…what will I do then?"

An NUS Survey - Silently Stressed, 2011, highlighted that 80% of students would not seek help for a mental health issue due to the embarrassment and stigma associated with it.

Less than 20% of students would access university services.

The extract above is from a Level 5 Student.

Hallam Head Space is aiming to Break the Silence on Mental Health and encourage people to get talking about it - in order to smash that 80% figure down to one that is much more acceptable.

Hallam Head Space 'Wishes SHU well' 


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