Hallam Head Space presents...
'Break the Silence'
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"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.
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