Mental Health Awareness Week 2020

The theme of this year’s campaign is kindness, so we’re asking what you are doing to help others during the coronavirus pandemic. To kick off the week, we’re launching the COVID-19 Positive Challenge, inspired by our Head of Counselling and Wellbeing, Jo Tomlinson. In this tricky time, Jo set out her list of 19 things which have boosted her mental attitude since social distancing restrictions came in. You can view her list below for inspiration.

The challenge forms part of the university's activity for Mental Health Awareness Week - follow it all and get involved on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Jo’s COVID-19 positive challenge

• Community - I've been reminded of how important community is. Being a part of a local community, a work community, community of interest. I am so appreciative of the connections being made to continue to hold central, a sense of community.
• Nature - I can remember, early in into 'lock down' how I heard birds singing. This seemed to be louder and clearer than I'd heard before.

• Hope - experiencing the power of hope. Knowing that there will be a better time.
• Friendship - just knowing how important my friends are and loving the remote and imaginative contacts we're maintaining.
• Craft - I have created and made things that I might not have usually done. I've also opened myself up to what possibilities are in store.
• Sound - I am so appreciative that I can listen to music, hear distant chatter, listen to silence, more so than ever before.
• Space - I am spending so much time just looking at and appreciating the sky, space and watching our beautiful stars.
• Technology - I've completely viewed and experienced the power of technology in a different light. I've embraced the wonders and the scope of what we can achieve.
• Appreciation - I have experienced a level of appreciation for those things that, in the past, I may have taken for granted. Thank you.
• Connections - I have felt more connected with some people and, myself, in the past few weeks, more so than I have in the past.

• Memories - I have taken the time to cherish memories of those people and events I remember with happiness and provided myself with time to celebrate the richness of those experiences.
• Planning - I have made plans and I've also, just let plans go.
• Travel - I've relished the thought of how travel is something that is such a privilege and, I look forward to this occurring again.
• Food - being thank full for the food I eat, more so now than I can ever remember. Particularly when some usual products have been so difficult to source.
• Belonging - knowing that I am a part of something far greater than me and, feeling a sense of belonging to our current struggle. Stronger, together.
• Kindness - being thankful to so many people who, on a daily basis, remind me and, others, of how significant a 'random act of kindness' is.
• The elements - taking the time to breath fresher air. Loving the feeling of the ground on my feet. Enjoying being outside and embracing whatever the weather!
• Sharing - even remotely experiencing the power of share!
• Laughter - of my self, I love my humour, most of all, I'm reminded of how powerful it is in these difficult times 'every day offers you 10,000 reasons to cry but if you can find just one reason to laugh then you will be alright' Maya Angelou.