To mark the fourth week of our campaign to help our students take steps to achieve and maintain good mental wellbeing we are looking at step four – Give to Others.
The campaign, which is based on the NHS’s 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing, is exploring ideas and things to try which may make you feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from life and your studies.
Give to Others
Most people would agree that giving to others is a good thing. Being kind always makes you feel good.
Whether it is a small act of kindness, a large commitment to helping others or just a simple smile to brighten somebody’s day, giving to others can make you feel happier and more satisfied with life.
If you don’t already do it every day, make today your starting point.
Our student Nikita has been working through the steps and this week she has been giving to others.
Check out how she got on here >
There is a lot of evidence to suggest that it is our actions and our thoughts that have the biggest impact on mental wellbeing, rather than what we have, for example our income, job, home or car.
Giving to others and co-operating with people can stimulate the reward areas in the brain, creating positive feelings. It can also give us a sense of purpose and feelings of self-worth.
Try giving to others. You could:
- Make the effort to phone or visit somebody you haven’t spoken to in a while, just to say hello
- Ask how somebody is and really listen to the answer
- Offer to help somebody who may be struggling – an elderly person with heavy shopping bags, for example.
- Try out volunteering with Liverpool Guild of Students– there are loads of volunteering opportunities available where you can give your time to help others
- Arrange a surprise day out for somebody you care about
Over the next few weeks we will be encouraging all students to try out the NHS’s Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing. Keep an eye on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts as well as our Student News pages for ideas around how you can get involved.
How to get support if you need it
If at any time during your studies you feel you might benefit from some extra support, we are here to help.
We offer a wellbeing drop-in between 11am-3pm every weekday in the Alsop Building for practical and pastoral support in a confidential space. You don’t need to book – simply come along to the Student Welfare Advice and Guidance Information Point on the ground floor of the Alsop Building (on University Square).
Services available for our students include:
- Student Welfare Advice and Guidance – confidential service to provide help and support to students
- Counselling Service – free and confidential advice to current students
- Mental Health Advisory Service – help and advice with mental health needs
- Big White Wall – 24/7 peer and professional support service
- SilverCloud free online self-help modules – Space from Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Positive Body Image modules which can be completed for free
- Bibliotherapy resources – a collection of self-help books which can be accessed for free
- Relaxation Programme – available to stream and download and is designed to be used with a self-assessment relaxation diary
- Self Help Hub online – Access information about a range of issues including anxiety, depression and exam worries
- Groups and workshops – the Counselling Service run regular groups and workshops
- Additional support – A list of other support networks you can access can be found on our Counselling Service webpages here.