Mental Wellbeing

What is Mental Wellbeing?

The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”

Good mental health and wellbeing help us to manage everyday challenges, build positive relationships, and achieve our potential. However, mental health problems are common. Globally, around 1 in 8 people live with a mental disorder at any given time, and in England nearly 1 in 5 adults experience a common mental health condition each year. Among young people aged 16–24, this rises to about 1 in 4.

Learning more about the different mental health problems people may face can make us feel more confident in supporting others and in looking after our own wellbeing.

Mental Health Problems 

There is a variety of mental health problems that a person can experience. The Time to Talk website provides further details on the following issues:  

• Anxiety disorders happen when someone has feelings of anxiety that are very strong or last for a long time. Find out more about anxiety disorders and read blogs about anxiety. 
• Bipolar disorder is characterised by the experience of swings between a low mood and a high, manic mood, usually with more normal phases in between. Find out more about bipolar disorder and read blogs and personal stories. 
• Depression is characterised by the persistence of feelings of sadness or misery. Find out more about depression and read blogs and personal stories. 
• Eating disorders can occur when someone has a difficult and unhealthy relationship with food, and often co-exist with depression or anxiety disorders. Find out more about eating disorders and read blogs and personal stories. 
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder where unwanted thoughts, urges and repetitive activities become an obstacle to the person's ability to live life as they want. Find out more about obsessive-compulsive disorder and read personal stories. 
• Personality disorders such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) occur when a person's personality traits cause regular, long-term problems in the way they cope with life. Find out more about personality disorders and read personal stories. 
• Schizophrenia is a mental illness that occurs when the parts of the brain that are responsible for emotion and sensation stop functioning properly. Find out more about schizophrenia and read personal stories. 

Wellbeing 

The World Health Organisation's definition of mental health moves beyond simply the absence of mental illness, but includes the presence of emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. People who enjoy high levels of wellbeing are described as flourishing. In this context, flourishing means that the person enjoys feelings of happiness, contentment and curiosity and is able to engage fully with what is going on around them. Flourishing also means functioning well in the world; the person experiences positive relationships, has some control over their life, and has a sense of purpose.

Find out more  

• Student Advice and Wellbeing provides further information on mental health and wellbeing. 
• Time to Change is a growing movement that exists to transform how we all think and act about mental health problems. 

I'm worried about someone's mental wellbeing

There may be a number of reasons which cause you to become concerned about a student, friend or colleague's mental health and wellbeing. They might be acting differently, seem low, worried or stressed, or you might be concerned about their general wellbeing. 

Think  

• Are they in immediate danger? If you think someone is at immediate risk of hurting themselves or someone else call 999 and ask for an ambulance. If you are on campus, call security on extension 555: give details of your location and they will order an ambulance. Stay with them and reassure them help is on the way. 
• High Risk Warning Signs. The NHS provides details on some of the warning signs for suicide and self harm.  
• What is mental wellbeing?It might be useful to think about what mental wellbeing is and some of the types of mental health problems people can experience. 
• Stigma and mental health: Time to Change.  The way you act towards someone with a mental illness can change their life; by opening up to mental health you can make a real difference. Find out more on the Time to Change website.  

Talk

• Listen. Just taking the time to listen to someone and talk about what has happened can help. These six active listening tips might help you support them.
• Tell the person you are concerned. If they are not at immediate risk, encourage them to get support and consider helping them to make the initial contact.  
• Time to Talk. Too many people can be left in situations where they feel isolated, ashamed and worthless. Time to Change is a movement that seeks to challenge this. They believe by joining together, we can make sure that more people are open to talking and listening about mental health problems than ever before.  

Report 

• Student Advice and Wellbeing. If they are not in immediate danger but you are still worried about them, contact the Student Advice and Wellbeing team for advice.

Get Support  

• Find out what support is available if you are concerned about someone's mental wellbeing
• Take care of yourself. It’s important that you take care of yourself. If you’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling you, the University's Student Advice and Wellbeing team offers confidential help.

What support is available if I'm worried about someone's mental wellbeing?

If you are concerned about someone's mental health or wellbeing there is a variety of support options available to both students and staff. 

For students 

• Your School. If you are a student you can talk to your academic adviser. 
• Student Advice and Wellbeing. This University service offers support and advice on issues affecting your student life, with signposting and referral to more specialist services. If you are not sure where to go, this is a good place to start. Find them in the SL48 on the lower ground floor of the Paul Webley Wing.
• Counselling Service. The University’s team of professional counsellors, and mental health workers offers confidential support. This service is provided by Student Advice and Wellbeing. 
• The Disability and Neurodiversity Team. The University’s dedicated disability advisors can provide advice, guidance, and support to staff and students about a range of practical adjustments to your work or studies. 
• SOAS SU Student Advice Centre. They provide an academic and welfare service that is confidential, free and independent of the University. They aim to give practical advice and advocacy to all SOAS Students.  

For staff

• (Link) If you are a member of staff or manager your HR partner will be able to identify the support that’s available for you. 
• (Link) Staff and their family members have access to a free, external, confidential employee wellbeing service. This might include anything from workplace, financial, legal, health, relationship, family issues or any other life challenges.