Tomorrow (
Monday 10 May), marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week. The week is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation and this year’s theme is ‘
Nature’. The coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated what powerful benefits nature can have on our mental health and over the course of the next week, the Mental Health Foundation is encouraging as many people as possible to think about connecting with nature and how nature can improve our mental health.
In support of the week, our Student Advisory and Wellbeing team have organised
a number of events and activities for you to take part in, either on campus, or from home if you continue to study from there. As well as encouraging you to explore the nature around you, their activities have also been based on
Mind’s ‘five ways to wellbeing - Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Learn and Give’. From self-guided campus walks, to online mindfulness meditation sessions, to a virtual ‘tea and chat’ with our Wellbeing Advisors, there’s something for everyone to get involved in. More information about the events taking place across the week can be found on
the student intranet.
In these uncertain times, we are all continuing to adapt and deal with challenging events and I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of how important it is that we look after our mental health and wellbeing. If you do experience personal or academic challenges that are affecting your health and wellbeing, I encourage you to seek help and advice. Royal Holloway is a close knit and supportive community and we offer a wide range of services to help you if you begin to feel overwhelmed. If you would like to talk to someone or are concerned about anyone within our community, please contact our
Student Advisory and Wellbeing team.
Now more than ever it is important to focus on our mental health and wellbeing. Over the next week, please take the opportunity to explore the nature around you and get involved in the different
events and activities.
Professor Paul Layzell
Principal