Mental-health awareness events for UWI students

UWI has produced a series of initiatives aimed at engaging its students in conversations surrounding mental health.

The MindU campaign, which began three weeks ago and ended on Sunday, encouraged students to take care of themselves, especially with the added pressure of juggling university during a pandemic.

In a phone interview with Newsday on Friday, chairman of the national affairs committee of the UWI student guild Kobe Sandy said the university recognises mental health is not often an issue openly discussed in TT.

“We want to be able to break those stigmas and change the language around mental health.”

The activities were planned leading up to World Mental Health Day on October 10.

He said covid19 put a "wave of new anxiety" on students to deal with, in addition to their studies.

"It is hard to keep up with a physical school in an online space. Even lecturers are trying to cope...

“We are providing tips and guidance on mental health while at home and educating the wider public on the importance of putting yourself first. If you do not put yourself first, no one else will.”

Sandy is also calling on the government to invest in initiatives surrounding mental health in the community.

“We want people to feel empowered to come forward and speak about their experiences with mental health.”

UWI has restructured its counselling and psychological services to allow students to access the services online.

“You can call in or book an appointment with a counsellor through online settings.”

The campaign encompassed three activities, which began
with live streaming six episodes of a talk series called Talk D Tings, with experts in the fields of psychology, counselling and physical wellbeing discussing topics including abuse and trauma, stigmas and myths, sexuality and physical health.

The series also touched on relationships and the male and female response to mental health, which was hosted by comedienne Nikki Crosby and the Caribbean response to mental health, hosted by PAHO/WHO representative for TT Dr Erica Wheeler.

On Friday night, the team will host a virtual open-mic event where students can voice their concerns through a series of creative media including music and spoken word.

The rest of the programme ended on October 11 with a virtual aerobics session.

Sandy said issues surrounding mental health should not just be addressed once a year and the guild will continue to address these issues through advocacy and its
social media accounts.