Student Minds Annual Report 2015

Transcription

1 Student Minds Annual Report 2015 Student Minds Annual Report 2015 Page 1

2 Executive Introduction In 2015, Student Minds experienced transformational change First year with a Student Coordinator leading the organization First year without grant funding Student Minds name trade-marked The potential of other universities adopting the Student Minds program Student Minds at a Snapshot Student Minds Annual Report 2015 Page 2

3 Engaging the Student Community Student Minds on Social Media Student Consults This year, we successfully ran 6 discussion groups on various topics such as Culture and Stigma, Relationships and more. The discussion groups helped create an open conversation and reduce stigma. 3 consults, engaging with international, LGBTI, and general community groups. The consults allowed us to understand students needs and perspectives on mental health which will feed into the initiatives of support services. In 2016, the team plans to formalize the student consults and engage with a wider range of student demographic. This is truly being the student voice on campus for mental health. Student Minds Annual Report 2015 Page 3

4 Increasing Organisational Sustainability Fundraising Initiatives Student Minds Foundation was established at the start of 2015, and a Fundraising team was formed with an intention to develop a strategic initiatives and programs that will raise capital for the organization and allow it to become financially sustainable. Student Minds Annual Report 2015 Page 4

5 Raising Awareness on Campus Mental Health Month Value Your Mind This year, the theme for Mental Health Month was Value Your Mind. Throughout the month of October, Student Minds hosted a series of engaging activities to promote mental health and keep the positive spirit. 'Value Your Mind Creative Competition' A collaborative initiative between Student Minds and the UNSW Art & Design Council joined forces to raise awareness on mental health, through art. Students were asked to engage with the theme of 'Value Your Mind' and interpret it to create a creative and imaginative work of any medium. The competition garnered great interest, participation and a high calibre of submissions of an array of mediums (including paintings, photography, drawings, installation art, multimedia and text). Works were displayed throughout the month, ending with an Art Exhibition where winners were announced. Other Activities: Stress Less Day Colouring Therapy Body paint Discussion groups RUOK Day Student Minds Annual Report 2015 Page 5

6 Educating Students on Mental Health and Wellbeing Untold Stories Untold Stories was again a success this year. The focus of the night was based on the Student Minds motto: Success, Wellbeing, Resilience. Moving away from the primary focus on mental illness last year, it was decided instead to focus on issues affecting every university student such as sleep, alcohol, drugs and time management. The event coincided with Mental Health Month. Four fantastic speakers kindly agreed to speak on the night: Nic Newling, mental health and suicide prevention activist Claudia McEwen, joint Managing Director of the Wake Up Foundation Dr Christopher Miller, sleep psychologist Vik Nithy, UNSW graduate and founder of One Can Grow Untold Stories is clearly an important event that has become a permanent fixture in the Student Minds calendar. It is hoped that it will continue to be run for many years. Student Minds Information/Training Package Information Hour Mental Health Literacy Training 1 and 2 Mental Health First Aid An Orientation Avenue for Student Minds members/volunteers 2 x Information Hour sessions for students ran in Attended by approximately students. The 6 hours course is designed to help students increase understanding of the role of a Student Minds volunteer and expand their knowledge competency on Mental Health as a state of wellbeing. During 2015 the Student Minds Project officer provided: 5 x Mental Health Literacy Training 1 and 5 x Mental Health Literacy Training 2 Trainings 1 and 2 were completed by 69 students. The 12 hour course is designed to help students provide initial support for someone with a mental health problem and give them some skills to help someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis situation. 5 x MHFA courses for students ran in Attended by 77 students. Student Minds Annual Report 2015 Page 6

7 Creating Collaborative Communities Student Minds Conference Many Voices, One Vision On the 23 rd and 24 th of July 2015, over 60 staff and students from across UNSW attended the annual Student Minds Conference, with the shared purpose of making collective impact on student mental wellbeing at UNSW. The realization for a need to collaborate emerged from the awareness that student organisations are realizing the importance of mental wellbeing and rapidly taking action. As such, what we have learnt from last year s conference was that mental health is a wicked problem complex, persistent, and hard to solve. Hence, it is an endeavor that would require a joint effort across all organisations. The goal of the conference was to develop a collaboration strategy and targeted key initiatives. Over the two days, delegates immersed themselves in a design thinking process of understanding key issues, exploring ideas, and identifying actionable solutions towards collaborating for improved mental wellbeing. Developing a Whole of University Mental Health Approach The outputs from the conference has been used to form an ongoing project for developing collaborative ways of working and a whole of university approach to improving student wellbeing. The initiative engaged with multiple support services, health services, student organisations and communities. A proposal document has been submitted to the Director Student Life and Learning. We hope that this proposal generates a further focus on the student voice on mental health during Feedback so far indicates that the Student Safety and Wellbeing Committee (SSWC) will be overseeing the development of a UNSW collaborative Mental Health Strategy. A Student Minds representative will be included in the collaboration, as will the university services and academics with an interest in the initiative. The development of the strategy will form part of the key focus of the SSWC.. Student Minds Annual Report 2015 Page 7

8 Student Minds Executive Team 2015 Student Minds Annual Report 2015 Page 8

9 Thank you to all who contributed to an amazing and impactful year Student Minds Executive Team 2015 Counselling and Psychological Services Student Life and Learning Student Minds Volunteers Student Representative Council Arts and Design Council School of Psychology We wish the 2016 team all the best. Student Minds Annual Report 2015 Page 9