SPONSORS & ASSOCIATES:

12.00 - 1.30pm Workshop: How to Run a Mental Health Campaign

#mwukweb @MentalWealthUK

2013 Student Wellbeing WEB SUMMIT

Introductions

Rosie Tressler (@rosietressler)

Development Officer, Mental Wealth UK

Edward Pinkney (@smwproject)

Project Coordinator, Open Your Mind

Expert Advisor for this session:

Oliver Kasper, Campaigns and Democracy Manager

University of Nottingham Students’ Union

Technology

To participate you will need a computer, internet connection, and a headset with inbuilt microphone (e.g. the headphones you might use for a skype call). If you do not have these, you will be able to dial in using a conference call number.

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CONTENTS:

A. Student Mental Health: An Overview

B. Reaching Students & Establishing Student-led Initiatives: A Step by Step Approach

C. Running an Event or Campaign

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Student Mental Health: An Overview

1. Mental Health (According to the WHO)

2. Translating this to students

3. Growing Wellbeing Agenda

4. Mapping Universities

5. Three Dimensions of Campus Change

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1. Mental Health (According to the WHO)

• The Scope of the Problem – ‘Over 450 million people are affected by mental health problems. – Almost one million people die by suicide each year. – By 2030, depression is expected to be the biggest health burden on

society.

• Mental health defined – “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own

potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”

• Healthy Settings Model – "Health is created and lived by people within the settings of their

everyday life; where they learn, work, play, and love.“ – Ottawa Charter (1986)

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2. Translating this to students

• Royal College of Psychiatrists’ report identified the “pressing need” – A 2008 survey (Bewick et al.) found that 29% of students

showed clinical levels of psychological distress

• Whole-University Approach

• Attitude Change

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3. Growing Wellbeing Agenda

• Positive Psychology & Humanistic Psychology

• Employability, Soft Skills, Resilience (‘resources to thrive’)

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4. Mapping Universities

• Counselling Services

• Peer-Listening / Groups

• Mental Health Advisors

• Disability Services

• Student Unions

• Student-led initiatives (Mental Wealth UK / Open Your Mind) – helping to bridge boundaries

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5. Three Dimensions of Campus Change

Opening Minds

…Creating Understanding

…Connecting With Resources

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6. Links

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• Open Your Mind

www.nusconnect.org.uk/openyourmind

• World Health Organisation

http://www.who.int/mental_health/en/

• Healthy Universities Project

http://www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

• Rpsych report and related articles by Ed

http://edwardpinkney.com/?page_id=2

Establishing Student-led Initiatives

1. The role for students

2. What is a Mental Wealth Group?

3. Why students would want to be involved

4. Getting going

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1. The role for students

• Attitude Changes comes from within the community

• Signposting: Students know how to reach students. Growing evidence that students prefer to listen to and accept advice from peers

• Students can make mistakes (not seen as authority figures)

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2. What is a Mental Wealth Group?

Groups ran ‘by students, for students’ that; – Provide a regular, welcoming, non-judgemental space

to fellow students and reach out to the wider student community

– Demystify mental health by providing information days and wellbeing fairs and campaigns to stimulate positive change and challenge discrimination

– Publicise activities across the community to encourage students to care for their own mental wellbeing

– Provide information and signposting to students who may otherwise be reluctant or unclear as to how to seek help

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NOT A FORMAL SUPPORT SERVICE

Mental Wealth Groups…

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Mental Wealth Groups…

have trained leaders and members

link with their Student Union and its Welfare team

have at least one named university staff advisor from a relevant background (mental health advisor or counsellor)

have a clear approach to continuity comply with and disseminate MWF guidance on good

practice

are members and contributors in the active national network

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The National Network

• 30 affiliated groups supported by development officer including – 3 groups in Scotland – 3 groups in Wales – First Further Education College

(Kirklees)

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Our Provision

provides mentoring, guidance and support to the students groups

liaises with Welfare Officers and University MH advisors

facilitates a national MWUK Student Advisory Committee

develops and disseminates resources and toolkits

collates feedback from student groups

provides training events, conferences/summits and awards networks with key national stakeholders

advocates nationally on behalf of student mental health

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3. Why students want to be involved

• Professional opportunities

• Skill-building

• Personal passion

Emily, Sheffield University MW Group Leader: “Not only did I get to make new friends, I have gained experience as working as part of a team... I have also become far more confident. Organising events and approaching many new people is something I never would have done when first arriving at university.”

Alex, Exeter MW Group Leader: “The best part about running a group is over hearing someone talking about your group. Its great to be part of people’s every day conversations and shows that our campaigns and presence on campus is appreciated! Personally I have also developed my delegating skills. It has shown me how to effectively run a group, a skill which will be transferrable throughout my career.”

Rachel, Sheffield Hallam MW Group Leader: “I feel good to know that I am making a difference.”

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4. Getting Started

• Advertise opportunity to students: SU/ University communication channels

• Drawing up a manifesto: What are your core aims? • Register with Mental Wealth UK:

home@mentalwealthuk.com • Utilise the Start-up resources • Recruit members: Introductions meeting, Union

events, Freshers’ Fair, Uni Mental Health Day etc. • Receive training • Organise events…

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Running an Event or Campaign

1. Identifying the aim 2. Consulting stakeholders 3. SMART Planning 4. Marketing 5. Delivery 6. Review Joined by Oliver Kasper, Campaigns and Democracy Manager at the University of Nottingham Students’ Union

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What is a Campaign?

• What is the purpose of an event or campaign?

• Issue of Change Vs Awareness in Mental Health Campaigning

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Identifying the Aim

• What do you already know? Evidence is Key!

• What are you trying to change with your event / campaign?

Behavioural Change e.g. Fighting stigma on campus

Institutional Change e.g. Increasing Mental Health service provision

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Consulting Stakeholders

• Who has influence?

• Who are your allies and targets?

• ALLIES: Map out Relevant staff that can help you. Who also wants to see the end goal achieved?

– Welfare Officer / Union Exec

– Students’ Union staff

– Organisations e.g. MWUK

• TARGETS: Who can make the change happen?

– Vice Chancellor?

– Local MP

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Planning your campaign/ event: Make it SMART

Create a list of objectives that will help you meet the change you want to create, but make them SMART… Specific • Is your objective well defined? • Can anyone with limited knowledge of the event/ campaign understand it? • What specific tactics will it involve? Measured • Can the success be measured? How will you know when you have reached the

goal?

Achievable • Is your objective realistic and attainable?

Resourced • Have you considered the financial resources you may need and researched into

funding? • What about staff, volunteer resources? Teamwork makes the dream work! Targeted • Is your objective targeted to a specific audience and message?

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Campaigns Tactics

• How do we decide what tactics to use?

• Guided by the issues / the change you want to make

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Marketing

Getting your message out / advertising an event.

• Your immediate channels: SU mailing list, website, social media, screens, boards etc.

• University Pages, Specific places e.g. Student Support, International Office, etc.

• Contact relevant societies (e.g. Yoga)

• Inform Local Press and university media

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Don’t forget…

• Are the activities accessible to anyone?

• Will it clash with other events/ exams?

• Do you need to return Risk assessments or other forms to your SU?

And most importantly…

Your wellbeing comes first!

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Campaign/ Event Delivery

• This is putting the event / campaign into action by following your plan and fully utilising your resources

• Trial and error is inevitable

• Don’t be afraid to change tactics

• Remember to collect data and media coverage for your review

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Review

• Debrief : did the tactics employed work?

• Did you achieve your goals?

• Follow up communication to members / attendees / supporters

• Learn: Write up a review for future reference and handover – crucial for sustainability of the group

• Groups: Return forms to MWUK

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Examples of Campaigns / Events

3.45 - 5.00pm Discussion Forum: Ideas Review for 2012/2013

• We will be sharing some of our favourite event & campaign concepts from the past 12 months.

Following on from our next session:

2.00 - 3.30pm Panel Discussion, 'What should a university mental health policy look like?’

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Copyright of Mental Wealth Foundation 2013

Next Session: 2.00 - 3.30pm Panel Discussion, 'What should a university mental health policy look like?’ Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4245777693707723776

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