How are you feeling? Discover how to ‘tune in’ to wellbeing this Mental Health Month
Mental health and wellbeing is certainly top of mind for lots of people right now. We know that being a uni student isn’t always easy, but the cumulative physical, emotional, academic and financial effects of COVID-19 are affecting the wellbeing of many in the Deakin community.
Mental health is also a broader concept than just dealing with any problems you may face. It’s about helping you to feel your best, cope with stressful situations and contribute to your community, whatever your personal situation.
That’s why we’re encouraging you to ‘tune in’ to your own wellbeing this Mental Health Month. This basically means being honest, self-aware and open to change. You can tune in with:
- yourself through self-reflection, self-care and self-improvement
- others, including your Deakin community, through connecting and sharing
- mental health stigma, which can affect how we view mental health and wellbeing, and how we offer support to people who need it.
Even small changes can make a big difference. So, despite the challenges we’re all facing right now, we encourage you to examine your habits, routines and attitudes.
See where you can make small or incremental changes that may benefit your mental health and wellbeing (click on the graphic for some simple tips).
And of course we’re with you every step of the way! We’re committed to bringing our Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy to life, so check out what we’re doing this Mental Health Month to get you started and provide some inspiration and support.
Exercise your body and mind with DeakinACTIVE
We all know that moving our bodies – even if it’s a low-impact activity like walking or yoga – can help boost mood and improve our overall sense of wellbeing (not to mention the many physical benefits!). DeakinACTIVE has you covered this October, with free weekly online pilates, yoga and mindfulness classes. So block out some time in your calendar to unwind and ‘tune in’ to your physical wellbeing:
Check out these resources to help you practise healthy habits
There’s so many resources out there to help you understand and practise self-care. Bupa’s Healthy Mind article hub has topics like bedtime routines, staying well on a budget and what to do if you feel disconnected or isolated in lockdown, as well as a range of guided meditation videos.
Feed your body and soul with student-friendly recipes
One of the first things to slide when you’re flat out or not feeling your best can be what you eat. There’s a strong link between food and mood, so whether you’re a self-professed pro in the kitchen or you prefer to keep it simple, a bit of inspiration can go a long way.
That’s why we’re so excited to announce our new recipe hub, Nourished@Deakin, which will go live during National Nutrition Week (10–16 October). Created by two third-year Bachelor of Nutrition students, Nourished@Deakin offers student-friendly recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks! There will be 13 quick, easy and nutritious recipes for you to enjoy – but take a sneak peak now!
Seek professional help if you need to
If you ever feel like you’re just not coping, please reach out for help. We offer a range of free student support services:
- Talk to one of our student mental health experts by making a telehealth appointment with a Deakin counsellor. You can easily book online.
- Visit our Ask Counselling blog to see what issues other students have been struggling with, and for advice from Deakin counsellors.
- Explore our eWellbeing hub for a range of helpful digital tools and resources.
- Contact LifeLine (13 11 14) or SuicideLine (1300 651 251) for urgent help outside of business hours. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).