It’s Mind Matters week! See what’s on and focus on your wellbeing
How are you feeling? Being a uni student isn’t always easy and, as the first study period of the year ramps up, it’s completely normal to feel a little stressed or just in need of a break. Or perhaps you’ve been coping with a long-term personal issue that’s starting to take a toll on your physical or mental health.
This week, we encourage you to take some time out to focus on your mental health and wellbeing. This should be a priority for everyone – whether you experience anxiety, depression or another type of mental ill health; you’re keen to create healthy and sustainable habits that boost your wellbeing; or you’d just like to feel better about yourself.
That’s the motivation behind Mind Matters – Deakin’s mental health and wellbeing movement. Running throughout Week 4 (Monday 25 to Thursday 28 March) Mind Matters Week offers you helpful information, strategies and resources to enhance your mental wellbeing.
What’s on this Mind Matters week
Throughout the week, we’re running some seriously inspiring events both online and on campus! You could:
- take it easy with Lo-Fi in the Library
- craft your very own Positivity Pot or Mood Board
- reflect on your own wellbeing with our online and on-campus art (more details below!)
- join a free DeakinACTIVE online wellbeing class, THRIVE online session or Walk’n’Talk group
- listen to a Managing Social Anxiety podcast featuring Deakin counsellors
- download the free DeakinWELLBEING app, and more!
See what’s happening and register now for events via our Mind Matters webpage.
Find inspiration in art online and on campus
Art can be such a fantastic form of therapy, either to deal with personal struggles or to share feelings of joy, love, stress and despair. We want to showcase the amazing creative talents of our community in a space that helps to destigmatise mental health and inspires positive action.
To encourage you to slow down, enjoy the present moment and get your imagination firing:
Visit our incredible Online Student Art Exhibition
This student series features works of art inspired by, or reflecting on, mental wellbeing. You can view the digital art gallery at any time, which cover themes of isolation, trauma, helplessness, depression and anxiety – but also peace, perspective, healing, resilience, hope and love. Pictured: Heartbreak by Gurleen Kaur.
Explore hidden gems around your campus with an Art Tour
Join us for a captivating Art Tour/Walk’n’Talk session around the Burwood, Waurn Ponds and Waterfront campuses, where our friendly student ambassadors will discuss the significance of each work. Each piece has been carefully curated to spark conversations about mental health and wellbeing.
If you can’t make the Art Tour sessions, you could also opt to take a Self-led Art Tour when you’ve got some time between class. The artwork locations for your campus are listed below – happy hunting!
- Burwood: Central Precinct, LB Building Foyer, LC Building Foyer, Library.
- Waurn Ponds: Market Hall Entrance, Library, KE Foyer, DD Foyer.
- Waterfront: Library, Atrium (AD1.008), Level 2 Gallery, LT1/LT2 Foyer.
Support is always available
Our Mind Matters page links out to a range of health and wellbeing content to help you find more ways to be balanced, including staying connected, getting proper sleep, exercising your body and mind, and understanding the link between food and mood – check it out!
We also offer a range of health and wellbeing services to support you as a student. For urgent support outside of business hours, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or SuicideLine (1300 651 251) straight away. They’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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