Title: Fostering Positivity and Mental Health Awareness Through Creative Endeavors
In an initiative to spread positivity and create awareness of mental health issues, supported learning students from Worcestershire, created a unique mural. This special endeavour comes right ahead of World Mental Health Day celebrations, signifying the weightage of mindfulness and motivation during these times.
As part of the commemorative events and workshops, WCG, an established educational institution, will be hosting sessions to create a conducive atmosphere for positive change. These range of activities will be focused on driving forward a better understanding of mental health issues. It will also aim at providing in-depth knowledge and insights into the varied support systems available for both students and staff.
Two of the campus under the WCG umbrella, Pershore College and Evesham New College, are gearing up to host these informative sessions from October 7 till 11, making World Mental Health Day – October 10 – a central part of their agenda.
The supported learning students at Pershore College exhibited their creativity and understanding of the topic through a mural that inspires one to ‘Take a Moment, Reach Out’. The creative piece of art underscores the significance of seeking help when needed.
Judith Abbott, the Specialist Support Lead for Mental Health at WCG, facilitated a comprehensive informational session on mental health before the students embarked on their journey to create the thought-provoking mural. This piece of art embraces motivational and mindfulness stations, invoking emotional responses and reflections through quotes and positive affirmations.
The artistic demonstration aims to be an impactful way for both students and staff to take pause, reflect on the messages and carry them forward into their daily lives, with the mural set to be exhibited throughout the week at the college premises. In addition to the on-site display, photographs of the mural will also be displayed across other WCG colleges to share the positivity on a wider scale.
Complementing the visual inspiration, WCG has planned a series of presentations and activities to shed light on a variety of topics. These discussions are targeted at both students and staff, aiming to create an inclusive and well-rounded understanding of these issues.
The college has also charted out staff training sessions throughout the week. These sessions will broach a broad spectrum of topics that include drug use, relevant dialogues about drug use, mental health at the workplace, the role of young carers, and handling grief and loss.
Judith Abbott, praising the artistic contribution of the students, reported that the mural is an ideal centerpiece for the week of activities and events scheduled for World Mental Health Day. Despite the activities being focused on raising awareness of mental health, they also provide an opportunity to initiate dialogues and discussions about the overall mental wellbeing, the importance of maintaining it, breaking through the barriers of silence to seek help when feeling low, thus making the most of the support structures available.
These events not just underline the issues at hand but also ensure that an understanding of available support services is instilled among the college community, preparing them to seek help in times of need.
The initiatives running up to the World Mental Health Day at these colleges is a clear indicator of the importance placed on the mental health of individuals in educational institutions. By creating platforms to discuss and understand, the institutions ensure the wellbeing of their community and reassures them that help is just a step away.
