Get Moving for Mental Health Awareness Week!

As Mental Health Awareness Week approaches (13th to 19th May), let's join hands to prioritise our mental wellbeing by embracing movement! This year's theme revolves around the power of movement to enhance our mental health, and we're excited to invite you to participate.

Why Move More? Movement isn't just about physical fitness; it's a powerful tool for nurturing our mental health. Research has shown that regular physical activity can:

• Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Boost mood and self-esteem.
• Improve sleep quality and cognitive function.
• Enhance overall wellbeing and resilience.

How Can You Get Involved? It's simple! Incorporate more movement into your daily routine, whether it's a brisk walk during lunch breaks, a yoga session after work, or a dance party in your living room. Every little bit counts!

Join us for special activities throughout Mental Health Awareness Week

Early morning stretch class

• Monday 13 May, 9am - Get the week off to a good start by joining in an early morning stretch class on Teams. Click on this link to join the class on the day. 

Meet Colin the assistance therapy dog

• Tuesday 14 may, 12 noon, Meet Colin the assistance therapy dog with his owner Becky who will be walking around the City Campus courtyard

Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshop 

•  Wednesday 15 May 1pm, Anxiety - body and mind: a discussion on how anxiety impacts on our bodies and vice versa. We will share some theory and practical techniques of how-to sooth anxiety through our body. Register to attend the workshop here. 

Care First webinar 

• Wednesday 15 May, 12 noon -12.45pm: Attend our webinar session "Care First: Moving More for Our Mental Health." Learn about the benefits of movement and how Care First supports mental wellbeing. Register for the webinar here.

Community Inclusion Team Drop-in

• Wednesday 15 May, 12.30 pm - 2.30 pm: The Black Country Community Inclusion Team, is hosting drop-in sessions to provide guidance on mental health and well-being for both staff and students, ground floor of the Harrison Library, City Campus. 

Period Dignity packing

• Wednesday 15 May, from 10am in the FSE Community Hub, ground floor of Alan Turing Building, City Campus. 

Wear It Green Day

• Thursday 16 May -  Wear It Green Day - Show your support for Mental Health Awareness Week by wearing green (tag your social photos #WearItGreen, #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek)  

Campus Walk for Wellness! 

• Friday 17 May, 12.15pm-1pm staff and students Walk and Talk

Meeting Point: City Campus Sports Centre Reception, Ambika Paul Building 

Come along to this one-off Walk and Talk session in West Park, Wolverhampton. Boost your productivity by taking a breather from study whilst enjoying meaningful conversations, or simply relish the tranquillity of nature. All students and staff are warmly welcomed.

Park Yoga 

Park Yoga takes place every Sunday morning, 9.30 am – 10.30 am, from 5 May to 15 September. Find out more about Park Yoga.  

WLV Gym

Check out the Let's Move Wolves programme of pay-as-you-go social sports (just £2 per session) as well as exercise classes and other gym facilities available at wlv.ac.uk/gym.  Look out for more information and resources from WLV Sport during Mental Health Awareness Week including Special offers from WLV gym and free taster sessions. 

Resources for inspiration

• Explore the Mental Health Foundation's website for valuable insights and tips on incorporating movement into your life: Boost your mental health by moving more | Mental Health Foundation.

• We Are Undefeatable has lots of resources (e.g. posters, videos) and ideas for regular physical activity for all ages/abilities Ways to Move - We Are Undefeatable and WAU_5in5_Booklet_V4 (weareundefeatable.co.uk)
• NHS apps: get running with couch to 5k and NHS Active 10 Walking Tracker 
• Jolly Joggers Wolverhampton
• Wolves Foundation run several projects to support mental health and physical activity: Health & Wellbeing - Wolves Foundation

Let's Move Together: Share your moments of movement on social media using the hashtags #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and #MomentsForMovement. Let's inspire each other to prioritize our mental health through movement!

Remember, small steps lead to big changes. Let's move towards better mental wellbeing, one step at a time!

Mental health and wellbeing support from the University 

• Check out the programme of upcoming Weekly Wellbeing sessions online - book onto a session. 
• Student Life drop ins and appointments: Get face-to-face support on disability and inclusion, mental health & wellbeing, and hardship funding issues. Find out more. 
• Register for support from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team and access a range of self-help resources, as well as internal and external support at wlv.ac.uk/mhw. 
• Access WLV Student Life Connect for free, confidential and impartial support and advice, 24/7. Through the WLV Student Life Connect platform all our students can access advice, guidance, and support on a wide range of care issues, health issues, benefits and entitlements, relationships, childcare, anxiety, depression and more. The platform also offers legal advice and information from legal specialists.
• Find more helpful support and information from a range of student services across the university at wlv.ac.uk/support.