Olivia spreads the word on mental health
THE president of Edge Hill Students’ Union’s Student Minds Society, Olivia Williams, recently appeared on BBC News to discuss the impact of mental health issues on students.
Her appearance followed the release of data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which shows that student suicide rates have risen by more than a fifth since a decade ago.
The Student Minds Society was set up by Edge Hill students, many of whom have suffered with mental health problems during their time in higher education, with the aim of raising awareness of issues.
The group also gives support to fellow struggling students, and aims to remove the stigma attached to mental health.
Mental health support for students is a priority for Edge Hill Students’ Union, and, as well as offering a confidential advice centre which prides itself on being a place that “listens, takes students seriously, and never judges”, it also has a network of student officers and reps who offer peer-to-peer support and a point of contact for students in need.
In the interview, Olivia discussed her own battle with mental health issues at university, saying: “Mental health is not going to go away overnight, it’s a constant battle.
“My lecturers were amazing, really understanding.
“We’re lucky that we have got a Students’ Union at Edge Hill that want to improve the mental health of students. The Students’ Union want to work alongside Edge Hill to create a mental health friendly campus.
“I’ve set up a mental health society to give people that community so they know that they are not alone when it comes to mental health. A lot of students do feel like they are alone. Even if it helps one person, I’m happy with that”.
Edge Hill Students’ Union’s vice president welfare, Rosie McKenna, said: “Student mental health is something that, rightly, has been moved to the top of the agenda for Universities UK, and institutions around the country are starting to sit up and listen.
“It’s far from good enough, and much, much more needs to be done.”