Positive mental health and wellbeing for staff and students is important to the University of Aberdeen. We should all take responsibility for our own mental health and wellbeing and help look out for our colleagues and students.
We recognise that there are factors, both in and outwith the University, which will impact on mental health and wellbeing.
We want to foster a culture in which staff and students feel encouraged to discuss mental health and wellbeing concerns so that the appropriate support can be provided. No one should feel that they need to deal with this on their own.
The University is actively engaging with the community so we can further improve and promote the range of support mechanisms we currently have in place, and we’d like your input. These discussions will feed into the work of the University’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Working Group (chaired by Professor Margaret Ross) and will inform the University’s new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
If you would like to get involved, or have experience which will inform this development stage, please contact Janine Chalmers, Equality and Diversity Adviser by telephone 01224 273883 or e-mail janine.chalmers@abdn.ac.uk.
As part of this initiative, the University is pleased to announce that it will be training staff volunteers to become Wellbeing Coordinators. Our Wellbeing Coordinators will be members of staff who will engage with colleagues who may be seeking advice, guidance or support on wellbeing issues such as personal or work-related stress, maintaining a healthy work/life balance, the impact of workplace bullying and harassment and managing positive working relationships.
The service will be confidential providing a friendly, listening ear. Wellbeing Coordinators will undertake this role alongside their usual University positions.
If you have the skills to support colleagues who wish to discuss wellbeing or have experience which will inform this development stage, please contact Janine Chalmers, Equality and Diversity Adviser by telephone 01224 273883 or e-mail janine.chalmers@abdn.ac.uk.
There will be regular updates on the progress of this initiative. If you are looking for a way to boost your mental wellbeing during the working day, you may wish to attend a mindfulness or meditation session over lunchtime. Book your space through the course booking system https://www.abdn.ac.uk/coursebooking/ or by e-mailing staffdevelopment@abdn.ac.uk.
There are also some good suggestions and quick tips on the Mental Health Foundation website and NHS Choices.