SERC Hosts Time to Talk Mental Health Events

Time to Talk Day, which took place on 2 February, is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. Happening every year, it’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and improve mental wellbeing for everyone by breaking down the stigma of talking about mental health. 

During the week, SERC’s Mind Yourself and Students Unions staff organised several events to promote Time to Talk Day and to get SERC staff and students talking about mental health. 

These included:  

• Stalls at SERC’s Refresher Fairs that provided staff and students with information on mental health and wellbeing. 
• A Mind Yourself App demo to familiarise staff with the App and how to access mental health services and support available through the Mind Yourself programme. 
• A ‘Coffee and Connect’ event taking place in the College restaurants where staff can relax and talk to each other over tea and coffee. 
• 30-minute Care and Support sessions for staff to attend on a one-to-one basis, involving a confidential coaching conversation to focus on their health and wellbeing with a qualified counsellor via MS teams. 
• ‘Time to Talk and Walk’ events encouraging all staff and students to talk to and listen to each other about their mental health while on a half hour walk near campuses. 
• ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ sessions which outline what the 5 Steps to Wellbeing are and how the key steps of Connecting, Learning, Being Active, Taking Notice and Giving can help and support personal wellbeing. 
• The launch of ‘Chatty Benches’ - designated areas for people to sit down on a bench or seat and just have a chat, encouraging face-to-face interaction and lasting friendships. 

Emma Carson, HR Service Manager, comments, “Each year the College actively participates in Time to Talk Day. This is an important day in the calendar for raising awareness and promoting time for everyday conversation about mental health amongst staff and students. In conjunction with Students Union, we were delighted this year to offer more initiatives. We have seen an increase in the uptake over the week with staff and students availing of opportunities, such as visiting information stands and providers at Refreshers Fairs, participating in facilitated Time to Talk Walks, the Feel-Good Look Good beauty event in our Downpatrick Campus, attending the 5 Steps to Wellbeing sessions, and Coffee and Connect mornings.” 

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