UCL Engineering marks World Mental Health Day 2023

The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day every year on 10 October. This year’s theme is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’. Many people may deal with challenges to their mental health over the course of their lives. The UCL community of staff and students is no exception -- in May 2023, absence due to mental health accounted for 34% of all staff absence. While stigma and discrimination are decreasing, many people still find it challenging to speak about mental health issues.

At UCL Engineering, we’re working every day to create a culture where all members of our community feel comfortable speaking about mental health, and feel able to seek support when needed. To help facilitate this, the Faculty currently has over 200 trained Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders) within the team, including academics, researchers and professional services staff. MHFAiders can be a point of contact for anyone who is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. MHFAiders are able to listen with empathy and offer information on how to access further support. This interaction could range from having an initial conversation through to supporting the person to get appropriate help. As well as in a crisis, Mental Health First Aiders are valuable in providing early intervention help for someone who may be developing a mental health issue.

Within the Faculty, we are proud of, and grateful for, the members of our community who have decided to become Mental Health First Aiders. In the video below, four UCL Engineering MHFAiders discuss the importance of breaking the silence around mental health, as well as their role and their motivations for becoming Mental Health First Aid trained.

In addition to Mental Health First Aid, UCL Engineering also offers Mental Health Aware training – this is a short course to help everyone understand mental health, and how to talk about it, a little better.

Want to speak to someone about your mental health? Contact a Mental Health First Aider. Are you a staff member interested in training as a Mental Health First Aider or taking the Mental Health Aware course? Register your interest.

Look out for further information and events around mental health in the Faculty.