The project, launched in October 2007, is a five-year peer-led mental health project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and managed by NUS-USI and Rethink NI.
Students and mental health
Research shows that incidents in mental ill health are quite high among the student population.
Evidence shows that one in four students will experience a mental health problem whilst at college or university.
There are a number of problems identified with the transition between school and college/univerity, including: challenge of leaving home, seperating from parents/family members, finding identity as an adult and your place in the world, managing a budget, loneliness and coping with study.
Led by students for students
Open Your Mind aims to utilise the skills and expertise of NUS-USI and Rethink NI in order to develop a mental health campaign that is run by students for students.
This project hopes to provide an inclusive, informative an exciting campaign for students with and without mental illness.
The project will promote awareness of mental health issues amongst students aged 16-25 across Northern Ireland, reduce the risk factors related to mental illness through awareness raising and overcome the stigma and discrimination asociated with mental illness.
Volunteers will be recruited from the student body on an annual basis. The volunteers will then be trained in a number of courses and will develop and lead the mental health campaign in their campus. Students will benefit from accredited training in mental health awareness and peer education.
Elaine Kelly is the project co-ordinator. Her role will involve networking with colleges and universities, developing a marketing strategy for the project, developing training for volunteers, and keeping up-to-date with local, national and international policies on mental health.
Training Opportunities
Would you like FREE ACCREDITED TRAINING in areas such as Understanding Mental Health and Stress Management?
Open Your Mind delivers a Mental Health Awareness and Personal Development Programme FREE to students in Further and Higher Education in Northern Ireland.
Contact edward.pinkney@nistudents.org for more details.
If you would like more information on Open Your Mind, email edward.pinkney@nistudents.org or call on 028 9024 464.