On Thursday 10 October, the University will celebrate World Mental Health Day.
Staff, students and campus partners are invited to a series of events taking place across the Loughborough campus to highlight the day, including free massages, yoga classes, opportunities to speak with Mental Health First Aiders and even a pub quiz.
There will also be two inspiring talks taking place in Room 1 at Loughborough Students’ Union from Matt Jones and Alex da Silva. More information about each of these talks can be found below – please note that they contain themes of a sensitive nature.
- Misadventures in time and space: a writer’s journey through anxiety and depression
Leicestershire native Matt Jones is a television writer and producer. He produced Shameless for its first four seasons and has written for Doctor Who, Torchwood, Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, Mr Selfridge, Dirk Gently and The Split. He also co-created the highly acclaimed musical, Leave to Remain with Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke.
Matt will talk to staff and students candidly and openly about his experience with addiction and depression, and the impact they’ve had on his career. There will be a short Q&A at the end of the session.
Matt will be presenting his talk twice on the day, from 11.15am-12.15pm and 2.45pm-3.45pm.
- My journey from a dying addict to a TEDx speaker, helping to change the world one person at a time
Alex was born in Brazil, where he began his life in a deprived area before moving to the UK aged 11 unable to speak any English. He experienced a strained relationship with his mother and grew up believing his father had died. Throughout his childhood he endured abuse, bullying and anxiety, feeling like he was never good enough.
He went on to become a successful professional but struggled with years of mental health and addiction issues, and at his lowest points, he tried to take his own life. Alex will talk through his journey from being at rock bottom to the powerful changes in his mindset and inner strength that got him to where he is now.
Alex will also be running his talk twice on 10 October: 10am-11am and 12:30pm-1:30pm.
If you are interested in attending either of the talks, you can register your free place by clicking on the links for each session above.
Don’t forget the University will also be holding a Mental Health Mates walk, with Loughborough the first UK higher education institution to do so.
It will start at the Hazlerigg Rutland Fountain at 1pm, and all are welcome to attend. Mental Health Mates was set up by bestselling author and journalist Bryony Gordon as a national network of peer support groups, meeting regularly to talk and walk without fear or judgement. It’s a great chance to get some fresh air and exercise around our beautiful campus whilst connecting with peers and colleagues too.
For more information about the events, please contact Nadine Skinner by emailing N.Skinner@lboro.ac.uk.