Where’s Your Head At? Supporting Mental Health on Campus

The biggest challenge facing those with mental health issues is the stigma surrounding the subject.

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is hosting a range of activities, themed “Where’s your head at?”, across its five campuses in an effort to open up the conversation and raise awareness around mental health this week.

Toi Ohomai Health Centre Team Leader Turuhira Marino says the goal of the week’s activities is to equip students with all the tools they need to help combat mental health challenges and to avoid stigmatising people.

She says the activities will run from Tuesday, 17 September, to Thursday, 19 September – one week before New Zealand Mental Health Awareness Week – to support students who are studying for exams and give them an opportunity to use these tools when they’re feeling stressed.

“We hope that, by that hosting these activities a week earlier, we’ll give students some awareness around the tools they can use while they’re preparing for their upcoming tests and assessments,” says Turuhira. 

“We want to help staff and students combat any mental health challenges; whether it be related to studies, relationships and life in general, and hope these simple messages will help them with any challenges that they may face.”

“Where’s your head at?” activities will incorporate the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ guidelines as set out by the Mental Health Foundation.

These include:
•    Connect (talk, listen, be there, feel connected)
•    Give (your time, your words, your presence)
•    Take Notice (remember the simple things that give you joy)
•    Keep Learning  (embrace new experiences, see opportunities, surprise yourself)
•    Be Active (Do what you can, enjoy what you do, move your mood)

The week’s activities will include free massages, multisport challenges, guided meditation and creative reflection.