WIT Students' Union Holds Positive Mental Health Week 2012

Positive Mental Health Week 2012 Jan 23rd - 26th 2012

FREE HUGS, Oversized Board Games, and Massages are the order of the day as W.I.T Gears up to get positive!

Bye Bye January Blues- A month - not know for being popular - Research show's it's full thirty-one days continue to be a tough and challenging time for many people. Students are returning from Christmas break, awaiting exam results, rent and bills are due .. it all seems to come at once.

From Monday 23^rd to Thursday 26^th of January W.I.T Students' Union will host a series of events to mark "Positive Mental Health Week". The aim is to raise awareness of mental health issues, to actively support those suffering with mental illness, to remove stigma and highlight the availability of support services.

Throughout the week W.I.T-SU will be encouraging students to be conscious of their own mental health, to look after it, and dispel misconceptions about mental health problems among young people in Ireland. Organisations from across the country including Reachout.com, Headstrong, and See Change will be on campus providing support and information.

Students' Union Welfare Officer Denise McCarthy says, "Each year more people die at their own hands than on our roads and yet suicide is still not talked about openly. Depression affects 1 in 5 people and 1 in 4 will experience a mental health problem. We're asking students to look after themselves and those around them. Don't be afraid to ask a classmate or colleague, "How are you today?" It seems simple but you can make a difference by showing just a little support"

On campus events and activities will get underway from Monday - kicking off with a talk from Rugby Legend Alan Quinlan who will be discussing his personal issues and experiences with Mental illness. Speaking ahead of the event the former Ireland and Munster star said, "Mental Health is such an important issue, we as a nation have to be conscious that it's everywhere we need to remove stigma, there needs to be a comfort zone where we can start to talk about real issues. Having been a sufferer myself of well-documented mental health issues, I am delighted to launch such a fantastic campaign by Waterford Institute of Technology's Students' Union. Taking care of your mind is vital and I'm looking forward to working with students and staff at the college in spreading this key message"

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

CONTACT

Denise Mc Carthy - 086 7854402

WIT.SU Welfare Officer

welfare@witsu.ie

OR

Conor Doyle - 086 785 44 20

WIT.SU President

president@witsu.ie