University Mental Health Day is on Thursday 14 March 2024. This annual event is organised by Student Minds and the University Mental Health Advisory Network (UMHAN) and aims to raise awareness about student mental health and working together to make it a priority across universities.
Below is a run-down of activities happening on or around University Mental Health Day, but our support and services are available all year round. Discover what’s available and how each service can help you through your studies. You can also find specialised mental health services both within and outside King's that offer support. Or, you can get in touch with your Faculty Wellbeing Advisor (details at the end of this article).
Mental health and wellbeing for everyone is one of our priorities at King’s and we’re continuously finding ways to build on and improve our support and services. We’ve been a member of the Student Minds Mental Health Charter Programme since it started in 2021, and we've recently been accredited with a Student Minds Mental Health Charter Award, recognising our progress so far in our whole-university approach to student mental health. We’ve made improvements such as creating a new Student Wellbeing Team and reducing average wait times for first appointments with our counselling service from three weeks to under two since 2021, but we know there is more to do. Here’s some further examples of how we’ve used your feedback to enhance support for your wellbeing and other areas of your university experience.
Events and activities
Register for events happening on University Mental Health Day, as well as additional events and activities on other dates.
One-to-One Goal Setting Consultations
Book a private consultation with a behavioural change expert, to explore your goal possibilities and be guided to make that first important step.
Sport & Wellness Centre. Register here.
One-to-One Physiotherapy Consultations
These private sessions are designed to cater to your individual needs, offering expert guidance and support to address your physical wellbeing.
Sport & Wellness Centre. Register here.
Wellness Retreat
Immerse yourself in a calming 45-minute yoga session, to ease tension and create a sense of inner peace.
Sport & Wellness Centre. Register here.
Time Out Tuesdays and What's On Wednesdays
Unwind, make friends or get support with an issue at these KCLSU & King's collaborative sessions.
Tuesday 12 March 13:00 - 15:00: Guy’s KCLSU AR5, and Denmark Hill KCLSU
Wednesday 13 March 13:00 - 15:00: The Shack at Bush House, and Waterloo Wellness Centre
Thursday 14 March 10:00 - 18:30: Waterloo Wellness Centre
Find out more on the Student Services article.
Great King's Run!
Run, jog, walk, skip or dance along a dedicated route by the River Thames and Westminster. The fun run is 5km long with stewards along the way to cheer you on.
King's Student Wellbeing Survey
The King's Student Wellbeing Survey is our way of measuring your wellbeing and developing strategies and initiatives to best support you. Take part in the survey from Monday 4 March 2024 – Thursday 28 March 2024 to receive a free a hot drink credit to spend at King’s Food outlets, and the chance to win one of five King's hoodies.
Get involved with mental health and wellbeing research
Some of the world’s leading mental health research happens at King’s and by taking part, you’re contributing to knowledge about mental health and wellbeing which may help others in future.
A selection of research studies looking for participants is below, and you can find more opportunities in our fortnightly Research Volunteer Recruitment email sent to everyone at King’s.
Understanding Students' Expectations for Forming Social Connections
Researchers at U-Belong need first-year undergraduate students aged 18-22 to help us improve how we measure students' expectations for making social connections at university.If you take part, you will be asked to complete a 15-minute anonymous survey via Qualtrics. The survey will ask you questions about your expectations for your social life at university. The survey will also ask you about your confidence in social situations and your experience of loneliness, as well as some demographic questions. You will be given more information about the contents of the survey before consenting to take part. After completing the survey, you will receive one Love2Shop voucher worth £5 via email.
To take part, go to this page. Contact Hannah.slack@kcl.ac.uk with any queries.
Take part in research with the Institute of Psychiaty, Psychology & Neuroscience and South London and Maudsley (NHS)
Explore and sign up to a wide range of mental health research studies taking place across South London and Maudsley and the IoPPN.
E-Detection Tool for Emerging Mental Disorders (ENTER) study
King's and the University of Glasgow are conducting a study on mental health difficulties among young people. At the end you will receive a £10 Amazon voucher for your time, paid up to two weeks after you have completed the survey. Register to take part.
Time to Thrive: Student-athletes are invited to take part in a new research study about wellbeing and accessing support
Are you a student-athlete competing in any sport? We are excited to invite you to our research study to learn more about student-athletes' attitudes towards wellbeing and any barriers and facilitators to accessing support from the university. We would also like to hear your suggestions on things to consider in designing a programme tailored to your needs.
Lastly, we want to get your feedback on Time to Thrive, a programme developed to support the agency and wellbeing of university students, to see if the materials can apply to student-athletes. Participants in the study will receive a £20 voucher.
If you are interested in signing up or getting more information, please complete this form or email maria_christina.vourda@kcl.ac.uk.