The College's Occupational Health Service and Sport Imperial are running free activities from today, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

This year’s campaign focuses on the theme of physical activity. According to the Mental Health Foundation, which runs the awareness raising campaign, regular physical activity can increase self-esteem and reduce stress and anxiety. It can also play a role both in preventing and alleviating mental health issues.

A series of events are taking place at the South Kensington campus from today coincide with the week, including meditation classes and occupational health drop in sessions.

Claire O’Brien, Director of Occupational Health said: “We demand a lot of ourselves  - balancing work, studies and family life, yet very few of us talk about our mental health and wellbeing and fewer still invest in it. Regular exercise can boost self-esteem and help with concentration and sleep. The great news is you don’t need any special training or equipment to reap the rewards from going for a brisk walk at lunch time.”

Claire added: “The College has a wide choice of exercise programmes run by Sport Imperial and the Union’s clubs and societies. Now that we have bright mornings and evenings we’re encouraging people this week to think about ways to fit more exercise into their schedules.”

All activities are free for staff and students to attend and are on a first come, first served basis.

• Monday 14.00 – 14.40 Stress Less information session – SALC 7
• Explore strategies on how to slow down, have more work life balance and strengthen your stress response.
• Monday 13.00 – 17.00 Occupational health drop-in session – SALC 1
• Tuesday 09.30 – 11.30 Active Lifestyle drop in session – SALC 7
• Wednesday 12.00 – 12.40 Relax your mind at your desk – meditation made easy – SALC 1
• Learn a meditation skill that you can use as you commute, at your desk and at home. Quick tips on how to de-clutter your head space and go from noise to peace.
• Thursday 13.15 – 13.45 – Creative meditations – SALC Room TBC

Regular free activities offered by Sport Imperial include a Running Club which takes place every Monday from 12.15 -13.00 and Tuesday from 07.15 - 08.00 and group power walking session take place every Wednesday from 12.15 – 13.00. All sessions start and finish at Ethos reception.

Other services and support available for staff and students include:

• Free and confidential counselling for staff and their families
• The Coaching Academy is an additional source of support for staff. Coaching may address specific work-related challenges around people or projects, or issues relating to career development.
• The Equality and Diversity Unit , which provides support, guidance and advice on all equality strands, including age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, as well as harassment, bullying, victimisation and personal concerns
• The Student Counselling Service
• The Disability Advisory Service offers confidential advice and support to students with a disability, specific learning difficulty, enduring health or mental health condition.
• The Chaplaincy Centre offers help, advice and information relating to issues of faith and spirituality to staff and students.

As well as Mental Health Awareness Week, this month also sees the launch of ‘Stress Less’ – a Student Union campaign offering a range of free events and activities for students including yoga, Boxfit and Zumba sessions to relieve stress during the exam period.