Mental Health Awareness Week: New Wellbeing LibGuides and Reading List

  This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, an annual campaign that raises awareness of mental health and support for people with mental health issues. 

The theme year is kindness, whether that be to yourself or others. With the new worries of COVID-19 on our lives, small gestures of kindness can really make a difference for someone struggling with their mental health.

You can get involved by sharing an act of kindness you've delivered this week, by posting on social media using the hashtag #KindnessMatters. Stuck on ideas to get you started? We've collated some of the best and easiest ways to show kindness to your friends, family, and community during this time. Check out our graphic below.​ 

Don't forget that you need to be kind to yourself too. For more ideas and guidance on how to practice self-care, check out this excellent advice by the mental health charity, Mind.

Life Lounge LibGuides Page 

We are also excited to introduce the new Wellbeing LibGuides page created by the University of Bolton Life Lounge Team. Here you will find out about the online wellbeing support services, and content such as online guided meditations, workshops, and access to LEAP Online modules and the Big White Wall. On the 20th May 2020, the Life Lounge team will be hosting online events on their Wellbeing LibGuides page to mark Mental Health Awareness Week. This will include: 

• Online video workshops hosted by Life Lounge mental health advisors and CBT therapist
• Storytime with Willow, the Pets as Therapy Dog
• Try free meditation and mindfulness courses
• Free workout classes
• Online tutorial on how to practice kindess during social isolation
• Online competitions with a chance to win Amazon vouchers

To get involved just head over to the LibGuides page on 20th May. You can also keep updated by following them on Twitter.

Wellbeing Reading List

Alongside this, we have launched our new Wellbeing Reading List, complete with online resources on a number of subjects, including anxiety, resilience, and mindfulness. You will find eBooks and weblinks for a variety of charities who can offer direct support on a number of issues. 

Have a great week everyone, and stay alert and stay safe.