What Does Mental Health Mean to You?
Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 is all about celebrating community, and how it supports our mental health and wellbeing.
As a part of our community, we asked Counselling staff and students what mental health means to them.
“I believe that one of the most useful skills we possess is our awareness of our own limits, and to not be afraid to ask for help when needed, or to simply acknowledge when we cannot or should not commit to something that will impact our mental health. We have so much more to offer when we are mentally healthy.”
Donna, Counselling lecturer
“Mental Health for me means being aware of myself and my own needs and being able to put them to the forefront sometimes in a world that makes more and more demands on us... Having good mental health helps me to understand my emotions; to build and maintain healthy relationships around me and this is very much an ongoing and active process and will continue to be.”
Teresa, Curriculum Team Leader – Counselling
“To me, mental health means being able to think clearly, feel deeply, and respond to life in a way that feels true to who I am. When my mental health is steady, I can handle what life throws at me. But there are times when it slips, and even simple things feel heavy. I think of it like the weather—most days are bright, but sometimes a storm comes through. It might last an hour or a few days, but I remind myself it won’t stay like this forever.”
Sarah, Counselling Student
"What mental health means to me is a tricky question but I personally feel it's the ability to bounce back from whatever the world throws at you and keep on moving forward"
John, Counselling Student
How can you support your mental health?
How to support mental health varies person to person and community to community. That’s why our community of staff and students have teamed up to create a little guide filled with tips and stories > Well-being Mini Guide
We have a range of support available to you during your studies with us > Mental health and wellbeing
About Mental Health Awareness Week
Since 2001, the Mental Health Foundation has been leading Mental Health Awareness Week - bringing the UK together to focus on getting good mental health. Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense purpose.