The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year, and this year St Mary’s Students’ Union did too! Mental health problems can affect anyone, any day of the year, but 10 October was a great day to show our support for better mental health and to start looking after our own wellbeing.

The day provided an opportunity for everyone to talk about their mental health and consider what needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide. The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is the raising of awareness around the world and the mobilizing of efforts in support of mental health. This year's theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, was Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World, so what better people to support it than our very own student body?

Within our Students’ Union, as part of our day of recognition, we showed support for the local non-profit organization Everglow and their release of an excellent new video promoting mental health awareness. Many thanks to our very own student Neal McGrath for his amazing work in helping to film and co-produce this piece.

We all need to take care of our mental health and wellbeing whether we have a mental health problem or not. Mental wellbeing describes how you are feeling and how well you can cope with day-to-day life. It can change from moment to moment, day to day, month to month or year to year. Our Students’ Union would suggest some practical steps you can take to improve and maintain your wellbeing including making time for yourself, building positive relationships, eating well, asking for help, caring for others and getting active.