Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Monday 21st to Sunday the 27th January 2013

Mental Health Awareness Week

After preparing for this week for so long, it finally arrived! I'm going to stick to my favourite bits - and I've even numbered them!

1. Taking photos of societies

I went to several society gatherings this week and last, and made some posters. Not only was it lovely to meet you all, but it was an enormous pleasure that you were taking part in Mental Health Awareness Week. Unravelling the pieces of paper that people had scribbled "yes" or "no" onto, was incredible. Each slip of paper was anonymous - and with every "yes" I wondered who you had told, if anyone, and how you were doing. I wondered if that piece of paper was the only one that knew. I'd like to thank Voices of Holloway, Gospel Choir, IFIS, Ultimate Frisbee, MTS, Amnesty, the Dance Society committee and finally Exec for taking part in this project.

2. Let's Talk About Mental Health

Previously a little nervous about how the talk would work - it turned out to be fantastic. Each speaker (and contributor) was honest and yet open minded to others experiences. People felt comfortable to talk to each other about what was and wasn't useful - we even touched on the experiences of the family, that mental health is a class issue and also how it disproportionately affects BME. These were all things I'd never really thought about (despite preparing for this week for so long!). We were slowly breaking down the stigma surrounding Mental Health. We talked about how to work it out, where to seek help and what kind of support friends and family can provide.

3. Mental Health Stall in the SU on Tuesday

Tuesday = market day. Kenny and Tina (SU advisory services) took the stall for a bit, and then I took over. It was lovely to see people cautiously come up to the stand - we had so much information, so many cool postcards, so many helplines that you couldn't help but walk away with a couple in your pocket! It was nice to talk to people to see what they knew about Mental Health Awareness Week already, but more importantly, what they knew about mental health!

An enormous shout out to Kenny and Jamie, because together we made the week happen.

Say "I do" to Equal Marriage!

Philip Hammond

This gentleman is our local MP, and he disagrees with same-sex marriage. He came to Holloway for a talk this Friday, and up to 60 people turned up to protest outside when he entered the building. As Equality & Liberation Officer I believe in marriage between people who love each other, so sex really doesn't come into it. We chanted with our banners, and Jack and Joe had a short interview with the MP. I suppose that if I was hoping for him to change his mind and agree with us, then I was naive. You can find the excellent report on the interview, written by Jack here: http://anticuts.com/2013/01/25/philip-hammond-homophobia/

The turn out was fantastic, so thank you to all of those who came to stand in the cold and the dark to prove to our MP that we do care about how he votes, and that he should think about that. 

http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/

Save Lewisham Hospital

Are you fed up of seeing me being revolting in a red beret? Then look away now!

Lewisham Hospital in London is facing threats of cuts to it's new A&E, it's intensive care and Maternity and children's services. The truth is that this Hospital performs very well, and serves 750,000 Londoners - it shouldn't be cut. At the last demonstration for this cause, there were 15,000 marchers. This time there were 25,000! It was a beautiful day, and although the walk was long the young children were very entertaining to watch. I haven't been on many Demos, but this was the first community march I had been on. There were dogs and children, families with grandparents and aunts - many holding signs revealing the date that Lewisham Hospital had played a part in their lives. It was lovely. Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary will decide come February. Find out more by clicking on the link of the above photo.

Save Lewisham A&E

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. There is a service in the Chapel at RHUL at 6pm, find it on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/504382472956073/

That's all from me this week!

Mental Health Awareness Week - A Perspective

A little while ago, I was part of a facebook group that was looking for submissions on mental health. They wanted the experiences of friends and family as well, and so I wrote this short piece for them. I think it's appropriate to share it here and now, for Mental Health Awareness Week.
It's written to be read aloud, and is dedicated to several friends of mine.

"It turns out that the people around me, the ones I care about, have had troubles all their life. They only told me when they had perspective, when it felt like the worst was over. I think I’m grateful for that, really. Now I feel like I can listen, truly listen.

I’ve learnt so much - not to push, but to wait. To challenge gently. To be supportive, but to admit when I just don’t understand. To be honest. 

You have taught me so much, all of you. And none of you know about the existence of the other. I might have mentioned a nameless friend of a friend who had felt a little like what you had said you felt...so that you know that you’re not alone. But you know that no two experiences are identical.

Do you know how strong I find you? It’s incredible that after so many tough boulders, so many big things to be dealt with in small actions, you’ve fought through to be in this place where you can talk about it, if you want to, or forget it for a while, if you choose. 

You have the biggest heart. You love, even though you’re afraid. You think of everyone, always making sure that other people are ok. You listen to me when I have small, silly worries! Most of all, you’ve taught me not to judge, not even a little bit. You accept everyone so whole-heartedly, I respect you for it. 

I respect you for the things that I don’t understand, but that you know too well. 

Sometimes, it makes me sad. I wish I was a mirror, so you could look in my eyes and see what I see in you. A strong person, an independent and loving person. Someone who has been hurt and who fought it. Someone who fights it today too, sometimes. A person who can admit when they’re finding it hard. A person who manages this on top of work, a degree, volunteering, a family, children, friends, housemates, housework, doctors appointments, counseling sessions. All of this. You only let people down when you really have to  - and even so you avoid doing that at all costs. I respect that. I see beauty, in your smile, because I know that for a time it was rare. The same for your laugh. I see you as untouchable by fear or doubt...but I guess you have to get good at hiding that kind of thing.  So I respect you so much more when you let me in, for a moment, for an hour, for a day. Each moment with you is precious. 

I want you to know this on bad days. I want you to know this when your spoons run out and you’re tired. I want you to know that I’ll always have a place for you. 

I know, that when things get really bad you won’t call me. But a little while later, you’ll write me a letter or we’ll go out for coffee and have a chat. 

And then I am so glad, to have you back."

Mental Health Awareness Week is upon us!

Monday 14th to Sunday 20th January 2013

NUS Liberation Conferences

Congratulations to all of you who ran in the General Meeting! The NUS Liberation conferences are happening later this year, and we are sending some very fine delegates (that were voted for by you!). If you have any issues you would like them to address on a national level, then please do let them know. If you get in touch with me, I'll be more than happy to put you in touch with the right people! 

Congratulations to:

NUS Womens - Susuana, Rose, Hodan

NUS Disabled Students - Matthew

NUS Black Students - Kenny (Our very VPEdWelfare!)

NUS LGBT - Moose, Jack, Toby and Young

Matthew is also running for NUS Disabled Students Officer at his conference. You can find out more information here: https://www.facebook.com/Matt4NUSDSO?fref=ts.

Some facts on Mental Health.

Mental Health Awareness Week

After having gone around campus last term, taking photos of your wonderful selves with placards highlighting the prevalence of mental health issues - they are now up! You can check them out online here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=a.269415586521296.63629.225648467564675&type=3.

I'm now taking photos of Societies to help raise awareness. If your society is meeting up this week, then we could use your help! I will take a photo of you all, and get you to write anonymously on a small piece of paper whether you've ever had a mental health problem. It allows us to pull up statistics and raise awareness without outing people. Send me a message if your society doesn't mind if I borrow them for 5minutes! Email me at eandl@su.rhul.ac.uk.

There are plenty of events going on, including a discussion by students. Monday is typically the most depressing day of the year, yet our Sabbatical Officers have turned it into "Happy Monday". Pop along to the SU between 11am and 4pm for a bouncy castle, candy floss, information and hugs. Actually - I'm not sure about the hugs, but that can be arranged! You guessed it - there will also be a Let's Talk About Mental Health! That's happening this Thursday. You can find the list of events, and when/where they will be here: https://www.facebook.com/events/126236727543943/?fref=ts. It's well worth taking a look. This has all been set up to support students such as ourselves, and you never know which of your friends it could benefit most. 

Photos I've been taking to promote the week.

Zero Tolerance Security Staff Training

This Thursday I gave Zero Tolerance training to the SU Security staff. Although we have accepted the policy and been accredited as a Zero Tolerance Union, we're trying to make it something that will last even after we've left. That's one of the tough parts about this role - making sure that this will work even after we've left! The training went fairly well. I've made small business cards which explain what Sexual Harassment is and where you can find support if you have been a victim of it - these will be handed out to you if you go to a Security member on a night out. Joe (Union Chair) and Doug (President) have made a form for the victim to fill out if they choose to report it. Together, we're constructing a more durable system! If you think we could improve it, then please let us know. 

Inclusion & Representation Senate

We met on Tuesday (as per usual!) and talked about Mental Health Awareness Week. Some amazing stuff is happening! We're also sketching plans for LGBT History Month this February and Womens History Month this March. If you would like to be involved - you know what to do. Do not be afraid of the time commitment, we could use whatever you can offer!

We're also setting the wheels in motion for a talk on Liberation, and also a Body Positivity Campaign. 

Remember - next year my role will disappear and be replaced by four new officers - Women and Marginalised Gender, LGBT+, BME and Disabled. Are you considering running? Get in touch and I will tell you everything you need to know - how much time it takes, what you'll be doing, who you'll be working with and how. Curiosity never killed anyone (apart from a cat, and satisfaction brought it back anyway). 

Strictly Come Holloway

In other news, I am dancing ballroom. No, your eyes don't deceive you! It's pretty tough doing the fancy footwork without looking at your feet! We've had a few practice sessions so far and my dance partner Tomasso is very patient with me. I'm going to work really hard on being graceful, I promise!

The event is February the 7th, and I will be competing against the likes of Jamie Green(VPComCam), Adam Carver, Ciara Williams and Calum Roy.  Good luck to all of the contestants - may the best dancing pair win! Come along, you can find the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/435061423234517/?ref=ts&fref=ts

Enjoy the Snow!

January 2013 - Terrifying Term Begins!

And so the term begins. The next big holiday coming is Easter, and you know that most of that will be spent revising and worrying and doing practice exams. We've come through the entire education system, you think we'd be used to the end of year exams! Yet it's a surprise every time.

This is a quick early blog post, because I'm actually going to be away from tomorrow for a week.

BUT! I wasn't going to just leave you all! I wanted to wish you a fantastic start of term, I hope that you are returning well rested and content. Let the academia begin!

There are some really exciting campaigns coming, not to mention Mental Health Awareness Week in the third week of January. The Inclusion & Representation Senate are going to hold an informal talk by students and for students on personal experiences. Obviously, this is a sensitive subject, but it is important that we talk about it. If you think you would like to be a speaker at this event, just get in touch at eandl@su.rhul.ac.uk and I'll get back to you next weekend!

We are also going to do a short video to raise awareness. Here, we will have students who have mental health problems introduce themselves, their course, and where they're from. Mental health does not define us, and this video is to help raise that awareness. Many students have signed up for this, so again, if you would like to be a part of it then please get in touch.
It will be like this video (this is one of my favourite videos, it makes me so happy!) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irV-DsuOpHU

Are you part of a society? Because we need you! I want to take a quick photo, (yes, you guessed it, for Mental Health Awareness Week!) of your society. Let us know where you will be in the next two weeks, we'll pop up and not even take five minutes of your time! Message us on this page: https://www.facebook.com/SURHUL.Inclusion

Now - as you may be aware, next year the Equality & Liberation Officer position will vanish and four new positions will open up. They are: Women & Marginalised Gender Officer, Disabled Officer, Black & Minority Ethnicity Officer, and last but not least Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans + Officer. We would like to hold a talk on liberation officers - so who would you like to hear from? Or even if you're thinking about running for one of these roles, get in touch and I will tell you what it involves. I can tell you right here and now, it's one of the most rewarding roles I have ever had the honour of having.

The I&R Senate won't be meeting this Tuesday - but next Tuesday at 5pm you can find us at Rialto in the SU! Upcoming plans include a body positivity campaign. You know what to do if you're interested!

FINALLY! I am continuing my radio show this term - would you like to be on the show? All you have to do is choose six songs that mean something to you and six facts about yourself, and that's all we'll talk about. Trust me, it's a very enjoyable experience!

P.s. Stick to your New Years resolutions if you can! Good luck!