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!