Mental Health Awareness Week: 17-20 May

In conjunction with the Mental Health Foundation's Mental Health Awareness Week, Middlesex University presents a week-long programme of activities and talks to raise awareness of mental health issues.

The Mental Health Foundation states ‘Healthy and supportive relationships reduce the risk of mental ill-health. This Mental Health Awareness Week we are celebrating the connections, the relationships, the people in our lives that add to our wellbeing and protect and sustain our mental health. From family and friends, to colleagues and neighbours; taking notice of those connections that make you feel safe and supported.

At Middlesex University we support and actively promote this through our work and MDX Let’s Talk events and the many awareness weeks and days are on the national calendar. Middlesex University’s involvement is influential in a growing community of staff, students, partners and public who make vital contributions to the cultural and social wellbeing of the societies in which we live and work. Built upon the success of MDX Let’s Talk and Mental Health Awareness week 2015 we hope you enjoy these events for 2016.

Tuesday 17th May

Start End Subject Facilitators Location 11:00 12:00 Mental health stigma and relationships MANDOWN is a short film written by Alan Bradley and Francis Quigley to raise awareness of the shockingly high rates of suicide amongst young men.  It aims to help men better support each other through mental health problems such as depression.  It’s a powerful and moving film with a simple message on the importance of being available to talk to our mates when they’re feeling down. The film showing will be followed by a talk / Q&A by the film-makers on their journey making the film and their hopes for its impact. Richard Barry (School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University) College Building CG09 12:00 14:00 Chill Out Space MDXSU will be providing a comfortable space for  students to relax, listen to music, eat their lunch,  take a break from studying or chill out  between exams. Students will be able to get advice and support for their course including planning for the year ahead. MDXSU Located on the green space between the College Building and the Grove 12:00 14:00 Yoga Session Free yoga and meditation sessions of will also be offered to help relieve stress. Located on the green space between the College Building and the Grove 12:00 13:00 The Psychoanalytic Relationship Dr Julia Barossa (School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University) College Building CG11 13:00 14:00 The value of empathy Dr David Westley (School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University) College Building CG09 14:00 15:00 Gratitude, compassion, resilience and relationships Ruxandra Anghel and Leonie Cachie (School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University) College Building CG11 Wednesday 18th May Start End Subject Facilitators Location 10:00 11:00 Transcultural Mental Health  ‘’Culture matters!’’ What effect does culture have on beliefs and behaviours, and how is this connected  to the relationship of how health care is provided? The session will encourage participants to explore cultural stereotypes and myths using their own culture as a backdrop. Lawarence Dadzie & Laura Foley (School of Health and Education, Middlesex University) College Building CG51 11:00 12:00 The First (Dysfunctional) Family Genesis, the first book of the Bible is one great big family saga. We meet people dealing with the tensions of being a couple, learning to parent their children, and messily acting out the love - and hate - we all feel towards our families. In this session we will look at the story of Cain and Abel and use it to consider sibling rivalry, and existential angst. Zahavit Shalev College Building CG51 12:30 13:30 Filming showing: CALM – a short film tackling depression in young men Alan Bradley & Richard Barry College Building CG51 14:00 15:00 Facebook, social media and the meaning of relationships Aaron Balick (Registered Psychotherapist) College Building CG51 18:00 19:00 Dementia and Relationships Mohammad Siab TBC Thursday 19th May Start End Subject Facilitators Location 10:30 11:30 An introduction to relational thinking Ariel Nathanson (Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist,  Portman Clinic) College Building CG51 12:00 13:00 How to find the perfect partner – matters of relationship satisfaction Dr Mark Coulson (School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University) College Building CG51 13:00 14:00 Attachment and relationships Professor Toni Bifulco (School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University) College Building CG48 14:00 15:30 They F*** you up Ivor Baddiel (Scriptwriter, author, comedian) in conversation with Dr Fiona Starr (School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University) College Building CG51 15:00 17:00 Stigma's impact upon the mental health among autism caregivers You will be introduced to different forms of autism-related stigma, moving to "courtesy-stigma" and, in particular, "self-stigma" which is a powerful psychological phenomenon with implications for mental health and relationships yet frequently overlooked. You will then hear about a planned study that the speaker will be leading later this year on protecting autism caregivers from the impact of stigma and will be given the opportunity to put forward your ideas and thoughts upon what might make the planned intervention more successful. Dr Chris Papadopoulos (Senior Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Bedfordshire, and founder of the 'London Autism Group' and 'London Autism Research Advisory Group’) College Building CG48 Friday 20th May Start End Subject Facilitators Location 11:00 12:00 Sexual violence Dr Joanna Adler and Dr Susan Hansen (School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University) College Building CG48 12:00 13:00 Relating to and through Dyslexia Dr Nicola Brunswick (School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University) College Building CG10 13:00 16:00 Diversity Jam MDXSU will be building on the theme of relationships by celebrating some of the diverse groups we have on campus. Our student-led societies and assemblies represent unique cultural, religious, and lifestyle-oriented groups. They will be creating awareness about their group with a presentation, performance or stall in the Quad. MDXSU Quad 13:00 15:00 Mental Health and the Community Local voluntary mental health services and information on their expertise Barnet Voice 14:30 16:00 What is therapy and how does it work? Professor Brett Kahr (Author, Senior Clinical Research Follow in Psychotherapy and Mental Health at the Centre for Child Mental Health, Chair of the British Society of Couple Psychotherapists and Counsellors) in  conversation with Andrea Oskis (School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University)