Aberystwyth University published a worry and anxiety guide available in Welsh. The practical online guide to living with worry and anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic was written by staff in the department of Welsh and Celtic studies, and was released in line with Mental Health Awareness Week.  

Anxiety and depression experts Fay Short from Bangor University and Ann John from Swansea University published an article sharing tips for mental health. MSc Counselling students at Bangor University also produced a YouTube video with top tips for good mental health. 

Cardiff Metropolitan University marked the ‘Kindness Matters’ campaign with staff and students sharing stories of battling cancer and the kindness that was shown to them, and how mindfulness can help maintain calmness and creativity. Former Welsh Rugby International and Cardiff Metropolitan ambassador Richard Parks also shared his personal account of lockdown in comparison to his recent Antarctic expedition.  

The University also undertook a ‘pulse test’ with staff to ask how they were feeling at this unprecedented time as well as providing links to resources which could help them in their particular circumstances.

Body shot of a woman with long hair using a mobile phone

Cardiff University highlighted Mental Health Awareness Week by sharing information on support and events available to its staff and students. With the ‘be kind to yourself’ theme, the university encouraged people to be kind to themselves and others by giving helpful ideas such as sending a motivational text to a friend who is struggling, or contacting someone you haven’t seen for a while to arrange a phone catch up. The University also released online wellbeing workshops on managing anxiety, building emotional resilience and an introduction to mindfulness.

The Open University Wales made a range of short videos available to support staff wellbeing including, among others, de-stressing, mindfulness, and staying well during challenging times. Staff also had access to an employee assistance programme which provides 24/7 advice on a wide range of topics and access to counselling sessions. 

Swansea University marked Mental Health Awareness Week with a wellbeing month - a fun, engaging and interactive online awareness campaign to remind staff about the importance of maintaining good health and wellbeing during lockdown. The Swansea University Centenary Wellbeing Event ranged from daily live and recorded meditation sessions, frank chats with specialists, and a Time to Change Wales champion sharing a poignant session about how bereavement and domestic abuse changed their life, to rugby players explaining what causes stress and how we can create healthy coping mechanisms at home. 

Swansea University also encouraged staff  to stay active during lockdown with yoga, pilates, a keepie-uppie challenge and a Work out of the Day.

The University of South Wales (USW) launched a health and wellbeing survey for its staff, with the aim of assessing the health and wellbeing of USW staff and, in particular, the impact of remote working. USW planned to use the feedback to help focus wellbeing support and resources to best meet staff needs. Students from the University were also vlogging short video diaries sharing their tips and perspectives for coping with their health and wellbeing during lockdown.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David developed a programme called SoCom, which provides students who struggle with social interactions and personal wellbeing with a regular social group in a supported environment where they learn to develop skills to promote healthy attitudes, behaviours and understanding of self and others. 

Wrexham Glyndwr University launched a campaign encouraging students to share acts of kindness through their social media streams with the aim of reaching 1000 acts of kindness throughout the month of May. The Students’ Union has also published a blog with five acts of kindness you can do right now.