DISABILITY & MENTAL HEALTH WEEK
WORDS THAT CAN WOUND
WORDS THAT CAN HELP
INTRODUCING BUTLER’S NEW ‘STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES REP’ KAT THORNLEY! Hello Butlerites! My name is Kat, I’m a first year Modern Languages student studying French, Spanish and Russian and I have recently taken on the role of Students with Disabilities Rep (a bit of a mouthful if you ask me!) and shall try very hard to live up to the excellent standard of support on offer already in the college. This role is very close to my heart, as those of you who heard me speak at the JCR meeting will know. To study whilst living away from home is a daunting and difficult task for any student and can be particularly challenging for a disabled student. Therefore, finding the right support within university and college is essential and as part of my role I like to think I can contribute to this; help is what I’m here for. No doubt in the future I shall work with the Welfare Com to achieve the best support amongst the student body possible. As another part of my role I hope to raise awareness around college particularly concerning the term ‘disabled student’, which can cover a wide variety of medical concerns including mental health problems, learning difficulties, physical disabilities and long-term medical conditions (this is particularly relevant this week during Disability and Mental Health Week!). On top of offering support and trying to raise awareness, I shall work with the excellent Butler College staff and relevant student committees to make certain that we are doing everything possible to make the lives of current and future disabled students easier. To do that, I’d like to set up a student feedback platform- this is vital to make sure there’s nothing we’ve missed. I am currently working on the idea of a video to highlight available support, tips and relevant communities e.g. the Senior Tutor, Departmental Disability Representatives, DSA etc. and possibly making more information like this available for prospective Disabled Students also. Of course, (last but DEFINITELY not least)… socials! Networking and talking to those in a similar position could possibly be the most important thing for disabled students and speaking to those who understand can make it all the less daunting. Although, as Butler students, we’re all very lucky to be a part of an already considerate and welcoming community.
Finally, I encourage all disabled students to drop me an email at kathryn.thornley@durham.ac.uk to introduce themselves. Suggestions for events within college are also very welcome and I am available at any time if anyone should want or need to speak to me (even if just for a chat!). Take care,
Mental health statistics, facts and myths These key facts and statistics about mental health problems can help to challenge the myths that can contribute to the stigma that many people still face. It’s so important that we challenge these myths so we can understand the real facts about what mental health problems are and how they can affect people. Myth: Mental health problems are very rare. Fact: 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Myth: People with mental illness aren’t able to work. Fact: We probably all work with someone experiencing a mental health problem. Myth: Young people just go through ups and downs as part of puberty, it’s nothing. Fact: 1 in 10 young people will experience a mental health problem. Myth: People with mental health illnesses are usually violent and unpredictable. Fact: People with a mental illness are more likely to be a victim of violence. Myth: People with mental health problems don't experience discrimination Fact: 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination. Myth: It’s easy for young people to talk to friends about their feelings. Fact: Nearly three in four young people fear the reactions of friends when they talk about their mental health problems.
Stereotypes A piece written by Assistant Welfare Alice Whitehouse We form stereotypes when we meet new people within seconds. We categorise them into a social group to allow us to react and deal with people in specific ways. This is a way to enable us to understand the world. These stereotypes are then reinforced when we meet new people from the same social group that we have formed stereotypes about previously. This is all done subconsciously but really impacts on the way that we view groups of people. It is important to realise that people in one social group are not identical, just as we as Durham Students are not all the same. This needs to be remembered when we encounter people different to us in ways that we do not necessarily understand. Studies have shown that groups of people with mental health issues or disabilities are judges as being repugnant/ subhuman (Jodelet, 1991) and that people are uneasy and unsure how to interact (Heinemann,1990). Stereotypes are reinforced by people around us and the media. We need to remain aware that not all these stereotypes will be accurate and most will come from a lack of understanding other people. Instead of shutting out new information as incorrect because it does not fit with a stereotype is not the way to move forward in accepting and understanding other people.
WORDS ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH
Keen to find out more? Fancy volunteering? Welfare Committee member Emma Maslin provides some information on some great opportunities! GOALS Youth Group: GOALs runs informal weekly sessions involving activities and trips for adults with learning disabilities, helping to widen the opportunities available to them. Volunteers spend time chatting and relaxing with the service users, ensuring that they benefit from the wide variety of sessions that we run. Recent activities have included ice skating, baking and a fireworks display at Beamish. New ideas are always welcome, so we’d love to hear from you! Weekly commitment is not required but volunteers are asked to participate regularly. Where? Vane Tempest Hall in Gilesgate When? Fortnightly, on Mondays Contact Helen, Ruth, Eisha and David at goals.sca@dur.ac.uk
Mental Health: The Mental Health Project aims to provide a community-based service which helps to support people affected by mental health issues. We provide a relaxed and informal environment for our volunteers and service users, with projects in three areas. Activities include arts and crafts, a choir, and an active listening and befriending service. No special experience is required, only friendliness and enthusiasm! Where? Varied locations When? Flexible Contact Hannah, Jasmin and Mia at mentalhealth.sca@durham.ac.uk
Trinity School (Emma’s project) Trinity is a special needs school for children based in Aykley Heads, near the University Hospital. Volunteers work with staff on a regular basis offering support in the classroom for a morning or afternoon each week. Classroom-based activities include reading and music, and volunteers might also get involved with specific one-off events at the school. Where? Trinity School, Durham When? One morning or afternoon per week – flexible Contact Emma and Katie at trinity.sca@durham.ac.uk
Riding for the Disabled: The RDA project runs a weekly trip to the nearby Washington Riding Centre, a specialist centre which provides therapeutic lessons for disabled riders. Our activities at the centre include feeding, grooming, and tacking up, as well as leading the horses in lessons. It’s a great chance to escape the Durham Bubble and do something a bit different for a few hours a week. If you’re at all interested, then please get in touch! Transport is provided When? Saturdays, 1pm-5pm Where?Washington Riding Centre Contact Hannah and Alex atkeenan.sca@durham.ac.uk
Young Carers: Young Carers is a group of approximately 10 student volunteers that lead forum sessions for children who have a disabled family member. The sessions normally involves one hour of dealing with issues surrounding disability through an activity that helps to build the carers’ confidence and promote interaction, followed
YOU WELFARE TEAM SAY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT DISABILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH!
Interested by this topic? Why not watch the following? Don’t Call Me Crazy A BBC 3 documentary about a year in the lives of inpatients at a teenage mental health unit.
Ade Adepitan: Journey of My Lifetime Ade Adepitan returns to Nigeria to find out why it remains one of three places on Earth where children are still contracting polio.
Sex on Wheels A warm, funny and extraordinary film exploring the different ways disabled people deal with the barriers they can face trying to fulfil that most basic human need: sexual intimacy.
Diaries of a Broken Mind Bold, intimate and thought-provoking, this documentary explores what life is really like living with a mental health disorder. Using handheld cameras to film themselves over six months, 25 young people take us with them on a journey as they navigate the rocky