Mental health staff briefing sessions
You can hear first-hand about the successful implementation of an online mental health and wellbeing service at the University
Big White Wall (BWW) was introduced at Leeds as a support resource in 2017-18 for students and postgraduate researchers (PGRs).
BWW provides free, anonymous, 24/7 online peer and professional support – with trained counsellors – so that students and PGRs can explore their feelings and learn how to improve and self-manage their mental health and wellbeing. There is also a range of courses and tools to help students achieve this.
The service is safe and free to students and PGRs at Leeds, who can access it by using their University email address.
Statistics contained in the service’s annual reports bear testimony to its success, with 5% of the student population reached and more than 3,200 registered users in two years, together with in excess of 1,500 guided support courses accessed during this time and more than 6,000 self-assessments completed. These ranged from managing stress, anxiety and depression to losing weight and quitting smoking.
BWW is visiting campus this year to run staff briefing sessions, showcasing the service and providing you with all the information needed to confidently recommend it to both students and PGRs. This will also be a great opportunity to ask any questions about what BWW offers.
Jane Harris, Assistant Head of Student Support, said: “Big White Wall has made a substantial, and incredibly positive, contribution to student wellbeing at Leeds.
“One of our aims was to provide a service to complement our campus-based support, and it’s been interesting that the majority of Big White Wall usage has been in the evenings and weekends. Feedback also suggests the anonymity of the service is a big plus, and we hope this makes it easier for students to reach out for support, particularly those who may not feel ready to attend an appointment in person.
“We’re also really pleased we’re now able to offer more support to students on placement, studying abroad and outside of term time. If anyone has any feedback about their experience of using Big White Wall, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Please email Student Counselling and Wellbeing with the subject heading Big White Wall Feedback.”
The next staff briefing sessions are on Wednesday 11 September at the following times:
- 10-11am
- 11.30am to 12.30pm; or
- 2.30-3.30pm.
The venue is Clothworkers North LT G12.
There is no need to sign up; just attend at the time that best suits you.
Further information, web links and flyers etc. will be circulated in due course if you cannot attend any of these dates.
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