World Mental Health Day 2023

We are celebrating World Mental Health Day 2023, an opportunity to talk about mental health and to let people know that it’s okay to ask for help if you’re struggling. 

World Mental Health Day poster

Here at QAC, students value the one-to-one sessions they can attend with mentors and counsellors with regard to their mental health and wellbeing in the College's Wellbeing Hub. Providing a confidential, comfortable and safe environment, some of our students may have scheduled sessions or just drop in to have a chat. 

During sessions, the students are able to do a range of activities to help them communicate and implement coping mechanisms and strategies. 

Wellbeing hub staff in front of the hub

The Wellbeing Hub team consists of the following friendly and supportive specialists: 

  • Suzanne - Student Support Officer (Mentor) and Reflexologist
  • Clare - Student Support Officer (Mentor) with a specialism in mindfulness
  • Vicky - Student Support Officer (Mentor), currently training to deliver aromatherapy 
  • Steve - Student Support Officer (Mentor) with a specialism in trauma informed practice
  • Colvin - Student Support Officer (Mentor) 
  • Andrew - Student Support Officer (Mentor) with a specialism in LGBTQ+ and sex & relationships
  • Jim - Student Support Officer (Mentor) 
  • Naresh - Student Support Officer (Mentor) 
  • Lynn - Senior Counsellor Practitioner
  • Zeera - Student Counsellor on placement
  • Keith - Music Wellbeing Practitioner 

The mentors and counsellors help our students in many ways, whether that is through Lego therapy, aromatherapy, reflexology or just having a one-to-one chat. Where appropriate, we can deliver structured sessions to help social and emotional skills development by following Jigsaw, our Emotional Literacy programme. 

QAC also has a number of Mental Health First Aiders to support staff who may be be experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. The role of a Mental First Aider is to provide reassurance, promote and support the safety of the individual, and to signpost to professional help and support. 

You can find out ways to help support your mental health through high-quality, evidence-based information provided by the Mental Health Foundation website, using this attached link.