Mental Health Month: Activities at Nescot

October is Mental Health Month, and here at Nescot we’re arranging lots of events aimed at helping to get everyone talking about mental health.

The theme for World Mental Health Day this year is ‘making mental health a priority’, with a focus on us all taking proactive steps to protect our own wellbeing.

We’ve arranged a series of events for students and staff, as well as a workshop for parents and carers, all aimed towards supporting open conversations, and helping anyone in need to access help.

You can read more about our plans below, and students can read more on our college app, Nescomms, as well as on digital signs around the college, and staff can read more on SharePoint. More events will be added. 

“We take mental health seriously every day of the year, but we welcome the opportunity to put some focussed events together in October,” said Amy Norris, Head of Student Wellbeing at Nescot.

“We’re looking forward to seeing lots of students and staff at the events we have planned, and we hope they help us to continue our work in reducing stigma and increasing support.”

The events we have planned for students and staff at Nescot are:

• Mental health café drop-in mornings. Open to all Nescot students and staff on Mondays and Tuesdays during October. Pop in to Seasons Café for a hot drink and warm food or a sweet snack from 12.15-1.15pm on Mondays and from 10.15-10.45am on Tuesdays. Chat to your friends or meet new people, and students will be able to speak to a member of the Safeguarding team.
• Wellness and beauty workshops for staff on October 20. Read more on SharePoint. 
• Innovations is offering 20% off beauty products for staff during October, and a free hair treatment worth £10 for every blow dry booked.
• Wear green on World Mental Health Day (October 10), or a green ribbon or badge. We will be collecting for the Mental Health Foundation if you feel able to offer a donation. 
• Come to our tea and coffee drop-in morning on October 10. Pop in to N20 between 9am and 11am for free tea and coffee and have a chat with the Wellbeing team. 
• Speak to charity Catch-22. They will be in the refectory on October 10 from 10am until 2.30pm, talking about the services they offer young people. You can read more on their website.
• Use the gym for free. Students and staff have free use of Nescot’s gym, starting at 3pm on World Mental Health Day (October 10) and continuing from 3-6pm every working day that week. Bring your ID with you, and register on arrival
• Board game café, from 12.30-1.30pm on October 12 and 19. Come on board with us! Open to students and staff and free to attend. You’re welcome to bring games with you. This will be at The Shed, which is opposite the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) block. 
• Tours of the Animal Care Unit for staff - please see SharePoint for more information. We're looking forward to holding an event for students later on in the academic year. 
• Free training session for parents and carers of young people with anxiety. Learn techniques to support your young person during a free workshop run by the Safeguarding team at Nescot. Places are limited. Please click here to book. 
• Free painting for mindfulness session for staff on Wednesday November 2. Open to Nescot staff only. Booking via SharePoint. 

You can read more about events happening in Epsom organised by Love Me Love My Mind online here.

Students who would like support with their mental health can speak to their Personal Development Coach, or drop into the Safeguarding and Wellbeing team in N20.

Nescot staff can speak to their line manager, or to HR. Students and staff can also speak to a Mental Health First Aider – check Nescomms, SharePoint or the screens around college for more information.

You can also look on our website for more information about what we can do to support you, and other organisations that can help. Click here for more.

Please note that Nescot’s half-term is from October 24 to 28, and the following week is CPD week for college staff. There is no teaching during these two weeks. Read more on our website.