The brainchild of Leeds student Ed Pinkney, the Mental Wealth Project is a national scheme designed to help higher education institutions run promotional events to inform and support students on mental health and wellbeing.
The first of these events, dubbed “Mental Wealth Fairs”, was hosted at Leeds Trinity in late January, and attracted great interest from staff and students wanting to know more about this often hidden issue. Further events are scheduled to take place in March at other higher education institutions in Leeds.
Ed, from North Yorkshire, plans to develop an event toolkit that will enable any university to run a Mental Wealth Fair, and hopes to pursue this project after he graduates.
He said, “This student-led initiative is designed to bring mental health out of the shadows. If it increases self-awareness and changes attitudes towards mental health creating a more open culture, it is a success. Many people will leave the event today having been strongly influenced in a positive way.”
The fair offered a variety of stalls and activities including a stress-busting African drumming session, mini-health checks with the Sports Centre staff and Wii-fit dance yourself happy.
The most eye-catching display was an unmade bed littered with clothes, chocolate wrappers and beer bottles, with Leeds Trinity’s counsellors on hand to ask visitors “What do you think is going on here?” and “What would you do if this was your friend’s room?”
Counsellor Sue Jack said, “The reason we have done this is to attract attention and encourage people to assess their own mental health. We want to break down barriers and reduce the stigma of mental health. However small an issue may seem, if something is bothering you it is a valid reason to chat to a counsellor.”
A steady stream of customers enjoyed head, back and shoulder massages with a group of students studying Complementary Therapies at Leeds City College.
Level 3 Business and Management student Jane Eke felt set up for the afternoon after her massage. She said, “It was well worth doing as I definitely feel more relaxed. I will be able to concentrate on the research and a presentation that I have to do this afternoon!”
Find out more about the Mental Wealth Project