Hi, I’m Krystsina. But people usually call me Kris. I am currently doing my 2nd year in Drama. Why exactly the Mental Health Officer, one can ask? Because I believe that mental health is one of the key things in our lives. It is a subject which is worth talking about. Nevertheless, people still hesitate to converse openly. But why not keep trying? It is always useful to self-educate. I see the stories of my friends who have gone to the depth and experienced anxiety, depression or even both. But now to see them feeling different and motivated to help others… That gives me hope for the future where people talk about mental health.

There is an opinion that mental health is a personal topic. However, it still remains something more than a one-person-thing for me. In fact, we all experience different issues, but at the same time, we also share the nature of feelings. Therefore, it is essential to communicate and exchange our experience. Your story may help those who suffer from stigma influence!

It is important to acknowledge the importance of diversity when it comes to mental health therapy, as every person might have different preferences of who to talk to. I can’t stop thinking about the fact that there is only one ethnic counsellor, while 50% of Roehampton students are represented as a minority. No one should feel discriminated as we are all in the same boat here.

What am I going to support?

•    Those in need of disability services

•    University collaboration with the charity SANE (encourage students willing to receive mental-health training in order to provide others with help)

What I am going to do as a Mental Health Officer?

•    Engage with the Wellbeing team

 (to build a connection between students and the Wellbeing team)

•    Promote diversity in the counselling body

•    Raise mental health awareness through Course Reps and arrange direct communication between the Reps and the Mental Health Officer

(as a Drama Course Rep, I believe it can help students receive support in early stage)

•    Support Mental Health Counseling system and collect feedback from students who use the service

•    Host artistic events 

(support ideas: poetry nights, Spoken Word events; collaborate with societies: dance & music, drama & photography/ film)

•    Organise informal meetings where students are encouraged to talk about mental health and share experiences

•    Develop an online platform for those who don’t feel comfortable to speak (through anonymous or public writing)

•   Host a competition for the best supportive mental health posters “How to make them smile”

(let’s use students’ 'passion to create' to increase an overall mental health level on campus)

•    Cooperate with the Off-Campus Officer as well as the International, LGBTQ, Trans, BAME and Mature Students’ Officer to make sure students are satisfied

•    Create an email box for student’s ideas regarding any possible improvements within the mental health system, event organisations, and other suggestions

If I am given a chance to change things, I will make sure we will do it together.

Thank you!