“Misconceptions may discourage people from seeking help due to fear of being judged, reducing overall support,” said Raye Parker, a Newcastle University student and one of the speakers at the talk, which helped address misconceptions around mental health. Parker said she participated to help students better understand these issues.
The talk was held by Newcastle University’s Disability, Mental Health, and Neurodiversity Society on the afternoon of 19th February at Barbara Strang Teaching Centre, attracting around 20 attendees.
According to the Newcastle University Students’ Union website, one of the aims of the talk was to “destigmatise OCD, Bipolar and Schizophrenia, support individuals with these conditions and educate the community on how to offer meaningful support.”
The talk featured three parts, with speakers Parker, Jaeden Birchall, and Jasmine Di Bona. They each provided an overview of different mental health conditions, their symptoms, impact on individuals, available support, and stigma-related misconceptions.
Parker mentioned a common misconception, “Individuals who suffer from mental health issues are often seen as fragile and need to be cared for almost like children. This is not the case, and they require independence and normality as much as everyone else.”
Mental health remains a pressing issue in the UK. According to the “Mind”, one in four people experience a mental health problem each year, and one in six reports having experienced a common mental health issue within any given week in England.
The OXFORD CBT 2024 revealed that there has been a notable increase in university students reporting mental health conditions.
Adam Turnbull, a therapist from Vita Health Group, said: “In particular, university students face stressful situations, and the stigma will affect their academic performance and personal well-being.”
For international students, the challenge can be greater due to cultural stigma and unfamiliarity with available support.
Xinrui Chen, a student from China, shared her struggle with anxiety after arriving at Newcastle, “I really had a lot of pressure when I first came here because of the language barrier and different lifestyles, but I didn’t dare to tell anyone. Mental health issues are often seen as personal weakness in my country.”
She said she changed her mind until she attended a similar seminar and learned about the university’s services, “The most important thing I learned was that mental health was as important as physical health. Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. I hope everyone can have this awareness.”
Speakers introduced Newcastle University’s mental health support, including:
Extended coursework deadlines
Additional academic assistance
Self-referral counselling services
One anonymous participant said, “It’s quite important to raise more mental health awareness in the university. More initiatives like this should be promoted through newspapers, notice boards, and additional talks.”
The talk also mentioned whether mental health awareness seminars should be mandatory. “It’s a double-edged sword,” Parker said. “It can be difficult for students who suffer from mental health issues to sit through a certain subject matter. However, it would massively raise awareness and reduce stigma.”
Nearly every Wednesday, the society holds similar talks to raise awareness at Newcastle University.
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