University Mental Health Day: Community

For University Mental Health Day, Emily shares her views on the importance of community within her university to help deal with mental health.

- Emily Maybanks

How could I give back to my community? 

I believe that I can do this through expressing my gratitude and appreciation on a blog for the continued support from my community. Using a blog is both accessible in today’s technology-focused society, but it is also a thoughtful and creative way to express my thoughts. I think that feeling as though you are a part of a community, whether a university or in a working environment, is important for mental health because you feel included and involved.

Who do you speak to for your mental health?

For my mental health, I speak to a wide range of people: professionals, such as doctors and counselors, my close friends, and people I work with. I think it is vital to have a varied but reliable support network for mental health. However, I also think it is important to be self-reliant when it comes to mental health and to know what to do to help yourself when you’re feeling down and struggling - whether that is to take a break for a while or do something on your own.

What do you do for your mental health?

One thing that especially helps my mental health is writing. I love to write, and it is my way to express myself and how I am feeling. Sharing my mental health story through writing has also helped me with my mental health.

Where do you feel part of a community?

I feel part of a community within the editing and writing crowd at my university, working for Swansea University students’ newspaper: the Waterfront. It is an amazing thing to be involved with and it is nice to feel supported and appreciated.


Take action and be part of a growing movement to transform the state of student mental health. Join a Student Minds group on your campus or set up a group today. 

My name is Emily (Em). I am currently in my final year studying Modern Languages, Translation & Interpreting at Swansea University, where I'm also the Creative Writing Section Editor and Deputy Editor for The Waterfront - Swansea's student newspaper. I wanted to write for Student Minds because I have experienced depression and anxiety as well as other health issues, and I support friends who have also experienced mental health difficulties. I am also a passionate writer and writing has been important in my mental health experiences - both in helping me to cope with my mental health, as well as sharing my story in order to help others.