World Mental Health Day 2023

10 October 2023

Every year we celebrate World Mental Health Day on 10th October. The theme for 2023, set by the World Foundation of Mental Health, is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’.

World Mental Health Day is about raising awareness of mental health. It’s also a chance to talk about mental health, ours and others, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to get help if you are struggling.

Jane Corrigan is Hertford’s new student welfare lead. She is from North Wales and before arriving in Oxford, spent 8 years working as an accredited counsellor and DBT therapist in schools and colleges. Before that she worked in theatre and events so she is highly skilled at falling over things in the dark. Jane’s suggestions for positive mental health this term are:

– Talk things through with someone you trust and be honest about how things are for you

– Build a regular sleep pattern and spend some time outside, especially in the morning and evening light, even when it’s dark and chilly

– Try to notice a few positive things each day, however small, and take time to appreciate them

– Drop the self-judgement!