See you in 2013!

Season’s Greetings from HR

Time to Change are looking for people to share their stories to appear on their website or feature in their new advert. 

Time to Change is an anti-stigma campaign run by the leading mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness funded by the Department of Health and Comic Relief .  

These two charities decided to work together, combining their knowledge, skills and expertise, in the biggest attempt yet in England to end the discrimination that surrounds mental health. 

If you have a story to tell about how you’ve seen someone through the bad times – or you want to celebrate someone who’s helped you, read more about how to get involved here: http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/node/59891

Their website includes helpful tips and blogs, including a really insightful and interesting post around what depression feels like. Read it here: http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/blog/what-does-depression-feel-like

The third UK Disability History Month is taking place from 22nd November to 22nd December 2012. 

The theme for this year is “Changing Lives, Changing Times, Challenging the Ideas that Lead to Hate Crime”. This will give the chance to explore the history of attitudes and how disabled people’s lives have been marked by change.

The launch event will be taking place on Thursday at 5.30-8.30pm at The Abbey Centre, 34 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BU.

Speakers on the night include Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, with entertainment from the hilarious Mat Fraser, and a drinks reception with an excellent opportunity for networking.

The event is open to all, but places are limited, so please rsvp to info@ukdisabilityhistorymonth.com to confirm your place.

The seventh annual Stonewall Awards were held at the V&A last night recognising individuals and organisations who work tirelessly to improve the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain and around the world.  

Almost 10,000 Stonewall supporters voted for Reverend Giles Fraser to receive the Hero of the Year Award as an inspirational faith leader who supports gay people. Read a recent article from Rev. Fraser here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2012/jun/12/church-of-england-gay-marriage

See information about the Awards from Stonewall here: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/media/current_releases/8182.asp

The Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ festival (Dia de los Muertos) is taking place on 1st and 2nd November to pay tribute to loved ones who have passed away. The dates coincide with the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day (1st) and All Souls Day (2nd).

Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, eating Pan de Muerto (a bread flavoured with aniseed and topped with sugar and decorated with a skull and crossbones). Another tradition is to leave possessions and favorite food and drink of the departed on their graves as gifts.

Diversity Role Models is an organisation which actively seeks to prevent homophobic bullying in schools. They aim to stop bullying before it happens by educating all young people about differences in sexuality and gender identity. Read more about them here http://www.diversityrolemodels.org/

Stonewall has launched a new guide, available in six languages, for lesbian, gay and bisexual people visiting Britain from overseas. The guide will reassure international students that they can be themselves and provides reassurance that it’s safe to approach the police and other authorities for help in case of any problems. www.stonewall.org.uk/visitorsguide

The Hindu festival ‘Navratri’ is a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu goddess Shakti. The word literally means nine nights in Sanskrit. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti – or Devi – are worshiped. Shakti is the concept of divine feminine creative power, sometimes referred to as ‘The Great Divine Mother’ in Hinduism. Devi is the core form of every Hindu Goddess. Goddess worship is an integral part of Hinduism.

World Mental Health Day – Quiz! Refreshments! Prizes!

Wednesday 10^th October, 1pm – 2pm at the Dome (Avery Hill Campus)

Mental illness is a fact of life.  According to the Mental Health Foundation, one in four people in the UK will experience at least one episode of mental illness in their lifetime. 

To mark World Mental Health Day 2012, the Students’ Union is working with the University’s *AccessAbility Ambassadors to raise awareness of mental illness, and the support that’s available for students.   Mental illness does not need to be an obstacle to students going on to achieve academic success, or an issue that stops students from having a complete University experience.

As part of this, we are hosting a Quiz on Mental Health at the Dome on Wednesday 10^th October, from 1pm to 2pm.  The Students’ Union is donating  vouchers for a FREE University of Greenwich hoodie for the lucky first prize winner, as well as food/drink vouchers for the SU Bars for runners-up.   We’ve got cakes and biscuits to share, and a limited supply of coffee mugs to give away courtesy of the Greenwich Drug & Alcohol Action Team (but buy your own coffee!).

And, if you’ve got time to spare in the afternoon, why not stay for an afternoon with the *AccessAbility team for board games?  Relieve your own mental stress (or increase it!) with new friends and old.  Please bring your own favourite (and a personal plea…leave Monopoly at home…)

For information about the Disabled & Diverse Students Network, contact Melanie Thorley (email tm34@gre.ac.uk)

The Students’ Union will be putting further information on the SUUG website, including the answers to Wednesday’s quiz (after the event!). For more information contact Matt Ventrella, Academic & Welfare Adviser, Students’ Union, University of Greenwich.