University Hosts Mental Health Awareness Event
10 October 2011
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (DHCFT) hosted its third 'human library' event on Monday (October 10) at the University of Derby, in partnership with Rethink, Derbyshire Mind, Time to Change and the University.
The event, which was opened by the Mayor of Derby, Les Allen, coincided with World Mental Health Day, and is part of a week-long series of events organised by Changing Minds and DHCFT.
The human library is a mobile library, set up as a space for dialogue and interaction; the stories come from people rather than books. Visitors to the human library are given the opportunity to speak informally with 'people on loan'; who will be varied in age, sex and cultural background, including people who have experience with mental health. This year we have 22 'books' taking part in the event.
There were also more than 40 stands from in the Kedleston Road Atrium including the University's Equality and Diversity Team, Health and Safety Team, Occupational Health, Student Wellbeing Team and students from the Mental Health and Therapeutic Practice programmes.
The Student Wellbeing Service also held a similar event at the Buxton Campus.
Local voluntary and mental health organisations represented included Rethink, First Steps, Derbyshire Alcohol Advice Service, Disability Direct, Derbyshire Police, Derby Fire, Red Cross, Changing Minds, Derby County Football Club and the Alzheimer's Society.
Visitors had the opportunity to get involved in a boxercise class, complementary therapies and 'Pulp Friction' bike-powered smoothie bar.
Other events this week include:
- Tuesday 11 October - Multi Media Workshop (The Quad, Market Square, Derby)
- Thursday 13 October - Arts and Crafts Day (Resource Centre, DHCFT Kingsway Site, Derby)
- Friday 14 October - Drama Day (First Steps, Osmaston Road, Derby)
