Mental Health Awareness Week has been run in collaboration with St Antony’s Academic Office and GCR for a number of years. This year we hope you can take a break from your day and do something creative or good for your body. We have an exciting schedule and there should be something for everyone, whether you take part in the events and talks, or just use some of the ideas from our daily newsletters to pause and take a moment for yourself.

The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is anxiety. Everyone experiences anxiety, and whether you’re going through a particularly stressful time or have lived with anxiety for years, there are things you can do to help yourself manage anxiety with more ease.

These events, and accompanying newsletters, are going to be aimed at managing everyday anxiety and wellbeing. If you’re struggling with more a chronic or severe mental health condition, know you’re not alone. There’s always someone you can talk to, whether it’s your GP, a peer supporter, a member of the College welfare team, or anonymous support at Nightline, who can listen to what you’re going through and advise you about what support is available for you. 

Sign up for events here.

Throughout the week, bananas will be available in the mornings in the Buttery, and the GCR will be creating an interactive display there with different questions each day. The College Peer Supporters are also running a Cookie Fairy scheme throughout the week – details of which have already been sent around to students.

Staff Coffee Morning
Monday 15th, 10:30-11:00, CCR
A chance for staff to down tools for half an hour, take a break, and have a friendly conversation.

Mindful Yoga
Monday 15th, 11:00-12:00, CCR
Take a break at the start of the week for some gentle yoga and guided meditation. All abilities welcome!

Women’s Wellness event
Monday 15th, 14:00-15:00, Pavilion
An informal opportunity for women and women-aligned nonbinary people to network, discuss women’s mental health and wellbeing and offer mutual support (and eat cake!).

Craft Night
Monday 15th, 20:00-22:00, CCR
Join Prim and Anna from the GCR for an arty evening of making decorations for the College ball. Crafting materials will be supplied!

Welfare Lunch
Tuesday 16th, 12:30-13:30, New Fellow’s Dining Room
Join the Welfare team and College Nurse for an informal free vegetarian lunch – you must sign up if you would like to take part. You must sign up if you want to join us for lunch - sign up here.

Imposter Syndrome Talk
Tuesday 16th, 14:00-15:00, Pavilion
Dr Tim Knowlson from the Counselling Service is an expert in the field of Imposter Syndrome at Oxford. He will talk about what Imposter Syndrome is, and how to stop it from holding you back.

Drop-in Peer Supporter chat
Tuesday 16th, 15:00-16:00, The Buttery
Your friendly College peer supporters will be on hand for a casual chat. This is a great opportunity to get to know them and find out how they can support you.

Wellbeing Walk
Wednesday 17th, 12:30-13:30; Friday 19th, 13:00-14:00, Meet at the Lodge
These daily walks give you a chance to take a break from your day and enjoy time in nature with company. (Weather dependant)

Men’s Mental Health talk
Wednesday 17th, 14:00-15:00, Syndicate Room
Dr Tim Knowlson from the Counselling Service will be speaking about specific factors that impact men’s mental health. This talk is open to anyone regardless of gender.

Taking the Stress out of Exams
Thursday 18th, 14:00-15:00, Pavilion
Join the Academic Office for a short talk followed by informal Q&A session about managing exam stress and the process for extension requests and exam adjustments. There will be cake from Barefoot Bakery!

Volunteering Information Session
Thursday 18th, 15:00-16:00, New Fellow’s Dining Room
We need you! St Antony’s is delighted to be twinned with a local primary school to offer free tutoring through students to tackle educational inequality on Oxford. Join Filiz and Sophie (Academic VP) and find out more about taking part in a new scheme twinning St Antony’s with a local school. This will be a fantastic way to gain experience, especially if you’re interested in education or teaching, and help the local community.

Gym hour for Women
Friday 19th, 16:00-17:00
A specific hour for women and women-aligned nonbinary people to use the gym.

Sign up to events here.