« back to NUI Galway Psych Soc Promotes Smiling on Campus

NUI Galway Psych Soc Promotes Smiling on Campus

Building upon the success of last year’s Mental Health Week, NUI Galway’s Psychological Society has been working with a large number of societies, local businesses and NUI Galway’s Societies Office to create an even more eventful and inclusive Mental Health week running from October 3rd to the 7th on the Campus. According to Soraya Matthews the Auditor of Psych Soc ‘We were overwhelmed with the response to last year’s events and are looking forward to an even more positive, inclusive and eventful Mental Health Week, making the campus a friendly place to be’
This year Psych Soc are incorporating the initiative ‘What are the #LittleThings that we can each do for each other on a personal level as well as what societies can do to increase happiness’. The hashtag and campaign that will support initiative will be #ShareASmile. It is simple, but effective. Smiling at someone can boost their confidence, change their outlook of their day and encourage a conversation.

On Monday French Soc’s ‘Petit Dejeuner Breakfast’ in the View 9am-12pm, will leave you feeling full and content, then stay on the lookout for Dramsoc & GUMS ‘Free Hugs’ in a foyer near you for some stress relieving cuddles. Other events on Monday include Chaplaincy Evening Meditation and a GIG Soc Candlelight Vigil amongst many others.
Tuesday afternoon, PsychSoc & SVP Soc Resilience Workshop: Looking out for yourself and others workshop will be running in the View, Áras na Mac Léinn from 12:30-2pm outlining how to support yourself and others experiencing mental health issues. Evening events include a focus on exploration with a mental health awareness workshop by Writer Soc and a Psych Soc & Fem Soc ‘Mask You Live in’ Screening and Discussion in the Fotrell Theatre, Arts Millennium Building at 7pm on how our cultures narrow definition is harming our boys, men and wider society.
On Wednesday you can relieve that tension by listening to Music Soc & Choral Soc’s Lunchtime Concert & Tea event with guest singer/songwriter Whim. A Student Counselling Mindfulness Workshop will enrich your mind while the Chefs Challenge & Autumn Wellness Programme Launch will tell you all that is planned for the Autumn to keep you healthy in mind and body. Psych Soc’s #LittleThings to make NUI Galway a more inclusive and autism friendly campus is an open panellist discussion on Autism and how the NUI Galway community can make positive changes that will facilitate students of all abilities at 7pm in the Kirwan Theatre which is open to the public. GIG Soc will also be hosting a talk from the LGBT Helpline and a talk from a Psychiatric Nurse on mental health at 7 & 8pm in IT202.
Start Thursday with a lively Salsa Fitness ‘silent disco’ dance class with Pedro in Áras na Mac Léinn at 9am then a more relaxing Psych Soc & Choral Soc #AddFriendsToYourTea Tea and Coffee Morning event in the View at 10am with an abundance of free goodies and some surprise appearances from NUI Galway’s best voices. A Draiocht Soc Book Sale and Swap will feed your mind, while Psych Socs Ultimate Table Quiz in aid of Jigsaw in Sult will improve and test your knowledge. Other events include a Rant Night/Poetry Slam from literary & Debating Society for getting things off your chest and a Lip Sync Night by GUMS & GIG Soc.
Psych Soc will also be running a variety of initiatives throughout the week to emphasis just how important and easy it can be to make a positive impact on someone’s day through small gestures, the #LittleThings which includes an open discussion/confession wall where people can anonymously express their thoughts about mental health and the #LittleThings that help them #ShareASmile. The results of these pop up walls will be published at the end of the week to show people that they may not be the only one thinking this way.
The #ShareASmile message will be brought to students by placing #ShareASmile stickers on tea/coffee cups, customers who receive these cups will be given their beverage for free from participating campus restaurants, giving them a boost for their day ahead and hopefully making it a happier one. PsychSoc will also be distributing goodie bags containing treats and information about support services, which will include #ShareASmile & #SmileYouGotAGoodieBag stickers and creating a #LittleThings video to find out from students what the their #LittleThings are and what helps them to #ShareASmile.
For further details on NUI Galway’s Mental Health Week see the website www.nuigstudents.ie, check out NUI Galway Psychological Society Facebook or call the Socs Box on 091 492852.