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​January is a tough month people and can be the month we struggle the most to get through, but we’re nearly there! January is almost over.

Before the festive break, we shared some wellbeing resources and support to help you, if needed, during that period. With February fast approaching, we want to reassure you that the health and wellbeing of all colleagues and students is of the utmost importance to the University.

Over the next couple of months, we will be focusing on mental and physical wellbeing, with a range of events scheduled.

Commit To Fit this New Year with [EN]GAGE

If your New Year’s resolutions include fitness goals, [EN]GAGE is here to help.  

Our gym includes a fully kitted fitness suite and sports performance area, and our friendly staff are always happy to offer advice. We cater for all levels of fitness and our facilities are here for everyone to enjoy, with a range of wheelchair-accessible equipment.

Whether your 2023 goal is meeting a daily step count or lifting weights, we're here to help you.  

Check out our membership options and Commit to Fit this New Year with [EN]GAGE.

You can also build your confidence with free self-defence classes at our Sighthill campus gym, [EN]GAGE. 

Beginning Wednesday 18 January, classes will run every Wednesday between 1pm and 2pm for six weeks. Sign up to one class, or all six! 

Book your slot by calling [EN]GAGE on 0131 455 4437.

BRIT Challenge 2023

Join the staff and student community as we take on the BRIT Challenge between 23 January and 23 March 2023.

The primary focus of the BRIT Challenge is to collaborate with mental health charities and partner organisations to engage and support the HE and FE Sector so that they can help others, create wider engagement and deliver a greater understanding of mental health issues, adversity, psychological trauma and wellbeing.

We are encouraging students and staff of all abilities to take on the BRIT Challenge to improve their own mental health and wellbeing, help destigmatise mental health, and champion equality, diversity and inclusion.

Throughout the challenge we will be aiming to achieve 23,000 miles of physical activity. Staff and students can also seek sponsorship for their activity, contributing to the University’s goal of raising £2,023 for BRIT and the ENSA Community Pantry. Staff and students will work together as one team, including sub-teams and individual challenges, demonstrating that fitness and wellbeing activities can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness all for good causes.

On Tuesday 24 January at 2.30pm at our Craiglockhart Campus, our Principal and ENSA President will launch the BRIT Challenge by taking part in a 23-minute walk around Craiglockhart. All colleagues and students are encouraged to come along and join this ‘wellbeing walk’. Meet by the iPoint at Craiglockhart Campus as we gather to start the walk which will take roughly 23 minutes and we plan to walk from the campus up Craiglockhart Hill and back.

In addition to the wellbeing walk, there’s a range of ways you can challenge yourself. Set your own goals when walking, cycling, running, playing sports etc. You can log your activity here. We know colleagues enjoy our annual staff Walking Challenge, so we’re incorporating it in the Challenge. You can get a group of up to six colleagues together and record your miles​ walked or pull a team together to collect miles doing other activity, the choice is yours!

You can find out more about the BRIT Challenge in this brief.

Keep your eyes peeled for more information and new challenges over the next eight weeks which will include completing acts of self-care and kindness for those who are not keen on/unable to do physical activity.

23 acts of kindness and self-care

As well as encouraging physical activity, we also want to encourage you to consider participating in 23 acts of kindness and self-care over the course of the BRIT Challenge. We will add new ideas each week, so keep checking back for fresh inspiration!

• Offer to ‘foster’ a pet for owners who are struggling from illness, homelessness or domestic abuse - check out Pet Fostering Service Scotland.
• Sign up to Action For Happiness or download their app for advice on what you can do to focus on happiness for yourself and those you love and care for.
• Learn to revive a tired or struggling bee.
• If you have a warm coat in reasonable condition, find a drop off point and pass it on to someone who needs it via Coats4Calais.
• Volunteer with the City of Edinburgh Council in libraries, supporting refugees, social care, or with families and households in need.
• Volunteer with the Scottish SPCA, which has many rewarding roles where you can aid animals in a crisis or emergency.
• Be a great neighbour by giving away items you don't need or offering assistance on apps and websites such as Next Door, Buy Nothing, Freecycle and Olio.​

Time to Talk Wellbeing Briefing Sessions

Time to Talk is promoted by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness and they work with other organisations across the UK (See Me Scotland).

The day is about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health. We all have mental health. By talking about it, we can support ourselves and others.

Time to Talk Day is on Thursday 2 February 2023 and to keep the conversation going, we will be hosting Wellbeing Briefing Sessions across each campus.

The aim of the Wellbeing Briefing Sessions will be to promote the support within the university for our staff and PhD Student community around health and wellbeing.

Come along to hear from members of the university’s Senior Leadership Team about why health and wellbeing prevention and intervention is important to them and the University. We are also pleased to welcome representatives from our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provider, MCL Medics, onto campus as they detail the EAP provision and the benefits for colleagues and PhD Students. You will also hear from some of our Mental Health Champions and there will be an opportunity to mix with colleagues over refreshments.

This is an important opportunity for you to learn more about the resources and support ENU has in place, so you know where to gain support and advice if you are experiencing mental health concerns or wish to support others.

Dates/Times/Locations:

Please come along to learn more about the commitment of the university to support the health and wellbeing of colleagues and PhD Students. You may not need to know about the resources and support available now, but there may be a time when you do to support either yourself or a colleague.

When It Is Darkest: Understanding suicide risk

You’re invited to a special guest lecture featuring Rory O’Connor, author and Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Glasgow.

As part of the commitment within the university’s Mental Health Strategy we have a Suicide Safer Implementation Working Group which includes members of staff who represent the interests of both the staff and student community. The remit is to discuss and action a framework to support the implementation of a plan around suicide prevention and intervention and they have done considerable work in this area to date.

The Suicide Safer Implementation Working Group are pleased to host an interesting guest speaker around the theme of mental health at our Craiglockhart Campus on Thursday 9 February 2023 at 6.30pm.

We are delighted to have Prof Rory O’Connor deliver a guest talk entitled “When It Is Darkest: Understanding suicide risk”.

Professor O'Connor will draw from his book (“When It Is Darkest: Why People Die by Suicide and What We Can Do To Prevent It”) to allow us to get to the heart of this most tragic of human outcomes, challenging myths and misunderstandings as we navigate the theme of suicide and suicide prevention.

Please visit the Eventbrite link to learn more and secure your free place. This is a public event and you’re encouraged to share with students and your networks.