Students from Club Doncaster Sports College spent Friday morning off timetable to take part in a number of activities, to help spark conversations around mental health. They were given the opportunity to select three different activities, over the course of the morning, as part of the Sports College’s annual Time to Talk Day activities.
Taking place each year, Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation, where people can come together to talk, listen and change lives. Talking openly and honestly can be the first step towards better mental health for everyone. It can even save lives. Talking can reduce stigma and help people feel comfortable enough to seek help when they need it. It’s an event that the lecturers make sure is planned into the calendar every academic year, to help support students with their wellbeing and give them the opportunity to switch off from the outside world and the demand of their coursework.
Ben Thompson, Vice principal is behind the planning of the morning. “It’s really important for us that students physical and mental wellbeing is prioritised.
“We take this one day a year for them to focus on themselves, look at coping strategies, mechanisms and focus on the mental wellbeing and tactics too. It helps them to alleviate stress of being a student.
“It’s something that we don’t always have enough time in the curriculum to really focus on, so it’s an ideal opportunity to take some time, stop and support the students in their mental health journey.”
Activities available to choose from were a boxing session with Jimmy Harrington from Freedom Boxing, a yoga class, mindfulness sessions including journal making and colouring, meditation, along with darts and table tennis competitions.
Student Zoe, spoke of the sessions being a break from her usual college work. “It’s been a really good morning, it’s a break from it all. Doing some good stuff with the teachers.
“Mental health is important. Days like today, you get to speak to everyone about it and have a breather.
“I really enjoyed the boxing and the mindfulness activities where we were just doing colouring etc, zoning out.
“It’s certainly made me more motivated for the rest of the college year. You have a breather, relax and reset and then you’re ready to carry on.”
Opening up about our mental health can be the first step towards getting help.
If you or someone you care about needs support, visit mind.org.uk/TimeToTalkDay
