Mental Health Awareness Week

By Chloe B

TW: Mental Health and Associated Topics

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect and share a short story that I hope helps someone out there. Mental health affects all of us - especially as students navigating the challenges of university life.

In my experience, the impact we can have on others is huge—both positive and negative. That’s why being kind, mindful, and considerate is so important. Just this week, a close friend thanked me for helping her through a dark time, for making her feel loved, seen, and appreciated. Hearing that made me really emotional. I felt grateful to have created a space where she felt safe enough to share her struggles, and even more grateful to know I made a difference.

University can be tough. It’s a big shift—moving away from home, trying to find your place, balancing studies, friendships, finances, jobs, and personal issues. It can get overwhelming. I’ve been there. At times, it felt lonely, but immersing myself in the community here really helped. One of my biggest outlets has been netball. It’s where I get to let go, have fun, and just be myself (BALLERRR!). That kind of joy and connection is something I’ll carry with me always.

Chloe with her amazing netball team!

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is this: you never know what someone else is going through. Even on your worst day, your smallest act of kindness - a smile, a compliment, a listening ear -can change someone else’s day entirely.

It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to just sit in your feelings for a bit. But please remember: you are not alone. You matter. You are seen.

Community matters—and the UU Community will always be here to support you, to hold space for your stories, and to remind you that it's okay to be ultimately... YOU.

If the topics in this blog have affected you please reach out to Mind and Samaritans for support. For ARU Students please reach out to the Health and Wellbeing Services.