NDM Mental health awareness week January 2023
January 2023 saw the launch of the Nuffield Department of Medicine’s inaugural ‘Wellbeing Week’ as part of the department’s ongoing commitment to staff and student wellness.
Led by members of NDM’s academic and professional community, a range of online and in-person activities took place to promote physical and mental wellness at work.
The week’s keynote speaker was Dame Professor Carol Black, a world-leading expert and independent advisor to successive UK governments on occupational wellbeing, public health and drug rehabilitation. Calling upon her experience as Head of House for Newnham College (Cambridge), President of the Royal College of Physicians and Chair of the Nuffield Trust - Dame Carol delivered a compelling, evidence-based argument for why staff wellbeing should top of the agenda for all organisations.
Also speaking during the week were Penny Aspinall from Jonathon’s Voice who shared her insights on how mindfulness can help us to remain in the present when the future is uncertain, and Lara Hayward from the University Wellbeing Team who spoke about the university’s new programme to support staff wellness – Thriving at Oxford.
Videos of each presentation are available on the links below. An SSO is required to watch the recordings.
Do you have an idea for how the department could do more to promote physical and mental wellness at work? Tell us here
Seminar videos:
If you were unable to attend in person, you can catch up with these key events at your convenience.
Creating health & wellbeing in the Workplace by Dame Professor Carol Black
Mindfulness: Staying in the present when the future is uncertain by Penny Aspinall (Jonathon’s Voice)
Thriving at Oxford: Explore your wellbeing by Lara Hayward (University Wellbeing Programme Manager)
MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING FOR ALL
We have highlighted some resources and tools below to support you in staying mentally and physically healthy. Please email any other relevant resources or tools that you think others in NDM might find helpful
See also the following university pages for further guidance and support:
Thriving at Oxford - Supporting you to feel and perform at your best as part of the University. Includes community content, information and links to support your wellbeing whilst working here at Oxford.
University Staff Health and Wellbeing page. These pages offer guidance on issues ranging from setting up your home office and IT, to managing your physical and mental health and keeping your career development on track.
Occupational Health - Advice and updates from our colleagues at Occupational Health
NDM Mental Health Allies - A page dedicated to our NDM mental Health Allies and available support
Connection and support at work
Looking after your mental health - The University has a wide range of resources to help individuals manage mental health problems, as well as resources for managers and teams to help support each other
Microsoft Teams MSD guidance on Remote Working with Teams
Oxford Research Staff Society is a collective voice for researchers at the University of Oxford.
*NEW RESOURCE* Menopause at work - The Medical Sciences Division produced these pages to help spread awareness, provide support, and assist managers.
Keeping Active
Resources and tips from the Occupational Health Service - The University offers various benefits to staff to help improve staff wellbeing including staying active, training resources, University venues that support wellbeing
Oxford University sport - get fit for free. Oxford University Sport invites staff and students to stay active in lockdown with a temporary free membership
Mental Health
Telephone counselling service The service is free to use and is supported via Care First, members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy on behalf of Zurich Insurance, the University's insurers.
Togetherall (previously Big white wall) Togetherall, is an online peer-to-peer support community. The service is free and support is available 24/7 from anywhere via a web browser. All you need is an active university e-mail address (select “I’m from a University or College” when you register)
Occupational Health a compilation of other organisations that have published free resources and support available online that can help you during this challenging time.
For staff with pre-existing mental health conditions
Talks from the Department of Experimental Psychology - At Oxford, we have some of the world’s leading researchers helping us understand the causes of mental conditions and develop effective evidence-based treatments. The Dept of Experimental Psychology are bringing them together in a new series to share their knowledge and answer your questions about how we can look after each others’ mental wellness in our community. Talks will take place twice per term
NDM Mental Health Allies - A page dedicated to our NDM mental Health Allies and available support
Relaxation
Free online learning resources "Curious minds" from The Department of Continuing Education
March Network A free network open to anyone with an interest in the role that social, cultural and community assets play in mental health and wellbeing
Oxford Mindfulness Centre - mindfulness sessions and podcasts
Feel Good Book Club - A new book club, brought to you by Samaritans
Support for individuals
NDM Bullying and Harassment Advisors
Bereavement support resources from the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences that focus on bereavement and grieving
Emergency Contacts - includes contact details for external resources
Mental Health Awareness- details on the training opportunities for NDM staff. course overview