Mental health awareness week will take place from the 12th – 18th of May 2025. The theme for 2025 is community.
Mental Health Week is an important time for us to come together and focus on the theme of community. At the university, the library plays a pivotal role in creating a sense of belonging and support among students and staff. It’s more than just a place to study; it’s a place where students can connect, relax, and find the resources they need.
Being part of a community is good for mental health and wellbeing, people who are more socially connected to family, friends, or their community are happier, physically healthier and live longer. Whatever your community is, from knitting a stitch to a football pitch, dog walks to weekly talks, cricket bats to casual chats, from team scores to opening new doors it’s all about community.
What are the benefits of community?
- Increases connection
- Promotes a sense of belonging
- Reduces isolation
- Reduces loneliness
One of the key aspects of the library’s contribution to the community is our welcoming environment. Students often meet here to study together, forming study groups, practicing for upcoming presentations or just individual study. The library’s wellbeing space is a sanctuary where students and staff can take a break from their hectic schedules, meditate, use our journaling sheets, colouring sheets or simply unwind and look at the beautiful views accross the Airthrey Loch.
The library also offers fun and engaging activities for staff and students that promote mental wellness. Whether it’s working on the library jigsaw or building with Lego, playing a game of chess, or our monthly Silent Book Club these activities provide a creative outlet and a chance to bond with friends. It’s a reminder that taking time for leisure and play is essential for maintaining your mental health.
If you are lucky you might even catch a glimpse of the library book fairy as she leaves her books around the University for our staff and students to discover.
We want to know what community means to our staff and students, so we invite you to come in to the library and leave a note on the board to tell us what community means to you and where you find your community.
Our librarians have also curated a reading list, with books about community. access the reading list here.
We have also published a blog post focussing on wellbeing resources that you can find on LinkedIn Learning. Students and staff at the University of Stirling have free access to LinkedIn Learning to support your personal and professional development, as well as a wide-range of content focussed on wellbeing and mental heath. Access the blog here.
Moreover, the library staff are always ready to assist students and staff with any queries they might have. Whether it’s finding a book, navigating online resources, or seeking advice on where to get further help, our staff are there to support and guide. This accessibility and willingness to help make the library a cornerstone of the university community.
It’s good to take time to celebrate the library community as it has been proven that being part of community supports good mental health and wellbeing.
Showing kindness benefits both you and any community that you are part of. Let’s celebrate kind communities this mental health awareness week and we would love you to accept our invitation to be part of our library community.
Let’s celebrate the library’s role in providing a supportive and inclusive community. It’s a place where students can meet, relax, and find the help they need, hopefully contributing significantly to their overall wellbeing. Let’s continue to embrace and nurture this sense of community, not just during Mental Health Week, but every day.
We love to get feedback and if you have any further ideas for how the library can promote a sense of community, please fill in one of our suggestion cards, and post it in the box.