Let's Talk by the University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh

Overcoming Mental Health Stigma, 10bigideas Scotland: Ailie Ross-Oliver, 3rd year Politics undergraduate, joins Harriet Harris, to talk about her policy research into mental health stigmatisation, as part of the student-led think-tank, the Buchanan Institute, which has just launched its ‘10 Big Ideas for Scotland’. When our mental health deteriorates we can be most concerned to come across as seeming ok, because we fear or experience being stigmatised. Ailie and colleagues propose legislative and educational changes to prevent stigmatisation. For more information on their work, see here:


10 Big Ideas for      Scotland website (full report and pledges found here): https://www.10bigideasscotland.com/?fbclid=IwAR1NG3e19aR85cn_yvvHSixZX-cXoSi1a-qsus0apcM4dygmZaQ36qgoorM
Buchanan Institute      website: https://www.buchananinst.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/10bigideas2025
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/10ideasscotland/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/10bigideas2025/

In this episode, I am joined by staff member Umar Malik and PhD student Estifa’a Zaid, for a special recording made in Islamophobia Awareness Month. Estifa’a and Umar talk about their experiences of growing up as Muslims in the UK, of coming to normalise Islamophobic behaviour, and of bracing themselves for reprisal attacks after terrorist incidents (so-called ‘Islamist’ or otherwise). They talk about reporting hate crimes, and why people may not choose to report; the targeting of hijab-wearing women; the intersection with racism and the momentum of Black Lives Matter; and the intensifying of Islamophobic and racist experiences after the Brexit vote. They look for improved relations between journalists and Muslim communities as one way of curbing scaremongering and growing understanding.

Resources associated with this podcast:

Please see these excellent Stand-Up to Hate animations.

MEND, Muslim Engagement and Development, https://www.mend.org.uk/about-mend/

Umar Malik’s blog, Islamophobia and Me,

Estifa’a Zaid’s blog about the Syrian Tutoring Programme and Black Lives Matter,

Zain Hussain’s blog on Co-existence and Black Lives Matter,

This current MOOC on FutureLearn: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/an-introduction-to-the-sharia-and-islamic-law

Plus a new free short online course, which starts in January 2021, called Christian Muslim Relations - visit FutureLearn in the new year to find out more and sign up if you're interested"

And the work of Ewan McAndrew and Glaire Anderson in adding Islamic Art to Wikipedia

In this podcast, recorded especially in hybrid times when many students are self-isolating in their halls and flats, and doing their learning digitally, I am joined by international fitness trainer Ricky Long. Ricky and his partner Lyndsey Morrison have put together a team of fitness experts who are providing streamed workouts especially for those who are stuck indoors. On most days there are 3 exercise work-outs a day – amazing and all free of charge to members of the University. Ricky talks about the benefits of exercise for physical and mental health. He gives us some great tips for building healthy habits into our lives, structuring our living spaces so that the chair for studying is different from the place for watching Netflix, and owning our morning (whatever time the morning starts for us) so that we can own our day.

The link for the fitness workouts is here

https://www.ed.ac.uk/students/health-wellbeing/live-streaming-exercise-classes

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rickylong42/

Holly McConnell is a 2nd year PE undergraduate, who began university at the age of 16, and in lockdown is combining university work with supporting her parents, who are both profoundly deaf. Holly tells us about the Youtube videos that she is making with her Mum, sharing signs so that others can learn more about British Sign Language. She also talks about growing up with sign language as her first language, and learning English at nursery age. She talks about moving into halls and starting university so young, and having been used to a quiet household. She loves her sport and her friends, and is also aware of an impact on her mental health, and she shares with us ways she develops to stay mentally well.

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For Coronavirus updates and advice,and FAQs please see the University webpages here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/covid-19

The Chaplaincy blogs ‘For Times Like These’ https://www.ed.ac.uk/chaplaincy/for-times-like-these are written specifically for mental health and wellbeing support during lockdown, as are these mindfulness virtual drop-ins: https://www.ed.ac.uk/chaplaincy/mindfulness-and-wellbeing/mindfulness-virtual-drop-ins

For University support

The University Listening Service (for students and staff) is continuing throughout the lockdown, listening.service@ed.ac.uk

Student Counselling Service, https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-counselling

Staff Counselling Service, https://www.ed.ac.uk/counselling-services/staff

If any of the issues in this broadcast have affected you and you’d like support, here are some helplines.

If you feel that you or someone you are with is in danger right now, please call 999

A 24/ hour emergency mental health service, Mental health assessment service

us on 0131 537 6000.

· Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87

· The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90

· Edinburgh Crisis Centre 0808 801 0414

Alison Hendry is the British Sign Language Development Officer with the University of Edinburgh Student Disability Service. She is joined for this podcast by her BSL interpreter Anna Spence.

Alison tells us about the challenges for communication and technology that lockdown presents for her, and her appreciation of the BSL Scotland Act, which led to the creation of her post at the University, and which ensures that all Scottish Government Covid19 updates have an interpreter present so that people are not missing crucial information. Alison also talks about the anxiety of moving her BSL teaching on line, how imposter syndrome can kick in, and how regular connections with family and friends helps to keep her spirits up. During Deaf Awareness Week Alison made a series of videos, including one where her Mum gives herperspective on having a deaf child. It’s very informative - have a look here: -  https://twitter.com/alisonhendry16/status/1259483570986418178?s=21

To access this episode with subtitles, please see our University podcast page here:

Heather McAdam, a third year undergraduate intercalating with Global Health, and soon to return to the Medical School, is also the Student Association Rep for the Medical School and founder of the mental health support community, WellMed. Heather spoke in the previous Let’s Talk podcast series, on suicidality. Now she is back to tell us about her work during lockdown with the Scottish Government Mental Health Directorate, engaging young people in policy making. She describes some of the key challenges of lockdown for students, who are caught in a middle ground between governmental and societal focus on school education on the one hand, and business and employment on the other. Can governments and organisations reach out more to students, and now that the old social influencers have stepped back, can young people step forward?

For Coronavirus updates and advice,and FAQs please see the University webpages here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/covid-19

The Chaplaincy blogs ‘For Times Like These’ https://www.ed.ac.uk/chaplaincy/for-times-like-these are written specifically for mental health and wellbeing support during lockdown, as are these mindfulness virtual drop-ins: https://www.ed.ac.uk/chaplaincy/mindfulness-and-wellbeing/mindfulness-virtual-drop-ins

For University support

The University Listening Service (for students and staff) is continuing throughout the lockdown, listening.service@ed.ac.uk

Student Counselling Service, https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-counselling

Staff Counselling Service, https://www.ed.ac.uk/counselling-services/staff

If any of the issues in this broadcast have affected you and you’d like support, here are some helplines.

If you feel that you or someone you are with is in danger right now, please call 999

A 24/ hour emergency mental health service, Mental health assessment service 0131 537 6000.

· Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87

· The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90

· Edinburgh Crisis Centre 0808 801 0414