World Mental Health Day takes place every year on the 10th of October. It reminds us why good mental health matters and how we can prioritise it in our lives and communities. It’s also a moment to talk openly and listen to what others are experiencing.
The theme for 2026 is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change”. It aims to highlight how conversations about mental health make a difference. These conversations matter most when we listen to people’s experiences.
Talking about mental health can feel hard. Many of us worry about saying the wrong thing, and that can stop conversations before they begin. But these conversations matter.
On Wednesday, The President Team organised a Wellbeing Fair in the SU with local services and student groups who aim to look out for you and your wellbeing. Resources from these services can be located in the Hive Space for you to access at any time throughout the year, not just on World Mental Health Day.
If you're struggling with your mental wellbeing or are looking for ways to improve your mental health, there are steps that can help get your mental health journey started and help you to maintain your wellbeing that you can incorporate into day-to-day life....
1. Get active
Many people find that physical activity can help them improve and maintain good mental health. This doesn't have to mean going to the gym every single day or running marathons; there are lots of different ways you can be active and keep your body moving.
Here are a few ideas for how you can get active today:
- Join one of our 50 sports clubs to meet new people and get active.
- Come along to one of our Give It A Go activities from just £3 in the SU Gym and Plymouth.
- Join the SU Gym to get access to classes and a dedicated fitness space on campus.
- Check out the Plymouth Active app: book fitness classes and activities, including public and student swimming sessions at the Life Centre.
- Walk to your classes or get off the bus a stop earlier than usual and walk the final part of your journey to university.
- Go for a walk at lunchtime or after your lectures (download the Plymouth Trails app to find great walks in Plymouth)
2. Learn something new
We're always learning new things – often without realising it. Feeling like you're learning and developing can boost your self-esteem.
And sometimes, setting goals can help you to feel more productive and more in control of your life.
What can you learn today? Here are a few ideas:
3. Give back
Evidence has shown that helping others can have a positive impact on your own mental health, so whether it’s reaching out to a friend or housemate who may be struggling, or getting involved in volunteering, take that step and be kind.
- Make a cup of tea for a friend and chat.
- Offer to help a friend with something they are stuck on whilst studying.
- Introduce yourself to another student, particularly if they look lost or alone on campus.
- Explore our volunteering opportunities and give back to your community.
4. Connect with others
Forming connections with others can help us feel seen and valued for who we are.
Being social can mean different things for different people. You may be someone who prefers being in less crowded situations and in quieter settings with one or just a few people, or you could be someone who thrives in bigger crowds.
Here are some ways you could make a connection today:
- Join a student group or go along to their activities.
- Regularly take part in one of our Give It A Go activities.
- Explore volunteering opportunities, including group day trips.
- Attend our events, such as Board Game Evenings, Chuckle Chamber, Live Sport in the SU, Jam House and Karaoke nights and meet new people.
5. Take notice of your surroundings
Remind yourself to take notice of how you are feeling and when. This is particularly important if you struggle with your mental health. It is important to understand what triggers your feelings of stress and/or anxiety. This is all part of practising 'mindfulness'.
Here are a few ideas to help you stay mindful of how you are feeling, and how to enjoy the environment around you in the moment.
- Get a plant for your workspace, as seeing and being around plants help us feel calmer and more relaxed.
- Have a ‘clear the clutter’ day, studies have found that maintaining a tidy house can help you feel relaxed and accomplished.
- Go to one of our weekly yoga classes at the SU Gym, physical yoga practice can help lead to enhanced mindfulness.
- Visit a new place in and around Plymouth, read our article: 'Places to go and sights to see in Plymouth' for suggestions of new places to visit.
Download mental wellbeing apps:
There are some great apps that support your wellbeing, some of which offer guided meditation based on the latest scientific research. You can see below some of our picks, which are free or discounted for students.
- Talk Campus: The University of Plymouth partners with TalkCampus, giving you access to a global online wellbeing community for students. Offering 24/7 safe, anonymous peer support, connecting you with millions of students from around the world to talk about the ups and downs of life.
No judgement, just real conversations with students like you. Use your university email address to create a free account. - Unmind: Unmind is a mental health platform that empowers you to proactively improve your mental wellbeing. Using scientifically backed assessments, tools and training, you can measure and manage your personal mental health needs, including digital programmes designed to help with stress, sleep, coping, connection, fulfilment and nutrition. Unmind is free for students for 12 months via UniDays.
- Balance app: This award-winning meditation app is great for individuals who want to focus on their sleeping habits, reduce stress, and achieve more with balance. Free for your first year when you download the app.
- Headspace: Headspace is a 'science-backed app' for mindfulness and meditation, providing unique tools and resources to help reduce stress, build resilience, and aid better sleep. They offer limited free features for you to try. As a student, you can get Headspace for just £7.99 a year.
- Forest app: Forest is an app that helps you to stay focused. How does it work? When you need to stay focused, plant a free. Your tree will grow while you focus on your work. Leaving the app halfway through will mean your tree will die. Stay focused daily and turn hard work into a land of lush forest!
We understand that university life can be highly stressful and that every student will have their own unique experience and cope in different ways. As your Students’ Union, we are here to support your wellbeing and provide you with practical advice when it comes to taking care of your mental health, as well as signpost you to support services provided by us, the University of Plymouth and externally if you need it.
Find out more about the support we can offer with
SU Advice. You may also find the following articles helpful when it comes to looking after your mental wellbeing at university:
Advice for looking after your mental health:
Tips for making friends:
Worried about a friend, housemate, or fellow student?
Volunteering: