Activate Learning celebrates World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is celebrated worldwide on 10 October each year.

World Mental Health Day campaign image

World Mental Health Day aims to raise awareness of mental health concerns and to encourage people to work together to improve mental health support for everyone. It’s a day to talk openly about mental health, listen to the experiences of others and make use of the support around you.

The theme of World Mental Health Day 2026, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is ‘Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change’.

This year’s theme highlights the importance of listening to people’s lived experiences of mental health. Conversations about mental health can make a real difference, particularly when people feel heard and their experiences help shape the support available to them.

At Activate Learning, we want every student to feel heard, supported and able to access help when they need it. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to start conversations, listen to one another and remind everyone across our college communities that support is available.

In May 2023, we launched our Mental Health Strategy, Mental Health Matters Here, which aims to support the mental health and wellbeing of everyone at Activate Learning. In addition, we have also created anxiety and stress courses for students too.

Supporting your mental wellbeing and studies at college

There may be times at college where you feel you may benefit from some additional support.

When we look after our mental health and wellbeing, we can better focus on and make the most of our studies, relationships and everyday lives.

To help you thrive in your personal life and at college, we offer lots of support services at college.

Your wellbeing and education are important to us. So, if you find yourself struggling, you can access:

World Mental Health Day - Activate Learning college support services

Who can I talk to at college about my mental health?

At Activate Learning, your dedicated Student Support and Safeguarding team are here to help with any of your mental health or wellbeing concerns.

We want everyone to feel safe, supported and heard. Services at college include:

Wellbeing Advisers

Our Wellbeing Advisers support students who need help with mild to moderate mental health needs, while the Safeguarding team retains responsibility for supporting students with moderate to high-level mental health needs.

The Wellbeing Advisers can support students with anxiety, questions around their identity or gender, loneliness, feeling down or low, struggling with sleep, or experiencing an upsetting life event such as relationship breakdown, bereavement or struggling with change.

Any staff member can refer a student to Wellbeing Advisers.

College nurse (Oxfordshire campuses only)

The college nurse service covers:

  • Contraception
  • Sexual health and guidance
  • Stop smoking
  • Mental health
  • Relationship advice and guidance
  • Healthy eating

Counselling

A free and confidential counselling service is available to all students at Activate Learning.

Mental health support

Whatever your mental health concern, we have a support package available to help you.

You can contact Student Support and the Safeguarding team by visiting them on campus, calling 01865 550 041 or emailing safe@activatelearning.ac.uk.

If you need support with your mental health outside of college hours, you can contact:

  • Samaritans: 116 123
  • Childline: 0800 1111
  • Police: 101
  • Emergency Services: 999

Ways you can boost your mental health and wellbeing

Ways you can boost your mental health and wellbeing

There are lots of ways you can boost your mental health and wellbeing outside of our support services at college.

On World Mental Health Day, you could:

  • Join a club at college
  • Join the Students’ Union, become a Student Rep or join the Student Leadership Team by chatting to your Student Enrichment Officer or Head of Student Experience
  • Borrow a book from one of our Learning Environments or read online via BorrowBox
  • Go outside and get active
  • Spend time with friends and family
  • Unwind by journaling or drawing
  • Take a break from or reduce your social media use
  • Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling
  • Take time to listen to someone else and give them space to share how they are feeling

Activities at college on World Mental Health Day

On World Mental Health Day, students will be encouraged to wear green clothing to demonstrate their support for the day. You can also join your peers for activities taking place on campus.

Clubs and activities at college

At each Activate Learning college, our Student Enrichment and Engagement team hosts a wealth of different clubs and activities.

These clubs are a great opportunity to meet new and like-minded people, build connections and support your wellbeing. Clubs on offer across Activate Learning include:

  • LGBTQIA+
  • Dungeons and Dragons
  • Photography
  • Football
  • Book Club
  • Board games
  • Basketball
  • Study club
  • Students’ Union
  • Student Reps
  • Philosophy or theories
  • Movie Club
  • Duke of Edinburgh Award
  • Christian Union

You can learn more about student clubs, events throughout the year and activities at your campus by speaking to your local Student Enrichment Officer.

If you’d like to start a new club, your Student Enrichment Officer would be more than happy to support this!

Activate Learning Learning Environments

Utilising our Learning Environments at college and online

Our Learning Environments offer in-person and digital services for all students. They offer many great resources to support your mental health and wellbeing.

They are a great place for quiet study and research. You can borrow books, read magazines, use the computers and more.

Activate Learning Online (ALO) is also a great resource. You can find out more about Learning Environments on ALO.

On ALO, you can learn more about:

Other World Mental Health Day resources

Here are some other World Mental Health Day resources that you may find useful:

We hope you have found this content useful this World Mental Health Day. Remember, starting a conversation and taking the time to listen can make a difference.

If you’d like to get involved in the conversation, join us via the Activate Learning social media channels using the hashtags #WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD2026 #MentalHealthMatters #StudentWellbeing #ActivateLearning.