We find ourselves in unchartered territory and in very uncertain times. To assist the UP community in navigating the way ahead, colleagues in the ‘psyche’ sciences and helping professions are sharing thoughts and advice on how to ensure and strengthen mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please click here to visit our new Well-Being@UP site.

The first in the series was written by Professor Norman Duncan, Professor of Psychology and UP Vice-Principal: Academic, whose reflection on kindness and gratitude was focused on a heartfelt thank you to staff who have continued to serve our students, the wider UP community and our country during a very trying time. Below is an extract from his message.  

“Colleagues, your commitment to our students and teaching excellence has not gone unnoticed, and I thank you for this. During the past few weeks, you have personified many of the University’s key values, such as commitment to academic excellence, social responsibility and social solidarity. It is your commitment to these values, I believe, that will enable us to fulfil our obligations to our students and society, despite the hardship and adversity predicted for the coming months. You embody the principle of living THE UP WAY.

Read Prof Duncan’s full reflection here, and check back regularly for helpful tips from other colleagues on topics including ways of strengthening emotional well-being, practising a growth mindset, and ideas for academic leadership during challenging times.

Contributions from UP staff in the helping professions are welcomed and can be sent to Professor Tharina Guse ([email protected]) for consideration. These must not be more than 400 words and should be focused on promoting staff or student well-being in a broad sense.

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In a similar vein, our Faculty of Health Sciences has been producing video content aimed at raising awareness around health-related issues arising from the pandemic.

Some of the topics covered so far include:

‘Working from home like a boss’ tips [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsfrhF9ywXs]

Mental Health – Coping with stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPXmZhEnGEA]

What students and healthcare practitioners must know about protecting themselves from COVID-19 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX6xusTqS7Y]

Expert information on the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, with Prof Anton Stoltz: Division of Infectious Diseases Department Internal Medicine [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIqkNelCL4Q&t=96s]

Advice on the coronavirus [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK1uqbnD-vA]

* Follow the Faculty of Health Sciences YouTube channel for notifications of all their new videos. [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGPlqjzyC3TY9R0MbsXfxQ/videos]