EIU Newsletter May 2022
Contents of this page
News and updates
In case you missed it
Awareness and religious dates
Support and services
News and updates
The ‘Employee Guide to dealing with stress and mental health issues at work’ has been updated
The Employee Guide has been updated to reflect the current working environment and to include a focus on positive mental health too. This Guide aims to help staff who are experiencing difficulties which are impacting on their mental health and wellbeing, and/ or wish to support and respond when a colleague discloses such difficulties.
The Guide was written by a cross-HR team and supports the updated Managers’ Guide (and training) which was updated in November 2021.
If you might have any questions relating to this, please contact Sally Rose or Nicola Neath.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 (Monday 9 to Sunday 15 May)
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is loneliness. Visit the EIU Mental Health Awareness Week webpage to find out how you can get involved, including details of events taking place across the University and a summary of the University support available to staff and students.
IDAHoBIT (Tuesday 17 May)
17 May is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHoBIT), and the theme for 2022 is ‘Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights’. The day is marked worldwide, including in 37 countries where same sex acts are still illegal. It was created in 2004 to raise awareness of the violence and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, including all people who have diverse gender identities or gender expressions.
The date of 17 May was chosen for IDAHoBiT as this was the date in 1990 when the World Health Organisation finally declassified homosexuality as a mental illness. Despite this, LGBT+ people across the world continue to face hate, discrimination and violence.
You join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #IDAHoBiT.
In case you missed it
100 Black Women Professors Now
University of Leeds is one of the six institutions collaborating with WHEN on the programme design and development of the 100 Black Women Professors (100BWP NOW) initiative. The aim of this programme is to promote equity of opportunity to create equality in the academic world and the journey starts with the first 100 Black women academics that will pioneer the path of change.
Deaf Awareness Week 2022
It’s Deaf Awareness Week from 3rd to 9th May and you can use the EIU Deaf Awareness Guidance to help improve the accessibility of your online teaching and meetings.
Awareness and religious dates
May 2022
9-15 May - Black Inclusion Week
9-15 May - Mental Health Awareness Week
12 May - National Day for Staff Networks
16 May - Ascension Day – Christianity
16 May - Spring semester exams
16 May - Vesak (Buddah Day) – Buddhism
17 May - International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
23 May - Pentecost – Christianity
24 May - Declaration of the Báb – Bahai
28 May - Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh – Bahai
*Please note the exact dates of the major Islamic festivals will depend on the moon sightings based on the lunar calendar. Please see the Ramadan Guidance for more information.
Support and services
Meno-Pause for Thought Café
Meno-Pause for Thought Cafés are informal meet-ups hosted monthly on Teams, which create time and a safe, respectful, and confidential space to discuss the menopause. The cafés are open to everyone irrespective of age or gender and no one is advised to follow any particular course of action in them.
Next session: Wednesday 25 May – 12:30 - 13:30. To book your place visit the Meno-Pause for Thought Café Eventbrite webpage.
Staff Networks
Staff peer support networks are organised by staff for staff, providing a safe space for colleagues to reach out to others within the University who identify with a protected group or who have specific interests. They provide a safe, welcoming and practical platform, where exchanging information, generating and sharing views and new ideas can be expressed in an informal environment. The networks also enable peer support, networking opportunities and social activities. Current staff networks are as follows:
Bipolar Disorders Staff Network
Chronic Pain and Fatigue Network
Disability, Accessibility and Mental Health Staff Network (DAMH)
We hope you find this newsletter useful. We welcome your feedback. Please contact us with any comments or suggestions for future newsletter items.