BeWell: Recent Episodes
University of Aberdeen
The BeWell Podcast series will focus on a variety of topical wellbeing issues based on identified student pressure points and national health and wellbeing campaigns. There will also be the opportunity for staff and students to feed in topics they would like to see discussed in future episodes. Each episode with be hosted by our Wellbeing Adviser and will feature a panel of guest.
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser
Staff: Dr Nadia DeGama
Students: Yara Abughaidah, Manahil Sabir Ali, Amal Ameen
Key themes explored:
- Anxiety vs social anxiety
- Sharing personal experiences of social anxiety
- Tips for living with social anxiety
- Support available and ways to seek help
Resources
Health, support and Wellbeing
Counselling
BeWell
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser
Staff: Johanna Pilskog, Wellbeing Coordinator
Student: Sophie Levine, UG Student
Key themes explored:
- Sharing own experiences of anxiety or anticipation
- What to have on your ‘Checklist’
- What to look forward to
- Peer support and other support available
Resources
New Students
Essential Guides
Peer Support
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser
Co-host: Nick Edwards, Head of Student Support
Staff: Malcolm Harvey, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations
Student: Sam Johnson, UG Student
Key themes explored:
- Why don’t men talk about their mental health
- Stigma around “men don’t cry” ‘’man up’’
- Own experiences of sharing emotions with others
- Importance of supportive allies
- How to encourage other men to talk about how they feel
- Support available
Resources
Counselling and Student Helpline
Student Advice and Support Team
Crisis Text Line
Samaritans
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser
Staff: Wendy Lawrenson, Academic Skills Adviser
Student: Emily Biggar, UG Student
Student: Olivia Théorêt, PGT Student
Key themes to explored:
- Preparation and planning
- Sleep on learning and stress levels
- Practical advice and tips
- Services and support available at the University
Resources
Exam Study Support
Study Support
Disability Services
Your Wellbeing
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser
Staff: Bex Rodger-Jones, Engagement Communication and Inclusion Officer
Student: Elefheria Moschou, UG Student
Student: Ottilia Nummelin, 4th Year English
Key themes explored:
- Mental Ill-Health vs Mental Wellbeing (MH continuum)
- What “mentally healthy” means to you
- Putting yourself first while saying no to others
- Self-care and healthy coping strategies
- Support available at University
Further resources:
Support & Wellbeing
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser
Staff: Namrata Labroo, Student Counsellor
Student: Ottilia Nummelin, UG Student
Student: Orna Hogan, UG Student
Key themes explored:
- Impact of social media on our wellbeing (positive and negative)
- Pressures to portray the 'perfect' life and the ‘perfect’ body
- Early signs of social media anxiety and how to deal with it
Further resources:
BeWell - Your Wellbeing
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser
Staff: Julia Leng, Careers and Employability Adviser
Student: Nancy Jayakumar, PGT Student
Alumni: Micaela Edhager
Alumni: Izabella Kuna
Key themes explored:
- Anxiety about leaving university
- Pressure to find a job and be in your dream job
- Personal experience and the journey from an Alumni
- How the Careers and Employability Service can help you
Further resources:
Check out the Careers and Employability Service's graduates page to be kept up to date with opportunities available to you after you leave university.
As a graduate you still have access to appointments and our jobs board on CareerConnect, but you need to update your account and register with a personal email address. Find out more here.
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser
Staff: Josefine Bjorkqvist, Research Fellow and MHFA Network
Student: Duncan Massey, PGT Student
Student: Olivia Théorêt, PGT
Key themes explored:
- Correlation between lifestyle choices and your wellbeing
- Lifestyle choices, environment and learning ability
- Simple ways to make a positive lifestyle choice
Resources can be found here.
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser
Staff: Lesley Muirhead, Lead Student Support Adviser (Disability)
Student: Zane Suikovska (Msc Student), Sophie Levine (UG Student)
Key themes explored:
- What is a hidden disability?
- The role of the sunflower lanyard
- Being aware and reducing stigma
- Life as a student with a disability
Further resources.
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Staff: Amanda Lee (Chair in Medical Statistics & Director IAHS)
Student: Megan Donoher (4th Year English), Benjamin Cramer (PhD in Music Composition), and Lucy Koster (PRG Student)
Key themes explored:
-
Imposture syndrome and who it affects
-
Where does imposture syndrome come from
-
Dealing with imposture syndrome and overcome it
Resources:
- BeWell
- Have you experienced "Imposter syndrome"?
- Imposter Syndrome (kateatkin.com)
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser), Anna Goldhawk (Student Adviser AUSA), Lorna Thomson (School of Education Secretary and MHFA’er), Georgia-May Drennan (English Lit and French Student) and Kaleigh Innes (Psychology and Sociology Student)
Themes to Explore:
- Why we sleep and how much we need
- Sleep and cognitive abilities
- Lack of sleep on physical health
- Sleep hygiene strategies
Resources:
- Mental and Physical Health
- Sleep Foundation
- Exam Study Support – Sleep and Learning Video
- Your Sleeping Habits #can'tsleep (buzzfeed.com) – Sleep Hygiene Quiz
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
A transcript of this episode is available online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Guests: Wendy Lawrenson (Academic Skills Adviser), Sam Johnson (3rd Year Physiology), Godlin Mathew (3rd Year Physiology), Megan Donoher (3rd Year English)
Themes to Explore:
Planning and prioritising
Distractions and procrastination
Study tips and resources
Services and support available at university
Resources:
Exam Study Support
Study Support
Mental and Physical Health
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
A transcript for this episode can be found online here.
If you have been affected any of the issues discussed in this episode, please contact student.support@abdn.ac.uk or you can find information here.
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Guests: Alex Johnstone (Rowett Institute), Georgia-May Drennan (English Lit and French), Lisa-Marie Schuchardt (Master’s in Law), Kaleigh Innes (Psychology and Sociology)and Godlin Mathew (3rd Year Physiology)
Themes to Explore:
- Balanced diet vs crash diet
- Impact of diet on mental health
- Understanding food labels and nutritional value
- Eating well for less
Resources:
Mental and Physical Health
The Eatwell Guide
Information on food labels
Helplines - Eating Disorder Helpline
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Guests: Bill Naphy (History Lecturer), Natalie Campbell (MA English with Creative Writing), and Tilda Nilsson (Abdn Alumni)
Themes to Explore:
- Why we drink alcohol
- The impact of alcohol on our health
- Social and cultural differences on alcohol consumption
Resources discussed can be found here.
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
Transcript for this episode is available online here.
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Guests: Jemma Murdoch (Lead Student Support Adviser), Helen Balfour (4th Year Anthropology Student), Gabriella Shoemaker (1st Year Neuroscience with Psychology)
Themes to Explore:
- Work to live or live to work
- Creating separation and finding the balance
- Dealing with ‘guilt’
- Importance of self-care and prioritising you
Resources:
- Study Support
- Student Advice and Support Office
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
A transcript for this episode can be found here.
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Guests: Ian Robotham (Assistant Director, Applications Management), Mauragh Scott (4th Year Anthropology and International Relations), Rian James (3rd Year Geography and International Relations)
Themes to Explore:
- Impact that inclusion or acceptance has on mental health
- Perceptions of LGBTQI+ community
- Breaking the stigma and creating a more inclusive campus
- Advice and resources to support others
Resources:
- AUSA LGBTQ Plus Students Forum
- EDI page
- Trans Students' Forum
If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this podcast further please contact Ian Robotham (i.robotham@abdn.ac.uk) Co-Chair of the Staff and Postgraduate LGBT Network or contact AUSA LGBTQ Plus Students Forum (lgbtq.forum@abdn.ac.uk). If you would like to report an incident you can use our online reporting tool to start a conversation with a member of staff about your situation - Report and Support.
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
A transcript for this episode is available online here.
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Guests: Tim Baker (Lecturer in Scottish and Contemporary Literature), Lisa-Marie Schuchardt (Master’s in law), Kyle Greig (Aberdeen Sports Village)
Themes to Explore:
- Physically active lifestyle vs sedentary lifestyle
- Physical activity and your learning
- Barriers to being physically active
- Starting and/or staying active
Resources Highlight:
Home - Aberdeen Sports Village
Mental and Physical Health | Students | The University of Aberdeen (abdn.ac.uk)
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Guests: Abbe Brown (Dean for Student Support), Sian Wallace (Disabled Students’ Forum Committee), Bea Livesey-Stephens
(Disabled Students’ Forum Convener)
Themes to Explore:
- Impact of blended learning on the disabled student community
- Opportunities and advantages of online learning
- Stigma around mental ill health
- Support services and reasonable adjustments
Resources Highlighted:
- Disabled Forum FB group
- AUSA page
- Disability Services
- A summary on the EDI page
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Guests: Michael Kazibwe (PGT Student) and Marylee Anderson (University Chaplin).
Themes to Explore:
- Why the holidays can be the most difficult time of the year
- The impact of Covid-19 on students this festive period
- Staying connected and managing your feelings of loneliness and isolation
Resources Highlight
- https://www.abdn.ac.uk/students/support/winter-wellbeing-toolkit-4992.php
- https://www.abdn.ac.uk/students/support/health-3628.php#togetherall-free-online-mental-health-and-wellbeing-service
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Guests: Sam May (Lecturer in Politics and International Relations), Julie McLennan (Student Support Adviser), Michael Walker (5th Year Civil Engineering), and Nicole Blanchflower (5th Year Civil Engineering).
Themes to Explore:
1. Overcoming lack of motivation and productivity
2. Keeping class cohesion and social interaction
3. Improving your study-life balance
4. University resources for students who are stressed
For more information on the recourses discussed in this podcast please visit our website: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/students/support/counselling-3635.php#panel2379
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser
Guests: Ceri Trevethan (UoA Lecturer in Psychology), Helen Balfour (4th year Anthropology Student), Julius Lajtha (MA International Relations and Legal Studies Student), and Rick Hughes (Head of Counselling Service, Counselling Service).
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Rebekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser
Guests: Radeen Moncrieffe, Vice President for Communities from Aberdeen University Student Association, Annie Wilson, 4th Year Business and French Student and convener of the BAME student’s forum, Doyin Olalade, 4th year medical student and Vice President of Black Medics Scotland.
Themes Explored:
- Impact of racism both conscious and unconscious on mental health.
- Lack of black role models or people in power and how this can affect self-esteem.
- Breaking the stigma within different communities and how they understand and talk about mental health.
Resources that are available specific to Black mental health
Resources Highlight:
- Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (Blog, Podcasts, Reading lists) https://www.baatn.org.uk/library/
- Therapy for Black Girls Podcast https://therapyforblackgirls.com/
- Dr Yvette Arthur (resources and direct individuals to the right help) Instagram: @dryvettearthur
- BMS Aberdeen (direct students to appropriate resources) Instagram: @bmsaberdeen Facebook: BMS Aberdeen
- So We Glow Instagram - mental health support for the Black community (@so.we.glow)
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.