MHAW 2025

Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 provides a timely opportunity to revisit #GetWarwickTalking project, which continues to create meaningful conversations across campus. We are pleased to share additional stories from Warwick staff and students, whose candid experiences remind us that vulnerability is strength and connection is healing. These personal narratives not only reduce stigma but also demonstrate the diverse ways our community members navigate their mental health journeys. By amplifying these voices, we foster a more compassionate and understanding university environment where everyone feels empowered to speak openly about mental wellbeing. Please

Jasveen K Palk - Warwick Foundation Studies (WFS)

Since mid-January 2025, I have been navigating a very challenging period in my life, struggling with anxiety and depressive thoughts. What began as work-related stress gradually spiralled into more serious mental health issues, including major panic attacks and recurring nightmares. These symptoms were deeply rooted in traumatic experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic, when I became a victim of identity theft through social media. I was hacked, and targeted by cybercrime, which left a lasting impact on my mental wellbeing.

The trauma of that period stayed with me, and by early 2025, my stress escalated into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I was hospitalised and have since been receiving support from NHS mental health services, working closely with the West Midlands Police and Action Fraud Cyber Crime Agency.

Thankfully, since the start of May, I have begun to see light at the end of what has been a very dark and lonely tunnel. Living alone, with a small circle of friends and limited connection with immediate family members—due to cultural differences—made this journey even more isolating. At times, I withdrew from people, trapped in a dark place with nowhere to turn.

Identity has always been deeply important to me. During the pandemic, I found myself creating a new identity as a way to cope and protect myself. Only a few trusted colleagues in my former department (WMG) ever knew the real me. In other roles across WBS, CLL, and now WFS, I kept my personal story private, never fully opening up due to trust issues that developed during those difficult years.

Today, I feel ready to move forward. I want to progress in my career, rebuild my network, and most importantly, raise awareness about the realities of mental health, trauma, and the impact of cybercrime. My story may be unique, but I believe that by sharing it, I can help others feel less alone. I no longer wish to live in fear or hide behind silence. I regularly donate to the Mind charity and actively engage to support people who are struggling, even when I'm drained and in pain myself. It does help to talk.

Olivia Cudworth - Warwick Business School (WBS)

Life can be very tough for me at times, as I’m a single parent to two young children and have struggled with anxiety and depression since my late teens. I was also diagnosed with ADHD in August 2024, however symptoms of this have affected me for as long as I can remember.

These conditions have previously caused me some difficulties in my career, however working at the University (in WBS to be specific) I feel truly seen, understood and supported in my mental health and neurodivergent struggles. I’m in an environment where I can thrive in spite of these struggles and that is down to having the most caring manager that I could ever wish for and being part of such a supportive culture. She encourages me to talk whenever I need to, she is an amazing listener and gives great advice, and she has also worked with me on reasonable adjustments for my conditions.

Sadly I also went through a traumatic event in November 2024 in which I was the victim of a serious physical assault by a neighbour, which of course had a very detrimental effect on my existing mental health conditions. The assault came after threats of violence that were unfortunately not properly dealt with by the police and my local council (who is also my landlord), and I want to advocate for how important it is to report issues like these as many times as is necessary to ensure something is done before such behaviour escalates into something more serious.

I also want to empower anyone else who has been through trauma to know that it does get better, you can get through it even stronger and more resilient, and talking about it with people you trust is pivotal. As well as opening up to close family and friends, I had a huge amount of support from my manager and some of my wider team, who listened with such care and compassion as I recalled the events and my struggles following it, which made it easier to get through such a difficult time. I also accessed counselling through the EAP which was a real lifeline for me at the time.

Coming Soon

If you're interested in sharing your story, please contact Tom.Ritchie@warwick.ac.uk

Oli's Story

Resources and Next Steps

If you were affected by any of the topics discussed within the videos or the website. Access support through the following:

• Access Warwick's wellbeing resources
• Samaritans Call 116 123
• Nightline Call 02476-522-199

• NHS Self-Help LeafletsLink opens in a new window

• NHS Talking TherapiesLink opens in a new window

• Every Mind MattersLink opens in a new window

Talk To Us

Do you have an idea for something that will help #GetWarwickTalking?

If so, we're all ears! We're always looking for fresh ideas and collaborations to improve your experience and bring new ideas to life.