5 September 2013
Healthy mind, healthy body - students get food for thought
Photo opportunity: 12-2pm on Campus Green, Balfour Street on Monday, 9th September. Athletes from Dundee University
Sports Union will be using a cycle-powered generator to make healthy fruit smoothies.
University of Dundee athletes will next week get on their bikes to promote the physical and mental benefits that exercise
and a healthy diet bring.
With the aid of a cycle-powered generator, the volunteers from Dundee University Sports Union will be making delicious,
nutritious fruit smoothies for their fellow students to enjoy free of charge at lunchtime on Monday, 9th September.
Student Services, Dundee University Students Union (DUSA), and the Sports Union came together last year to raise awareness
of the importance of diet and exercise and, in doing so, obtained a Healthy Body Healthy Mind Award. This national awards
scheme recognises institutions that actively promote sport and exercise as a means of maintaining good mental wellbeing.
The partners will now attempt to build on this work at the start of the 2013/14 term next week. As well as dishing up
free smoothies, they will be on hand to provide information about the services and facilities available for students looking
to embrace a healthy lifestyle.
Sports Union President Grant Murdoch said it was important to follow up on last year's achievements and continue to promote
sports and exercise to new and returning students.
'There are 43 clubs and associations in the Sports Union, representing a real variety for anyone looking to get involved,'
he said. 'Joining a club is not for everyone but with the Institute for Sport and Exercise at the University and other facilities
there really are loads of options for students here.
'Exercise has both physical and mental benefits and we're happy to speak about the links between good mental health and sport,
as well as providing students with information about who to contact if they are struggling with depression or other mental
illness. The Healthy Body Healthy Mind Award aims to tackle the stigma associated with mental illness, and we want to get this
message across to the whole student body.'
Launched by NUS Scotland and Scottish Student Sport, the Healthy Body Healthy Mind Awards are designed to help institutions
develop its mental health work into simple and positive areas which will have great benefits for both students and the
institution as a whole.
Universities must work to make the award known, make the issue known, implement practical changes on their campus, and pass
an evaluation of their mental health strategy to qualify for the award.
Sheena Stewart, from Student Services, said, 'This award is a very worthwhile one and we worked hard last year to ensure
Dundee received a star rating. We cannot rest on our laurels, however, and will continue to bang the drum to new and returning
students, regardless of their age.
'We will also be telling them about all the ways they can make their most of their time here, settle in, make friends,
immerse themselves in university life and look after their physical and mental health.'
Student Services have also organised a fairtrade vintage tea party promoting the work of the skillshare organisation,
which will take place between 12-2pm on Campus Green the following day.
More information about the support available to students at Dundee can be found at
www.dundee.ac.uk/studentservices/.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
