By signing the ‘Time to Change’ pledge, the Students’ Union and Student Support Mental Health Team are helping to promote the ‘Look after your mate’ campaign launched by mental health charity Student Minds.

Michele Flynn, the Students’ Union Chief Executive, has placed her full support behind the initiative.

“It humbles me to sign this pledge on behalf of Beds SU and I would like to confirm we are in this for the long haul,” she said. “This is not a publicity stunt or photo opportunity; it is a true commitment for change and action.

“Beds SU is committed to supporting students who are experiencing mental health issues. We need to recognise the signs of declining mental health, to intervene at earlier stages and to make sure people know where they can go for help and advice.”

Alongside the signing, the Students’ Union hosted an event where students and staff were given advice on how to support people with mental health issues. They were also granted the opportunity to propose their own ways on how to deal with friends or family with depression, dementia or any other mental illness.

The Students’ Union Vice-President of Welfare and Equality, Rebecca Boyle, said: “The campaign is to get people to challenge their misconceptions about mental health issues. The team in Beds SU put together an action plan which consists of awareness campaigns and events that we can put together over the year.”

For any staff or students who would like to know more about the pledge, or want to put up their own suggestions on the ‘Pledge Wall’, information is available in The Lounge, Campus Centre, Luton.