OUR MISSION
The Lancaster Semicolon Project is a campaign founded by a group of students in Lancaster University, in support of the American nonprofit organization known as ‘Project Semicolon'. Data has shown that twenty-seven per cent of students in higher education have reported having mental health issues, with over 1,300 students committing suicide in the past ten years.[1] We believe that suicide is preventable, and everyone can help make valuable contributions to save lives.
University should be a safe environment for everyone to talk about their mental health without judgement. We aim to raise public awareness of mental health by educating the community and encouraging more open discussions about the issue to challenge the stigma and discrimination against mental health. We also aim to invite more voices into the conversation about mental health; not just people who are struggling with mental health issues and people who are mental health advocates. Everyone in society should be part of this conversation because finding more information about mental well-being is one way to help create a more welcoming and accepting space for all.
Additionally, we recognize Lancaster University’s efforts to support students with mental health issues, but we believe the University can do more to improve and strengthen their services to ensure that all students are getting the support they need. Mental health is a serious issue, but it does not mean it has to be an uncomfortable conversation. We believe mental health should be treated and talked about in the same way as physical health. It is only through openly talking about mental health that can help get rid of the stigma and change lives. Lastly, we want people to know who to contact if they are ever in need to speak to someone or want to receive professional help.
[1] Megraoui, B. (2018). One UK Student Dies by Suicide Every Four Days – and the Majority are Male. Why? Top Universities, [online]. Available at: https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/health-support/one-uk-student-dies-suicide-every-four-days-majority-are-male-why [Accessed 20 Jan. 2020].
MANIFESTO
The Lancaster Semicolon Project is a campaign founded by a group of students in Lancaster University, in support of the American nonprofit organization known as ‘Project Semicolon'.
Data has shown that twenty-seven per cent of students in higher education have reported having mental health issues, with over 1,300 students committing suicide in the past ten years. We believe that suicide is preventable, and everyone can help make valuable contributions to save lives.
University should be a safe environment for everyone to talk about their mental health without judgement. We aim to raise public awareness of mental health by educating the community and encouraging more open discussions about the issue to challenge the stigma and discrimination against mental health.
We also aim to invite more voices into the conversation about mental health. Not just people who are struggling and people who are mental health advocates, but everyone else should be part of this conversation because finding more about mental well-being is one way to help create a more welcoming and accepting space for all.
Additionally, we recognize Lancaster University’s efforts to support students with mental health issues, but we believe the university can do more to improve and strengthen their services to ensure that all students are getting the support they need.
Mental health is a serious issue. But it does not mean it has to be an uncomfortable conversation. We believe that mental health should be treated and talked about in the same way as physical health. It is only through openly talking about mental health that can help get rid of the stigma and change lives.