Let’s talk about disability and mental health

As a disabled student here at the University of Gloucestershire, I felt it was important that there was an opportunity for staff, students and the local community to have easy access to information about disability and mental health. I acquired a disability just before my 18th birthday so have experienced disability and mental health, both as a non-disabled person and as a disabled person. Going through this really highlighted to me the idea that,

“There is only one way to look at things, until someone shows us how to look at them with different eyes.”

(Pablo Picasso)

Disability and mental health are experienced differently by everyone, even within individual communities there are points of disagreement. However, this does not mean disability or mental health is something we should hide from. Some of us may have unconscious biases about disability and mental health, based on what we have experienced and or seen in the media. It is important to challenge our biases to help develop more inclusive day-to-day behaviours.

This Disability Confident Talis is a library of resources, aimed to give confidence when talking about disability and mental health, and potentially providing an opportunity to challenge bias through thought provoking stories. Alongside this it features pieces providing practical advice for both students, staff and the wider community; so that as a community, we are no longer bystanders, but confident participators in creating an inclusive society.

The resources have been gathered from a variety of people across the university and wider community, and I’d like to thank them for their contributions. These will be regularly reviewed, updated and added too. So, if you have anything you would like to see featured, please do get in contact!

I hope this Talis will provide an opportunity for everyone to learn more about disability and mental health, as well as provide an opportunity for students, staff and the local community to highlight areas that are important to them.

If you have anything you would like to see featured, please do get in contact: hstone2@glos.ac.uk

Don’t forget you can follow us @UoGEquality