The AlrightMate? campaign is all about encouraging students to check-in with their mates and start those all important conversations. Men's mental health and wellbeing can often be ignored or not seen as a priority and we want that to change. By checking-in and looking out for each other students can often be the first to spot the signs that something isn't alright.
The AlrightMateCampaign aims to:
- Raise awareness and start important discussions around men's mental health and wellbeing
- Improve visibility and access to support services available
- Break down the stigma people may face when opening up about their emotional wellbeing
- Ensure every Cardiff University student regardless of gender or identity knows they are entitled to support, and that speaking up and speak out about mental health is a strength, and not a weakness.
Starting conversations about mental health and wellbeing isn't always easy, but checking-in on your mates doesn't have to be difficult. Checking-in can be as simple as just asking a few questions and making sure your ready to listen. Take a look at some of the useful links below and check out our 5 things to remember to help you check-in on your mates in the right away.
Useful links
Remember these 5 things when checking-in on your mates
1. Ask open questions
It is important to allow your friend to go into as much or as little detail as they wish. By using open questions rather than closed questions with only yes or no answers you are allowing your friend to elaborate on what may be troubling. Rather than simply saying "are you okay?", why not try "how are you managing?" or "what is challenging you at the moment" .
2. Use reassuring statements
Whilst you can't promise that everything is going to be okay you can reassure your friend that it is good that they're talking to you or that you recognise the steps they are taking.
3. Try to avoid why questions
Whilst it can often be tempting to try and get to the bottom of the reason someone feels they do, it's important to make sure they feel comfortable and not intergated.
4. Don't force it
Sometimes you might catch your friend at the wrong time and it's important that you don't force them to engage in a conversation they may not be ready for. Judge the moment and maybe try again at a different time.
5. Check-in with yourself
Just as much as your friend may not be ready for a difficult conversation, you may not be either. Your wellbeing is just as important as anyone elses. So before starting the conversation make sure you're ready for whatever the answers may be
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Pwrpas ymgyrch IawnMêt yw annog myfyrwyr i edrych ar ôl eu ffrindiau a sgwrsio am eu lles. Mae iechyd meddwl a lles dynion yn aml yn cael eu hanwybyddu, neu nid ydynt yn cael eu gweld fel blaenoriaeth, ac rydym am newid hynny. Trwy siarad a gofalu am eich mêts gallwch chi fel myfyrwyr adnabod yr arwyddion cyntaf pan fydd rywbeth o’i le.
Amcanion ymgyrch IawnMêt yw:
- Codi ymwybyddiaeth a dechrau trafodaethau pwysig am iechyd meddwl a lles dynion.
- Gwella amlygrwydd a mynediad at wasanaethau cymorth sydd ar gael.
- Chwalu’r stigma y gall pobl ei wynebu wrth fod yn agored am eu lles emosiynol.
- Sicrhau bod pob myfyriwr Prifysgol Caerdydd, waeth beth fo'u rhyw neu hunaniaeth, yn gwybod bod ganddynt hawl i gefnogaeth, a bod siarad am iechyd meddwl yn gryfder, nid gwendid.
Nid yw dechrau sgyrsiau am iechyd meddwl a lles bob tro’n hawdd, ond nid oes rhaid i ofalu am eich ffrindiau fod yn anodd. Mae gofyn cwpl o gwestiynau a gwneud yn siŵr eich bod yn barod i wrando yn gamau syml gallwch eu cymryd. Mae yna gwpl o ddolenni defnyddiol isod a darllenwch ein ‘5 peth i’w cofio’ fel eich bod yn barod am y fath sgyrsiau.
Dolenni defnyddiol
Cofiwch y 5 peth yma wrth siarad â’ch ffrindiau am eu hiechyd meddwl a lles
1. Gofyn cwestiynau agored
Mae’n bwysig gadael i’ch ffrind siarad â chymaint o fanylder ag sy’n gyfforddus iddyn nhw. Trwy ddefnyddio cwestiynau agored, yn hytrach na rhai caeedig gyda dim ond ‘ie’ neu ‘na’ fel atebion, rydych yn galluogi eich ffrind i ehangu am beth sy’n eu poeni. Yn hytrach na gofyn “wyt ti’n iawn?” rhowch gynnig ar “sut wyt ti?” neu “beth sy’n dy boeni ar hyn o bryd?”
2. Defnyddio geirfa gysurol
Tra na allwch addo y bydd popeth yn iawn gallwch gysuro eich ffrind a’u sicrhau ei fod yn dda siarad am y peth, neu eich bod yn cydnabod y camau maent yn eu cymryd.
3. Osgoi cwestiynau ‘pam’
Er y gall yn aml fod yn demtasiwn ceisio deall pam fod rhywun yn teimlo fel y maent, mae’n bwysig gwneud yn siŵr eu bod yn teimlo’n gyfforddus a pheidio cwestiynu’n ormodol.
4. Peidio gorfodi’r mater
Weithiau, ni fydd yr amser yn iawn er mwyn cael y fath sgwrs â’ch ffrind ac mae’n bwysig peidio eu gorfodi i siarad os nad ydynt yn barod. Peidiwch orfodi’r sgwrs os nad yw’r amser yn gywir, a rhowch gynnig arni rywbryd eto.
5. Gofalu am eich hun
Yn yr un modd â’ch ffrind, efallai na fyddwch chi yn barod am sgwrs anodd chwaith. Mae eich lles chi yr un mor bwysig â lles unrhyw un arall. Felly, cyn dechrau sgwrs, gwnewch yn siŵr eich bod yn barod am beth bynnag fydd yr atebion.
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