Pause carousel
Play carousel
The event is part of series of mental health workshops for young people across the city
A live panel discussion that aims to provide young people with advice and support on how to look after their mental wellbeing is being hosted at Abertay University to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
The session is part of extensive programme of outreach activities organised by the BBC ahead of the Big Weekend which will be held in Dundee at the end of the month.
Taking place from Monday 15 May – Thursday 18 May, the outreach programme gives young people in Dundee the opportunity to attend workshops and panel discussions alongside experts from local charities who will offer their insights, stories and experiences, and lead discussions on the key issues around mental health.
Each session delves into different issues which are affecting young people in the UK with stories from those who have faced mental health struggles, as well as experts offering the audience help and advice on how to look after their wellbeing.
The sessions will be hosted by Radio 1 presenters Vick Hope and Katie Thistleton and will take place in locations across the city. The Abertay event was held today (Monday 15 May) and explored why people sometimes feel like the "odd one out" and how this affects mental health.
Panellists included poet Gray Crosbie, the disability historian Jessica Secmezsoy-Urquhart and the Drag Queen Miss Peaches.
Olivia Robertson, President of Abertay Students’ Association, said:
As a society, it is crucial that we recognise the importance of promoting good mental health and that we work to destigmatise the subject among young people. That’s why I’m delighted the University was selected to host today’s session as the topic of “not fitting in” is very relevant to students who may feel out of place when they transition to university. Mental health conditions are more prevalent than ever so hopefully today’s session encourages attendees to open up more about their mental health journey and shows them that they are not alone.
The Big Weekend was last held in Dundee in 2006 and featured headline acts such as Snow Patrol, Muse and Pink. It was originally due to return to Dundee in 2020 but was unable to go ahead due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tickets have sold out for this year’s event which will see top acts such Lewis Capaldi, The 1975 and Niall Horan take to the stage. 80,000 music fans are expected to attend the event which will be held in Camperdown Park from Friday 26 – Sunday 28 May.
Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, said:
This year’s outreach programme in Dundee focusses on an incredibly important topic affecting a vast majority of our listeners. I’m hugely grateful to the number of experts, charities and organisations who will be helping in the programme, it will be an extremely valuable and insightful week.
