Content warning: Mention of suicide
Conscious Edinburgh is a registered mental health charity based in Scotland’s capital. It was created, as the catchy slogan goes, “by students, for students.”
In 2017, following the tragic loss of a close friend to suicide, Shanna and Anusan – then students at the University of Edinburgh – were moved to establish an organisation that could begin to tackle the deeply insufficient, poorly resourced mental health services available in Scotland at the time.
Since its inception, Conscious has evolved from a well-intentioned grassroots initiative into an impressively multistranded network, offering invaluable support to undergraduate and postgraduate students alike. Today, the charity plays a vital role in cultivating an increasingly compassionate academic community across Edinburgh.
Speaking to this year’s chairwomen, Mimi Langford and Nina Mattinson, my main takeaway was that this spotlight should serve in favour of the cause, raising awareness for the incredible work the charity is undertaking in supporting student mental health.
So, what exactly does that work involve? Made up of six dedicated teams, Conscious Edinburgh focuses on making mental health provision accessible to all. At the core of this mission is a subsidised therapy programme, ensuring that financial cost is never a barrier to professional help.
In addition to this, the organisation also runs peer support groups and offers mental health first aid training, equipping students with the skills to care for themselves and others in times of crisis.
Finally, the charity hosts a variety of inclusive community events, including a winter ceilidh set to take place at the end of November this year. These gatherings bring students together in a spirit of celebration, connection, and collective support, proving that Conscious truly is a beacon of empathy, action, and hope in these times of growing need.
Photo by Juri Takagi for Conscious Edinburgh
