The puppies from University Cribs came in a variety of sizes, shapes and breeds and were visited by approximately 200 students as one of a series of mental health workshops.

Each student enjoyed dedicated puppy-time to cuddle, relax and play providing the ultimate escape from what can often be a challenging time of year. 

The puppy room is one of many special events on offer as a part of the University of Bristol Student’s Union (Bristol SU) ‘Mind Your Head’ fortnight; a campaign aimed at encouraging students to think about and discuss their mental well-being.

The campaign isn’t purely pet-related, also offering a range of mindfulness sessions and panel discussions as well as a tea tent and forest hikes.

Bristol SU’s Student Living Officer, Stephen Le Fanu said: "Spending some time in a room full of furry friends is not just a pleasant antidote to revision boredom, but also soothes stress and boosts feel-good hormones. We want people to be as mindful of their mental and emotional health as they are of their physical health. By offering a broad range of appealing and approachable workshops and sessions we hope to provide support for a broad variety of needs and get people thinking about the mental wellbeing of themselves and others."

Mind Your Head fortnight precedes Mental Health Awareness Week which runs from 8 to 14 May and encourages people to look at mental health from a new angle: questioning why so few of us are thriving with good mental health.

The University of Bristol will support the national campaign with its own awareness drive; asking students and staff to be more conscious of their own and others mental wellbeing and signposting people to the support and services on offer.

The University has boosted its GP and counselling staffing and from September is investing an extra £1 million per year to enhance support for student wellbeing.  

Find out more about University support services here

View the full list of Mind Your Head workshops and events here