{"id":782,"date":"2026-04-07T14:32:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T13:32:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/student-life-and-guidance\/?p=782"},"modified":"2026-04-29T10:23:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T09:23:48","slug":"world-health-day-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/student-life-and-guidance\/2026\/04\/07\/world-health-day-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"World Health Day 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

World Health Day is a global health awareness day to mark the foundation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and to provide an opportunity to bring attention to a global health subject each year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The theme for 2026 is Together for health. Stand with science, which celebrates\u00a0the power of scientific collaboration to protect the health of people, animals,\u00a0plants\u00a0and the planet, especially during a period of misinformation.\u00a0You can find out more information on the\u00a0WHO\u2019s\u00a0World Health Day\u00a0page<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support available to you:<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking about health we wanted to remind you of some of the university services and teams who are on hand to support you if needed. You can find out more information about your health and support on the Student Life and Guidance (SLG) page of the Student Portal (Your Heath section)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have general concerns or need signposting to specialist services, don\u2019t forget to reach out to the SLG team<\/a>, or your Personal\/Clinical Academic Tutor (PAT\/CAT), to explore the support available to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a KMMS student, you can also access specialist mental health support from Mental Health Advisers<\/a> through the Kent Student Support and Wellbeing Service, which offers confidential help through drop-in sessions and appointments. The service can also provide free counselling<\/a> sessions with qualified counsellors. Alternatively, your GP can help offer support with mental health. You can find out more information about mental health support on the SLG page of the Student Portal (Mental Health and Counselling section)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At KMMS, we offer all students services provided by an external Occupational Health (OH) company, such as screenings and immunisations prior to your placement settings, to minimise any risks associated with this. We can also refer you to OH throughout your course, if your circumstances change, to help evaluate any adjustments to support you. You can find out more information about OH on the SLG page of the Student Portal (Occupational Health section)<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And of course there is also Olive, KMMS\u2019 therapy dog!<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We offer several drop-in opportunities for our students throughout the year for some canine cuddles. You can also follow Olive over on Instagram at @olivethekmmsdog.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animals can prove to be a highly beneficial wellbeing tool, as they can help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as provide companionship. You can find out more information about pets and mental health from\u00a0the\u00a0Mental Health Foundation<\/a>\u00a0and in\u00a0research\u00a0from the University of Kent\u00a0led\u00a0by Dr Adelina\u00a0Gschwandtner\u00a0from the University of Kent and Dr Michale Gmeiner at the London School of\u00a0Economics<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The universities also offer several animal therapy sessions, including with a duck! Be sure to check out the What\u2019s On section of the Student Newsletter for opportunities to boost your wellbeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Plants and the planet<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we enter spring,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a good opportunity to mention the impact of greenery on our health.\u00a0Nature helps to alleviate stress, stabilise blood pressure, and\u00a0help with anxiety and depression. Spending time outside is not only beneficial for your mental wellbeing, but also your physical health, providing you with vital vitamin D and\u00a0exercise opportunities. You can find out more information about nature and wellbeing from the\u00a0Woodland Trust\u00a0website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Health is integral to you as a student at KMMS, but also as a person. If you experience any physical or mental health concerns during your course, please do not hesitate to contact us<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Out of Hours Support<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need help outside of office hours, please see the immediate contacts of support on the Student Portal<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If at any time you feel your life is threatened or need urgent support from police or ambulance service call the emergency services on 999.<\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

World Health Day is a global health awareness day to mark the foundation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and to provide an opportunity to bring attention to a global health subject each year.  […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":435082,"featured_media":802,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t