London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

My top tip to manage your own mental health

Sidra - MSc Public Health for Global Practice: Just a quick reminder to take care of your mental well-being. Stepping outside for a walk can really help—it gives you fresh air and a mental reset. I know that juggling intense studies, living away from home, and navigating life on your own can be tough at times. But you’re never alone in this! If things ever feel overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out—to friends, classmates, or even the School’s mental health advisor. Remember, support is always there, and you should never suffer in silence!

Sagun - MSc Health Policy, Planning & Financing: 1) Spend a few hours in a peaceful environment or park. 2) Prioritise rest—take breaks from your laptop and mobile phone. 3) Go for walks or hike to nearby natural places with friends, and connect with supportive people. 4) Always calibrate my expectations to deal with unexpected bad results

Megan - MSc Control of Infectious Diseases: I am an avid runner and find going for a run helps clear my head. There are great run clubs to join around London as well!

Aathishree - MSc Public Health: Self-care and taking things at my own pace. Time is precious when you’re a one-year master's student at LSHTM but I believe no amount of time is a waste when you dedicate it to pampering yourself. Be it making art, doing skincare, reading books or whatever hobby it may be, don’t hesitate to treat yourself this way at least once a week if not whenever you feel like it. Also, I don’t think the grind and hustle culture is good for our mental health. Everyone’s got their own strengths and ways of approaching their tasks. So I strongly recommended accessing your strengths, acknowledging your weaknesses and approaching challenging tasks at your own pace and with your own rules. 

My top spots to go to treat myself better

Sidra: A walk to Primrose Hill on a sunny day with a cup of coffee is great.

Sagun: Walking from Westminster to Tower Bridge along the River Thames – The flow of the River mirrors the flow of my emotions and ideas, making me feel calm and refreshed. Watching the water and the cityscape helps me clear my mind and find inspiration.  Spending a few hours every Saturday in Regent’s Park – The peaceful greenery, fresh air, and natural surroundings help me feel relaxed and recharged. Being in this environment makes my mind feel cool, fresh, and rejuvenated.

Aathishree: I don’t have any out-doorsy special spots. I feel most relaxed and content when I’m in my room by myself. Maybe that’s because I’ve been meticulous about making it my safe space. I also find being around a few of my closest friends (in the same room or on a video chat) to be very comforting. Good friends are a blessing so always cherish them and give them your time. 

Places I would go to get mental health support if I need it

Sidra: The School's mental health advisor Mary is a great person if you are ever struggling. She would make you feel seen, heard and acknowledged.

Sagun: I spend my weekends in green spaces like Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, as the open, natural environment helps me reset emotionally and brings a deep sense of joy and clarity to my mind.

Aathishree: Seeking therapy for mental health still remains a taboo in India, my home country. This is not to say no one takes help from therapists but decisions to do so are not acknowledged or supported enough. I’ve faced this limitation personally. I instead speak to my closest friends and my mother. But I do not recommend this as a practice. Friends and family are very good support systems but they should not be made responsible for managing our mental health. So, if you’re someone who has the will and financial capacity to seek therapy, I highly recommend it. If not, sitting with your thoughts via meditation or free-writing about what you’re feeling when you’re down in your diary really helps. These things helped me critically analyse my thoughts and emotions and this self-awareness has positively impacted my mental health a lot!

My other tips

Aathishree: I am sometimes too hard on myself and have lots of self-doubt. But I’m learning to manage this. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I like to ask myself “What’s the best that could happen?”. Our thoughts and words have a lot of power. So I recommend a little bit of optimistic thinking every now and then. 

• Read more about the student support services LSHTM provides.
• Why not explore London and its public health history? Watch Megan's top recommendations!
• Read Ashna’s 11 tips on navigating Imposter Syndrome during the MSc.
• Learn more about University Mental Health Day (external link).