World Mental Health Day: Vidura’s reflections on mental health

9 October 2026

To mark World Mental Health Day, we spoke to Queen Mary alum Vidura (Aerospace Engineering MEng, 2012) about what good mental health means to him, how his own experiences have shaped his understanding of mental health and what advice he would offer to others who may be struggling.

This year’s World Mental Health Day theme, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” highlights the importance of listening to people’s experiences and creating opportunities for open, honest conversations about mental health.

Vidura is an engineer and mental health advocate who uses his personal experiences to inspire and support others. Through his journey with depression, he highlights the importance of mental health awareness, self-expression and resilience. He currently runs a STEM education service for schools working with children.

Vidura was previously featured in our alumni blog in 2021. You can read his alumni profile here.

 

What does good mental health mean to you, and has your understanding of it changed over time?

For me it means being able to function every day with a healthy mind and making sound choices. Having a good mental health will also allow us to function better physically.

My understanding of mental health has certainly changed over time due to my life experiences. I have grown to understand that mental health impacts not just us but those around us.

From your own experience, what have you found helps you protect your mental health when life becomes difficult?

I found that doing the basic things helps a lot. This includes maintaining a good sleeping pattern, eating well and exercising regularly. Swimming and the gym are two activities I turn to, and I always feel better not just physically but mentally after these activities.

Additionally, I believe therapy and external support are also essential during difficult moments in life. We all need support.

Are there any lessons from your own experiences with mental health that you wish you had known earlier?

Yes, certainly. I had depression during my entire teenage life. During those times, I made irrational decisions due to my mental health. It’s only when I recovered during my early twenties that I was able to fully understand what depression led to and my irrational thoughts. If I had understood better what depression was and how it was impacting me, I would have made better life choices then. 

Today, I'm more aware of my vulnerabilities due to my life experiences and I can recognise and respond better to my own mental health needs and daily life choices.

This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change”. Why do you think it is important for people to be able to speak openly about their experiences of mental health?

I believe real-life stories are very impactful and can lead to better changes for society. I have heard people compare depression for example, to being sad. However, I believe those people don’t fully understand the impact of depression. It’s only by sharing our stories that we can make a difference and do our best to make others understand how mental health can affect us.

I also believe it will lead to more struggling people seeking better support for themselves.

What would you say to a student or fellow alumnus who may be struggling with their mental health?

Acknowledge the problems and then explore solutions. Sometimes the hardest thing for us is to acknowledge that we have a problem. There are many solutions to our mental health struggles. My advice would be to get support from your friends, family and if necessary, from professionals.

Secondly, do what you can to make your life stable and maintain healthy choices regarding daily living (sleeping, eating well etc.).

Understand that mental health struggles can last a long time. Learn what makes you vulnerable and be aware of what impacts you negatively and positively so you can improve your own wellbeing.