Mental health support at uni
05 April 2024
A 2022 study by Student Minds found that 57% of people reported having struggled with their mental health, with 27% reporting having a diagnosed mental health condition. If you’re struggling with your mental health, you certainly aren’t alone.
It’s not surprising that university is a difficult time. You may have moved to a new city and be living independently for the first time while having to manage your studies, which can be a lot of pressure! This article is about where you can find support at university if you’re struggling with your mental health.
Student support
Your student support team will be there to help you with a range of issues, including your mental health and wellbeing. Depending on your university, you may be able to drop in and have a chat, or you may need to book an appointment. The team may offer you resources such as counselling services, mental health awareness programs, and peer support groups. They could look at your university course and ask you what would make things easier. For example, you may be eligible for financial support through the Disabled Students' Allowance.
Hannah talks about her experience accessing mental health support from her student support team:
“I’d been feeling low for a while and had started to struggle with my uni work. One of my lecturers booked me an appointment. I was really nervous at first, however, the lady was great! She sat me down and asked me how I was feeling and the impact it was having on me. I told her that I felt sad and lonely and that I was struggling to concentrate on my assignments. I told her I was worrying about upcoming exams and finding going to lectures overwhelming.
“She referred me to the counsellor and said she would support me in speaking to my lecturers and getting some extensions for my assignments. After speaking to the lecturers, I was able to get my lecture slides in advance, had consent to record the lectures if I was struggling to keep up, and had a smaller room to sit my exams in. These things didn’t solve my difficulties completely, but they made my day-to-day life a lot easier!”
Doctors
One of the first places people tend to think about going when they’re struggling with their physical health is the doctors, and this can apply for your mental health, too. Seeing your doctor is a great way to get some support, explore your options, and ask any questions you may have. If the idea of going to a doctor feels difficult or overwhelming, writing down what you want to say, or taking someone you trust along with you can be really helpful.
Friends and family
Friends and family can be a great source of mental health support. You don’t have to talk specifically about your mental health for it to be beneficial. You could set aside some time each week to have a chat with them, send them a message on social media, keep them updated on what you’re up to at university, and get updates about their lives. This can help prevent you from feeling isolated or lonely and give you time to think about something else.
Online support
Below are some websites you can access for support and advice:
- Student Minds is a registered charity that aims to support students to build their own mental health toolkit. On their student space, you can find information and advice on challenges you may face during your time at university.
- Nightline is a student listening service that provides emotional support and information to students. It’s run by students and is open at night when many other services are closed.
- Samaritans is a charity that provides emotional support for those who are struggling to cope or at risk of suicide. They work to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needs someone. You can access support for free by calling 116, 123, or emailing jo@samaritans.org.
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