Mental wellbeing

Being at University is an exciting phase of your life. You will be meeting new people and new ideas. The whole student experience is designed to stretch you intellectually, academically and personally. It will be challenging.

Give yourself permission to feel whatever it is you feel. Being curious about things requires uncertainty, confusion and sometimes vulnerability. There will be highs but there will also be lows. We all feel sad, worried, and overwhelmed at times. Remember it’s not just you who is experiencing this, every student is travelling the same path, even if some of them don’t have the courage to admit it.

Most people have some idea about what mental wellbeing is. However, there are big differences between advice-giving, support, counselling, psychotherapy, coaching and mentoring. At the University there are a number of people and services that can help you with all of these.

Who to speak to

Your school will have a Learning and Support Officer (LTSO) or a Student Experience team, there are also academics attached to each department who can support you if you are struggling. There are Peer Mentors trained in wellbeing support and help available for Muslim, Jewish and Christian students through the Chaplaincy team. There are independent advisors in the Guild and Wardens and Residential Advisors if you are in University residence. So the first step is to think about what help and support you really need.

If you are concerned that you cannot keep yourself safe then please do ask for help.