The Mental Health Advisory service is a made up of a multidisciplinary professional team (typically Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers, or Occupational Therapists). The Mental Health Service aims to put students at the forefront of their clinical practice, working positively with risk, and empowering students to effectively manage their short or long-term mental health needs to support them to thrive in the university environment.

What we can help with

The Mental Health Service offers a range of interventions to students with complex or severe mental health difficulties. Intervention and support plans are developed collaboratively with each student following assessment, based on the individual’s needs and goals.

We aim to support students to get the best from their university experience, helping to develop confidence and independence in managing your mental health.

Our work with the Disability Service

If you have a mental health condition which is long-term or significantly impacts your daily life, you may be eligible for support from the Disability Service. You may still be eligible for support even if your condition fluctuates or is currently well-managed (e.g. by medication).

How to see a Mental Health Advisor

The best way to access the right support service for you is to come and talk to a Student Support Advisor at the 4 West Roper Centre to discuss your situation, or complete our online form to identify the best information and support for you.

What to expect from a Mental Health appointment

We offer appointments online using Microsoft Teams, by telephone, or in person at the 4 West Roper Centre.

In your first meeting with an advisor, we’ll explore your needs in more detail. We’ll ask about how your mental health is impacting you at the moment, as well as your previous experiences, your current goals, and what’s helped you in the past. From there, we’ll agree a tailored support plan.

Following assessment or intervention with our team we may make a referral for more specialist support from NHS services.

We offer support at all stages of a student’s journey, including pre-entry, returning from suspense, and transitioning to placement or to life after university.

Courses and workshops

We also offer a range of courses and one-off workshops to help you manage and overcome mental health difficulties and develop your emotional wellbeing.

You’ll be introduced to ideas for changing how you approach your problems and you'll learn new skills for building resilience and wellbeing. We aim to give you tools and support to overcome whatever is holding you back.

Confidentiality and safeguarding

Our support services are committed to the highest standards of professional practice and we respect the importance of confidentiality in all our dealings with you.

We also take our duty of care responsibilities for you seriously and if, at any time, there are serious concerns for your wellbeing or safety there are robust safeguarding measures in place to support you and keep you safe. See how Student Support deals with your confidential information.

24/7 support

If you are struggling and need advice, support, or just somebody to talk to, professional help is also available 24/7 from our free, confidential support line Be Well- Talk Now. Students can contact a trained adviser by phone, video call or live chat from anywhere in the world.

Emergency support

If you need to talk to somebody urgently about your, or a friend's or student's, wellbeing call one of the helplines listed in the urgent or emergency wellbeing support guide.

In cases of overdose and serious injury through self-harm you must seek immediate medical help by calling 999, even if you or the person you are with, do not/does not feel unwell. The effects of an overdose can be delayed by hours (even days) and can be fatal.

External support

There are several charities and organisations that can also provide support:

• The Samaritans who can be contacted on 116 123
  
• SHOUT offer a 24/7 text-based volunteer crisis support line - text 85258
  
• Papyrus Hopeline UK is a volunteer crisis line to support young people at risk of suicide, or who are concerned about someone else’s wellbeing