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Mental Health Advice
On this page you can find information on how to access your GP, what to do in a crisis,
how to help yourself, and sources of online and telephone advice.
Your GP
If poor mental health is interfering with your daily life, then the first thing to do is to seek help from your GP, using the normal telephone number for your GP practice. If they are not open, you will either be re-directed automatically to the out-of-hours GP service or you will be given another number to call. You can also phone 111 to access the NHS 111 service, which provides access to local NHS healthcare services, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you have difficulties accessing your GP then do consider trying the websites and helplines below.
Crisis support
If you are in a crisis, we strongly recommend that you contact your GP right away for advice and tell them how you are feeling, but there are other options too. If you feel suicidal, or like you want to hurt yourself, and you don't think you can stay safe, please go to the nearest hospital accident and emergency department. If you can, take the following steps: •Seek out the company of people who will help to keep you safe. •Make a plan of action that does not involve suicide or self-harm. •If you have items that may be dangerous for you at home, give them to a trusted friend, neighbour, the police or a pharmacist for safe-keeping until you feel stronger. •Minimise the use of alcohol or illicit drugs, using these substances are likely to make your recovery harder. •Think about your faith, loved ones, family and pets. Remember that these feelings do pass. When individuals feel better, they are glad that they did not act on them. There are effective treatments that can help, and there is no need to struggle alone. There may be reasons for hope. Sometimes the smallest reasons for living can get you through a difficult time. Papyrus offer national support to young people up to age 35 who are feeling suicidal. Available Mon-Fri 10:00am-5:00pm & 7:00pm-10:00pm and Weekends 2:00pm-5:00pm. Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 07860039967 Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org The Samaritans offer a confidential service so you can talk to someone. Call: 116 123 (available 24-7 free to call) Email: jo@samaritans.org (response time 24hrs)
Ways to look after yourself
There are several positive steps you can make to look after yourself. •Seek help as early as you can: Talk to your doctor, other health professional, or university counsellor to get the best help. •Talk to others: telling someone how you feel, sharing your concerns, and asking for support can help us understand how we feel. •Do something: Getting outside can be beneficial. Being physically active can improve mood, and exercise can have antidepressant effects. As best you can, try and do things that you enjoy and value. It is easy to stop doing positive things when depressed. Try and build things up in small steps. •Look after yourself: Try to eat regularly and healthily. When feeling unwell, it is easy to either skip meals or eat badly. Try not to turn to drugs or alcohol, they will make you feel worse in the long run. Try and have a regular sleep routine. •Connect with others: When feeling down, it is easy to withdraw. Mixing with others can help your mood. •Tackle problems: If there is a specific cause of your mood, trying to solve this might help. Write down the problem, all the different things you could to tackle it, and then try the best option. •Stay hopeful: Whilst it may not feel like it, you will eventually feel better. Most people recover and there are helpful treatments for you. The NHS has a series of self-help guides that you might find useful.
Helplines
The Samaritans offer a confidential service so you can talk to someone. Call: 116 123 (available 24-7 free to call) Email: jo@samaritans.org (response time 24hrs) Young Minds Crisis Messenger provides crisis support across the UK. Text: YM to 85258 (Available 24/7. Texts are free from most networks.) Papyrus offer national support to young people up to age 35 who are feeling suicidal. Available Mon-Fri 10:00am-5:00pm & 7:00pm-10:00pm and Weekends 2:00pm-5:00pm. Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 07860039967 Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org CALM offers support to young men in the UK who are down or in a crisis. Call: 0800 58 58 58 (Available Daily 5:00pm – midnight) Beat provide helplines for eating disorders which are open 365 days a year. These can be freely accessed on 0808 801 0677. FRANK: for friendly, confidential drugs advice, call 0300 123 6600. Childline offer confidential calls, emails, or online chats for anyone under 19 for support with any problem. Call: 0800 1111 (Available 24-7 free). You can also sign up for a Childline account on the website to be able to message a counsellor.
University Services
All our partner universities have wellbeing services where you can access advice and support. Click on the links below for more:
Other Websites
Student Minds is a UK Charity with lots of resources to help with the specific challenges to mental health that come with University life.
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YoungMinds are there to make sure all young people get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life’s difficulties.
Mind, the Mental Health Charity, provide information, advice, and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem and tips for everyday living. They also have information about specific mental health problems.
Rethink Mental Illness provide expert advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems, and provide services and groups, including resources specific to young people.
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Beat: The UK’s leading eating disorder charity.
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Alcoholics Anonymous: They offer telephone, online and face-to-face help and advice related to alcohol or a drinking problem.
FRANK: For friendly, confidential drugs advice.
Women’s Aid: offer information and support to those experiencing domestic abuse.
