Student Mental Health Support
Sometimes your situation might feel overwhelming and you might want to discuss personal problems, old or new, with one of our trained counsellors. You can access counselling sessions through your local academic partner or through the UHI online counselling service.
All counselling and mental health services are now delivering therapeutic support and mental health advice online and via telephone, so you can access help wherever you are. Information on how to do so can be found on our counselling pages.
UHI has a 24/7 mental health phoneline. The phone lines are staffed by trained counsellors and psychotherapists, and students can ring or use WhatsApp/SMS to reach out:
Phone: 0800 031 8227
Text ‘Hi’ to WhatsApp or SMS: 07418 360780
You also have access to Togetherall , a 24/7 mental health support service which provides you with access to an online support community, self-help resources and a place to air how you are feeling anonymously. To join, simply sign up with your @uhi.ac.uk email address. There is also a Health and Wellbeing Facebook page which offers a wealth of support, advice and information around all matters related to wellbeing and student life.
Use the buttons below for direct access to information on what to do if you, or someone you know is in crisis and to link to the university online counselling information.
For anyone entering university, adjusting to life as a student; dealing with coursework, exams and being away from home for the first time can be potentially stressful and may also intensify any pre-existing conditions. Being at university can also be very beneficial for our wellbeing; keeping us connected to peers and friends, expanding our knowledge and our opportunities and provides structure and routine to our days.
UHI has developed a Mental Health Strategy, which aims to be a source of inspiration and commitment to improving mental health support throughout the Partnership, and to provide an environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle.
UHI and its partners offer a variety of support for you to consider when it comes to looking after your wellbeing. This ranges from self-help and peer support to Counselling and referrals to specialist support off campus.
Self-Help and Peer Support
Self-Help and Peer Support
We all experience stresses and low mood within our daily lives as a reaction to the daily pressures we face. Most of the time, when we experience distress and stressors it will be short lived, and we can continue with our lives.
- Friends, family, partners and carers can all offer support to us to overcome the bumps in the road that we may face.
- Informal peer support is also a great way to form support networks where you can support each other. Your friends and fellow students will be experiencing some of the same things you are and will be able to understand your situation.
- Self-help material can offer insight and support for lots of different issues we may be facing. View Self-help apps and Self-help websites to help you look at supporting yourself through your difficulties.
- We know that mobile apps can also be very useful on managing your own physical and mental wellbeing. You can search for these via your device's app store. Choose apps that have a good rating from other users and those which have many users, more of these can be found in the link in the step above.
Non-specialist support on campus - Wellbeing support, guidance and engaging in sports and activities
Non-specialist support on campus - Wellbeing support, guidance and engaging in sports and activities
We offer a variety of support for you to consider when it comes to looking after your wellbeing. Often, stressors in our lives can be resolved with some practical guidance and welfare advice.
- You may ask for support through your PAT or other academic tutors, they can advise you on academic issues and signpost you to available support.
- If you are staying in one of our Halls of Residence you may need ask for support through the Residence teams. Further information and contact details are available in your halls of residence.
- HISA, our Students Association is always happy to help. HISA offer support to all students around a range of issues and can help to talk over any of your difficulties together with signposting you to those that can help further. HISA also host a range of sporting events and activities and can let you know what is happening at your campus.
Specialist Student Support Services
Specialist Student Support Services
There is a variety of support for you to consider when it comes to looking after your wellbeing.
Our Student Support Teams across the partnership offer :
- Counselling
- Mental health support
- Personal learner support plans (PLSPS)
- Ongoing support
- Linking you into a specialist Mental health Mentor through DSA
These are available to students with a range of emotional, psychological, personal, or mental health difficulties.
If you have a disability (including a mental health condition), the University has a range of support measures that can help via Disability matters
Specialist External Services - Medical support for Mental Health
Specialist External Services - Medical support for Mental Health
There is a variety of support for you to consider when it comes to looking after your wellbeing. There may be times with you need to access specialist external support.
If you are experiencing moderate to acute mental health difficulties, you can always speak to your GP, who may refer you to specialist services such as:
- Community mental health teams
- Counselling
- Eating disorder services
- Crisis Team, EIP, in-patient services, etc. (depending on your specific needs)
Coronavirus and Mental Health
Coronavirus and Mental Health
This is a concerning time we are finding ourselves within and you may find that you are feeling worried and anxious about the spread of Covid 19 and how this might affect your and those you care about.It is very common to be having these thoughts and feelings and it’s important to acknowledge them and to try and focus on looking after our physical and mental health as we go forward.
A number of organisations have published guidance on mental health considerations relating to the coronavirus outbreak, including :
- Charlie Waller - What we do for parents
- Doctors of the World
- Families under pressure - Maudsley Charity
- Mind
- The Mental Health Foundation
- Parents and Young People
- World Health Organization
- Young minds
- Young Minds - Help for Parents
Continuing to manage your mental wellbeing with relaxed lockdown restrictions.
As we see the easing of lockdown restriction you might be having feelings of relief or of excitement, but we recognise that this is still a time where lots of us might still be feeling worried about the upcoming changes. It is quite common to experience a variety of different emotions and difficult thoughts and feelings during this time.
Mind has put together some guidance which provides tips on managing these and where you can access further support.
Guidance for those with ongoing mental health difficulties
If you are already experiencing mental health difficulties, then the outbreak of coronavirus may exacerbate or trigger compulsive thoughts and unhelpful behaviours, this is particularly relevant if you have pre-existing conditions such as an anxiety disorder or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Please use any existing support you have GP, Clinician, therapist, or other medical professionals) to talk through any of your worries. Be aware there are also an increasing number of online resources available for you.
A number of organisations have produced guidance for those who have existing mental health conditions :
- Anxiety UK: "Health and other forms of anxiety and coronavirus"
- BBC: "Coronavirus: How to manage Anxiety and OCD during the pandemic"
- Beat Eating Disorders: "Eating disorders and Coronavirus"
- OCD-UK: "OCD and Coronavirus Top Tips" "OCD and Coronavirus Top Tips"
Managing your mental health whilst staying at home
Most of us are being asked to stay at home expect for specific reasons. The restrictions placed upon us may be upsetting for several of us and have an impact on our mental health. During this time it is important to take steps to get a sense of normality into your day and to ensure you are doing things that you enjoy.
Some of our students have reported the following helping: -
Staying in Touch – keeping in touch with friends and family through a wide variety of social media platforms.
Do things you enjoy. Pick up that book you’ve wanted to read for ages, dust off your cook books and make that pudding you’ve wanted to; whatever it is try to find something to engage with which helps you to feel a sense of satisfaction and happiness
Create a safe and comfortable space – we all need time to
HISA Support – reach out to your local HISA Reps, they are there to support you and can connect you to other students and events that are taking place, together with pointing you in the right direction if you need support.
Spectrum Life
Spectrum Life
Spectrum Life our new Student Assistance Programme
- unlimited access to a telephone helpline 24/7, 365 days a year
- Offering help and support in managing whatever personal, study or work issues you are facing.
- UK: 0800 031 8227
- WhatsApp / SMS: 07418 360780
- Zen chat (online chat) through the portal if you are struggling to pick up the phone: Spectrum Life – which has access to lots of additional wellbeing content
Togetherall - 24/7 Mental Health Support
Togetherall - 24/7 Mental Health Support
- Previously known as the Big White Wall - an anonymous and stigma-free environment. Here you can take control for your own mental wellbeing.
- Peer support through our online community
- Resources for self-management
- Information and advice
- Guided support programmes on a range of common issues
- Monitored 24/7 by trained clinicians
People come to Togetherall for help with a wide range of mental health and wellbeing issues – from anxiety, depression, stress and trauma, to relationship problems and lifestyle challenges.
