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
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.
We 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
Video resources
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)
24/7 Support live chat and phoneline
24/7 Support live chat and phoneline
Spectrum Life 24/7 mental health live chat and phoneline
- 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: Spectrum Life – which also has lots of wellbeing content
UHI Mental health strategy
UHI Mental health strategy
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.