Mental Health (Love Yourself)
Stress
Lectures, sports clubs, societies, volunteering, part-time jobs, exams...there's a lot going on while you're at Uni and it can get a bit stressful sometimes. Don't worry, you're not on your own and there's always help available.
During exam and revision periods stress and anxiety are common issues for students, even for those who appear calm and confident. For some people a source of stress and feeling like everything is 'coming in at you' around exam and module deadlines is linked to feeling you don't have time. A feeling of control can come from planning your studying and revision in advance and building in relaxing times.
Stress is a natural feeling but too much stress can cause disturbed sleep, sweating, lack of appetite and difficulty concentrating. If you have any of these symptoms think about talking to friends, family, your personal tutor, or Stephen Roberts, your Welfare and Community Officer at the Union.
Advice for friends/parents
Knowing how to support a friend or housemate who is experiencing mental health problems can be tricky, especially if they are reluctant to talk about these problems, or to get help themselves. There's no way of forcing someone to seek help – it takes a realisation that support is needed for it to be effective.
If you're having difficulty in supporting someone else, then help is also available for you. It is common that a transferral of problems takes place, and you can end up feeling worse than the person you are trying to help. If this is happening, or you need any advice then you can speak to your personal tutor, or use the University's free counselling and chaplaincy services for further help and advice. If you've got any questions about any of these services, or just need some more support then please get in touch with Stephen Roberts, your Welfare and Community Officer at the Students' Union.
Eating disorders
If you have an eating disorder, or know of someone who does there is support available from the University's Counselling service. You can either see a counsellor on a one to one basis, or attend one of the group sessions run by the service.
If you've got any questions about any of these services, or just need some more support then please get in touch with Stephen Roberts, your Welfare and Community Officer at the Students' Union.
Support
It can be easy to ignore mental health problems, especially if you think that no one will understand what you are going through, or just don't think that your mental health is something you can take care of. University is a different experience for everyone, but you would be amazed by the number of students who at some point experience stress, anxiety, or depression at some point during their time here. You don't have to define yourself as being mentally well or unwell, but seeking support for what you are experiencing can be really valuable.
It can be difficult knowing who to speak to or where to go if you feel you do need support, but one of the great things about being a student is there is a lot of help available to you. Friends can be a great support and will often understand, though you can always speak to your personal tutor, or use the University's free counselling and chaplaincy services for further help and advice. If you've got any questions about any of these services, or just need some more support then please get in touch with Stephen Roberts, your Welfare and Community Officer at the Students' Union.
