Mental health and wellbeing

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Pro-actively taking care of your mental health and wellbeing can play a key part in having a positive and successful university experience.   

 

It is recognised that one in three students will experience poor mental health at some point during their studies. We aim to provide you with information that will help you take care of yourself. We all experience times when we struggle, we want you to know it's ok to feel this way, and if things get too difficult support it avaiable if you need it.  

 

 

TOGETHERALL


Togetherall provides a safe space for members to engage anonymously with a wider network of people across the world who understand what it's like to struggle with mental health.

Members can share thoughts and feelings, ask questions and access support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Togetherall is the only digital mental health service registered with the Care Quality Commission and are utilised by the Education sector, Military and the NHS.

 

How to join

  • Visit Togetherall's website 
  • Click 'register' 
  • Select 'I'm from a university or college'
  • Register with your academic email address (@nottingham.ac.uk)

Togetherall is available via the app or through the website using a device connected to the internet.

Read the Togetherall user guide for full instructions on joining and using Togetherall.

To find out more about Togetherall, watch the introductory video below.

 

 

 

 

Self help strategies & self care

Our lifestyle and other aspects of self care can influence our mental health and wellbeing. The following links provide helpful information and tips:

Mind have lots of self-care suggestions and tips 

A blog from Mental Health Foundation ‘Moving from self-destruct to self-care’

Student Minds: looking after your mental health

NHS: every mind matters, information, advice and guidence

NHS: self-help guides

Protecting your mental health: A practical guide for postgraduate research students in STEM

Young Minds charity fights for a world where no young person feels along with their mental health.

Eating nutritious food can improve emotional and mental health. Check out the HealthyU eat well page for more information, as well as quick and easy HealthyU recipes.

Evidence suggests the 5 ways to wellbeing can help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life

 

Living with mental health issues

Some students come to university with a pre-existing mental health issue or diagnosis. Some students may develop problems when they are here, and a number of students will help support students who are struggling.

Here is some useful information about types of mental health issues and where to go for help and support.

University Disability Support Services support students who have a disability, mental health difficulty, long-term medical condition, autistic spectrum condition, or a specific learning difference such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or ADHD.

University Wellbeing team offer wellbeing support to all students.

NHS Self help guides

Mind has lots of useful information if you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health problem and you want to find out more about it, including treatment options and where to go for support.

Rethink Mental Illness: Studying and mental illness.

 
 

Understanding & managing stress 

Stress is our natural response to threat or sense of emergency. When we feel under threat, our bodies go into a ‘fight or flight’ response. We all experience stress and a bit of stress can be helpful and motivating. However, too much stress, for too long, can be overwhelming and if unaddressed can impact negatively on our wellbeing.

Mind: How to Manage Stress explains what stress is, what might cause it and how it can affect you. 

Information from the NHS on stress and how to manage it.

 

Relaxing

Learning to relax is important as it helps you to manage stress. Identify what helps you relax and make time for it. Maybe chill out with friends, take part in an exercise class  or join a Students' Union group.

UonSU activities, societies and groups

Mental Health Foundation: Relaxation response technique podcast

Top tips from Mind

Young Minds

University Counselling Service workshops and groups

 
 

Sleeping problems

There is a close relationship with sleep and mental health. Sleep problems are common and can affect people in different ways. The amount of sleep people need varies from one individual to another, but as a rough guide try to aim for around 6 - 8 hours.

Sleep Foundation review of the best sleep apps and top tips to help you sleep better 

Mind offer guidance on how to cope with sleep problems

 

Concerned about suicide

If you are having suicidal thoughts or you are concerned about a friend, here is some information on who you can talk to and how you can look after yourself or your friend during this time.

 
 

LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ people are more likely than their peers to experience mental health challenges. Those that are part of the LGBTQ+ community face additional challenges and have needs and concerns that should be treated with dignity and respect.

NHS LGBTQ+ mental health support guide provides information, advice and contact details of support service​​​​​​​

Local support

University of Nottingham Students' Union LGBT+ Network represents all students at the university who do not conform to the hetero normative or cis normative expectations of society (and therefore anyone who self-identifies as LGBTQ+). This also includes anyone who experiences any sort of homophobia, biphobia and/or transphobia.

Notts LGBT+ Network provides information and support to the LGBT+ communities in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire county.

Derbyshire LGBT is Derbyshire’s only LGBT+ specific support service. They support anyone who is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender or anyone who is having issues with their sexual orientation or gender identity, this includes family and friends.

 

Bereavement

Some students come to university having lost a loved one as a child and others may experience bereavement while at university.

Grief affects everyone differently and can have major implications on an individual’s mental well-being, education and social life. 

Your local GP (doctor)

Cripps Health Centre: 0115 822 7979
Orchard Practice, Kegworth: 01509 672 419

University Wellbeing team can provide guidance, help and advice.

Chaplaincy provide individual  bereavement support to students of any faith or none. They also run a programme called the Bereavement Journey

Funding and Financial Support will discuss the options available for students facing an unexpected financial hardship. 

Students’ Union Advice can help students with information, advice and representation  round all aspects of student welfare.

Nightline is a student-run service providing confidential listening and information.

NHS Grief after bereavement or loss 

UoN guides Coping with loss and bereavement and Coping with traumatic experiences and traumatic loss

The Student Grief Network 

After Life x CALM: Hope is Everything. 

 
 

Mental health and finance

Evidence shows that students experiencing financial difficulties in the UK were at a greater risk of developing mental health difficulties than their peers. Visit the links below for helpful information about managing your finances.

Managing your money - The University of Nottingham includes links to UCAS budgeting and an online budget planner.

The Student Money Manual - a guide to managing your money at university and beyond.

StudentMinds - Cost of living includes a range of support and resources.

 
 
 
 

Extenuating Circumstances

Have your studies been affected by illness or unexpected events?  Then you may be entitled to a claim for extenuating circumstances.

Extenuating Circumstances procedure is intended to support you if you experience exceptional, unforeseeable, short-term circumstances which affect your ability to study or take assessments. 

Find out more about extenuating circumstances and how to apply.

 

 

Who to contact if you need support?

Support at university

Support and Wellbeing This service if the first point of contact for student wellbeing support. They can refer you to support and wellbeing practitioners, counsellors and mental health advisors as well as provide information about other local wellbeing services you can access.

Visit The Wellbeing Team page to find out more about the Support and Wellbeing team, as well as other services available. To book an appointment with support and wellbeing service visit StudentLife.

The Residential Experience (ResX) Team  

Chaplaincy

Disability Support Services provides student led support if you have a disability including mental health difficulty 

 

Support from Students' Union

Nottingham Nightline 

Students’ Union Advice 

 

 
 

Local support

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call NHS 111: People in mental health crisis in England can now call NHS 111.

Your local GP (doctor) Cripps Health Centre: 0115 846 8888

Orchard Practice, Kegworth: 01509 672 419

Turning point : The Nottinghamshire Mental Health Helpline offers access to support for people who need emotional support or information about their mental health.

The service works alongside the Nottinghamshire Crisis Line, providing personalised advice, emotional support and information on coping mechanisms.

NottAlone Local mental health advice and help for young people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

The Nottinghamshire Crisis Sanctuaries provides mental health crisis support to the communities of Nottinghamshire. The Crisis Sanctuaries are for anyone near, or at crisis who need a safe space to talk.

 

Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services (IAPT) provide assessment and treatment for people with ‘mild to moderate common mental health problems’ without the need for a GP referral.

Services available are:

Harmless provides support for people affected by self-harm

Kooth on-line counselling for young people

 

 

Support if you have been sexually assaulted or have experienced domestic abuse

Samaritans, 24 hour confidential emotional support service.          T: 116 123

Alcohol, drugs, smoking, addiction and gambling includes information about local support

Domestic abuse, information, advice and support

Eating Disorders contact your GP who may refer you onto a specialist service.Beat Helpline provide information and support.

 
 

Other sources of information and support 

NHS Mental health helplines

Student Minds is the UK’s student mental health charity

Young Minds is the UK's leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health

Mind Mental Health Foundation provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem

Papyrus is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.

What's up with everyone campaign

Help and support after a traumatic event

Trauma a guide for young people

Mental health support for the Jewish community

Mental health within different communities

UKCISA mental health support for international students

 

 

The University of Nottingham

University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD

telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 5151
fax: +44 (0) 115 951 3666
email: studentcommsoffice@nottingham.ac.uk