What can I do if:
My friend is struggling to settle into their hall?
Encourage them to speak to the Residential Experience team if in University supported accommodation. Alternatively, if living in non supported accommodation, encourage them to reach out to Support & Wellbeing.
See help available at university
My friend keeps waking me up in the night for someone to talk to?
Encourage them to ring Nightline (0115 951 4985) and seek medical advice if they are struggling to sleep on a regular basis.
My friend is struggling to make other friends and has become very dependent on me?
Encourage your friend to join a society, club or take up volunteering. There are a diverse range of opportunities, and it is very likely there will be a society they will enjoy.
How can I help my friend access information about how to improve their mood and wellbeing?
There are a range of resources available on our wellbeing pages and UniHub:
Visit HealthyU
Visit UniHub
Togetherall – a free digital mental health service available to students – you can access using your university email.
Visit Togetherall
I am worried my friend is being bullied?
Encourage them to report the harassment to the university, or if necessary, you can report on their behalf. Students and staff can report anonymously or ask to speak to an advisor. If the behaviour is happening in halls supported by our ResX team they can also speak to the ResX team about this, and/or security/reception staff in the halls.
Visit Report and Support
My friend has become depressed and withdrawn?
They can speak to a member of staff and/or their GP. If they are unwilling or unable to seek help and you are worried that their mental health is getting worse, or the situation is undermining your own wellbeing, you should speak to a member of staff.
See help available at university
My friend is barely leaving their room and I can’t get them to come out and seek help?
If you are in university accommodation, speak to the Residential Experience team. If you are living off-campus in other accommodation, please contact a Support and Wellbeing Officer.
See help available at university
My friend has stopped attending lectures and I am worried they will drop out?
They can contact their Personal Tutor/Guide or Support and Wellbeing Officer. If they are not able to do this, you can speak to a Support and Wellbeing Officer yourself who can arrange for someone to reach out to your friend.
I am worried that my friend is self-harming?
They can access help from their GP and access support from voluntary organisations such as Harmless (harmless.org.uk). If you are worried about their safety and welfare, and/or the impact this is having on you, you should also seek help from a Support and Wellbeing Officer. If the student is living in university supported accommodation, you should also contact the Residential Experience team.
I am worried my friend may have an eating disorder?
Encourage your friend to speak to their GP who will be able to refer them to specialist support. If you are concerned you can speak to a member of staff.
See help available at university
My friend has started behaving bizarrely and is saying and doing very odd things?
If a friend starts to behave in a way that seems irrational, they may be experiencing an episode of psychosis. Behaviour can include hearing and responding to voices, hallucinations, delusional thoughts (especially paranoia) and dramatic changes in mood. If you are worried that this is happening to a friend, it is important to get advice as it may be difficult for your friend to understand that they have become unwell. You can access advice from a member of staff who may then refer your concerns on to the university Mental Health Advisory Service. Support is also available from the on-campus security team or via 999 in an emergency off campus.
Help available at university
Support in an emergency
Health services for international students
I am worried that my friend is drinking too much/taking drugs
I am worried my friend is not safe
If you think your friend is at risk of, or experiencing domestic abuse (within or outside the university community), please encourage your friend to seek help urgently, or seek help on their behalf, from security, the Police and/or specialist services.
Find out more about domestic abuse
You can also advise your friend to use the Report and Support platform to let us know what's happened/happening. The team have specialist Practitioners trained in supporting people experiencing domestic abuse. Completing the form does not mean you/they are making a formal report to the university, but will mean they can get support and advice about reporting options. The team are always led by the person in how they want to proceed, except in circumstances where there are safeguarding concerns.
Visit Report and Support
I am worried my friend has been sexually assaulted
Specialist services and support can be found on the ‘Let’s be Clear on Consent’ webpage.
Visit 'let's be clear on consent' page
The university have a dedicated team of qualified Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLOs) to support students who have experienced sexual harassment and or violence either recently or in the past. More information about SVLOs can be found online.
SVLO service
You can access the SVLO service via Report and Support by including your contact details. This is not making a formal report to the university, it is to enable you to access the support you need to make an informed decision on what to do next. The team are always led by the person in how they want to proceed, except in circumstances where there are safeguarding concerns.
Any concerns can be reported by you or your friend.
Visit Report and Support
I am worried that my friend is suicidal?
Help your friend by suggesting they see their GP urgently. If it is out of hours, you can help them access support at Accident and Emergency, where they can see a specialist from the Department of Psychological Medicine. If your friend refuses to accept help and you are concerned for their safety, ring Security if you are on campus (0115 951 8888) or the Emergency Services (999) if you are off campus. If you are worried, but not immediately concerned, ring Security on 0115 951 3013 for advice.
More information about suicide and support available can be found here:
More information about suicide and support
Emergency Support
I am worried about my friend, but they insist that they are fine
If your concerns are not urgent, contact your Support and Wellbeing Officer.
I am worried my friend is experiencing financial difficulty
The university finance department will discuss the options available for students facing an unexpected financial hardship.
There are useful links to other information such as budgeting on their webpage:
Financial support
The Student's Union Advice Service are also able to offer advice to students facing financial difficulty.
Student's Union Advice
My friend is an international student and is finding it hard to adjust to living and studying in the UK.
If your friend is finding it difficult and it has started to impact on their health and wellbeing, suggest they talk to their Personal Tutor/Guide or Support and Wellbeing Officer. There is lots of information to support international students including an international student welcome kit. If your friend is in one of our halls that our ResX team support they can also reach out to the team.
International student toolkit
Finally
Remember friends are often the first person we approach when we are having a difficult time. Supporting a friend can impact on our own health and wellbeing. Look after yourself in this situation. Remember your own priorities, self-care is important and it’s vital that you look after your own wellbeing. Student Minds has produced a guide which will help support you to look out for your mates, from starting a conversation to navigating the student journey.
Visit Student Minds interactive guide
The signs below are to help you consider if your friend may be in difficulty but not to diagnose or identify their potential problems.
Signs a friend may be struggling with their mental health
- Behaving differently than they normally do
- Crying or tearful
- Problems sleeping - usually sleep is less and broken, but sometimes can be sleeping too much
- Changes to appetite - usually a loss of appetite but can also be overeating
- Loss of concentration and poor memory
- Feeling very negative about themselves, their studies, the world around them
- Becoming socially isolated and withdrawn
- Feeling anxious or having panic attacks
- Drinking too much alcohol or using drugs
- Change in appearance - especially self-neglect
- Bizarre behaviour and not making sense
- Paranoia
Signs a friend may be experiencing domestic violence
- Unexplained bruising and signs of possible physical violence
- Loss of confidence/change in behaviour
- They have become isolated from friends and family
- They have stopped attending lectures and are not completing work
- They receive high number of messages and calls from their partner/family member when not together and constantly check their phone, must respond immediately and check in
- They seem very controlled by their partner/family member
- Their partner/family member may put them down and humiliate them in front of others
- Limited or no access to finances
Updated: August 2024