Ways universities are approaching mental health support

Sofia Tysonon 23 April 2018
Ways universities are approaching mental health support

University is a big place - and can wreak havoc with our mental health. Given the deadlines, loneliness and big life changes, we all need a little help sometimes.

This is exactly why we’ve compiled a list of the top 7 ways your uni might be able to help you out.

Expressive activities

Often poor mental health stems from a cluster of negative thoughts and a distraction can take you away from those, even just temporarily. Distractions at Uni are pretty easy to find! Just look on the union website events tab. The best ones for mental health are expressive and allow self-reflection.

For example, Mindflow at UCL offers a space for students to explore their feelings, troubles and relationships through the mode of expressive painting or meditation. If your uni doesn’t offer this - why don’t you change that? Talk to the union about making a society or event for expressive activities. It’s time to channel that stress into something that makes you feel good!

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Great campaigns

Feeling isolated is the WORST.

It’s important to know people care, and that you aren’t the only one feeling this way. Campaigns are great at raising awareness of these things. The University of Bristol did just that with their Be Mankind campaign which brought together students, lecturers and sports coaches to talk about male mental health. Since its creation this time last year it has encouraged men to open up about their problems and feelings.

The campaign used expressive photos and quotes of men sharing their emotions and experience of mental health. The portrait album is set out to illustrate two sides of the same men being sat at the same table to show how any man can be affected by mental health problems, and how many people are willing to listen. We know it isn’t always easy to put on a brave face, so you don’t have to.

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Silvercloud subscriptions

One of the most important things about mental health support is access. We don’t only feel low during office hours and we don’t always know where to go when we do. Many universities make support services available to you wherever you are, whenever you need them. SilverCloud works a bit like CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and is provided by specialists.

Whether it’s anxiety, stress, depression or self-image that you’re struggling with - Silvercloud is a sign-up away. Within a few clicks, you’ll be sent new coping techniques, ways to develop self-awareness and ways to challenge those negative thoughts. The best bit? Your uni has already paid for your subscription - you just need to log in via their page!

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Big White Wall

Big White Wall is a lot like Silvercloud - but more personal. If your university doesn’t offer one, it probably offers the other. Support is available 24/7, so there's no need to wait. It’s a community of members who support each other to share their issues in a safe digital environment.

It’s great if you find the idea of your university’s support office intimidating.

Whilst it targets the same issues as Silvercloud - it offers clinical tests and group therapy. If you just can’t get yourself to the doctor or can’t face the support office then Big White Wall is here for you.

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MHFA Courses

Looking after each other is the biggest job we have - spotting signs, listening and responding. But what if we don’t know how to do these things? Over 30 universities offer MHFA courses to train us to better help those in need - including ourselves.

The course aims to make students more confident in spotting the signs of mental health issues and then how to approach these when they do occur. It covers everything from anxiety and depression to suicide, psychosis and eating disorders, and it goes through step-by-step what to do if you’re confronted with a situation in which somebody is disclosing to you that they are suffering.

If you take part you receive a mental health training kit containing useful resources and websites that can help direct people to the correct services. Let’s stop feeling helpless and become experts in supporting one another.

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Well-being zones

Often being stuck in our bedroom, munching on our eighth bar of Galaxy is the worst place to be if we want to feel better. Escaping the environment you’re constantly in can relieve some stress. Most universities will have a designated quiet space you can use to get away from everyday life when it gets tough.

St Mary’s University offers a well-being zone in the library with sessions held weekly and the University of Leeds have ‘feel better fruit’ and colouring. So if you’re looking for a place to relax - the library might unexpectedly be the place to be.

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Just being there

You might not see them, but there are SO many people you can contact on campus whose job it is to be there for you. Whether it’s personal tutors, student support officers or counsellors - they are trained to help you deal with your problems and if they can’t - they’ll know who can. It’s what they’re there for!

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If your university doesn't offer any of these, but you think they sound great - why not get in touch with your Student's Union? They're often looking for new ideas to improve students' mental health, and always appreciate suggestions.

What support does your uni offer? Join the Student Hut Community today and let us know in one of our paid surveys.

Sofia Tysonon 23 April 2018