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Being at University can be very beneficial for our wellbeing. It keeps us connected with peers and other. We expand our knowledge and horizons. It gives us structure to our days.

There are a variety of support for you to consider when it comes to your wellbeing. This ranges from peer support or self-help, through to specialist off campus services.

Support-4-steps, Support-4-steps

 See the sections below for more information, links and contacts.

  • 1. Student resilience and self-determination

    support-step-1, support-step-1Peer support and self-help

    At various points throughout the lifespan, everyone will experience stresses and low mood as a reaction to various events that we face. Most of the time, when we face stress and distress, it will be a short episode, and we move on.

    • Friends, partners, family, and carers can be a useful way to overcome many of life's problems, (“problem shared, is a problem halved”).
    • Informal peer support is a great way to support each other. Your fellow students are going through most of the same things as you and understand your situation.
    • Peer Mentors can offer support with various aspects of your University experience from making friends and settling in, to helping you understand the expectations of academic study and dealing with assessment worries. Cumbria Mentor Scheme
    • Self-help is useful for lots of conditions and feelings. We have put together the following list of resources to help you support yourself. Self-help reading list
    • Many people find mobile apps useful in managing their physical and mental wellbeing. You can search your device's app store for apps that encourage and support things like mindfulness, fitness, mood diaries and more. Choose apps that have a good rating from users and also have a large number of users.

    We also have a long list of websites and contacts that provide information and support for a wide range of conditions and situations. Useful sites and links

     

     

  • 2. Welfare, guidance, sports and exercise

    support-step-2, support-step-2Non-specialist campus based services

    There are a variety of support for you to consider when it comes to your wellbeing. Sometimes are stress can be resolved with some practical guidance and welfare advice.

    • This could be tutorial or Student Progress Review with your personal tutor. Your academic tutors are also there to help. They can advise you on academic issues and signpost you to available support.
    • The Programme Administration (PAd) is there to help. They are your central admin contacts, but can also help and advise on all aspects of your time at university. The PAd is also there to help resolve problems when things do not go quite right with your studies.
    • You may need some support in your halls of accommodation from the Resident Life Team. Further information and contact details are available in your halls of residence.
    • The students' union is happy to help. UCSU offers a free, independent and confidential Student Support Service, across a range of Academic and wellbeing issues. The team, commonly support students with things like Extenuating Circumstances, Extensions, Academic Appeals, Complaints, Malpractice, Fitness to Practise, Health & Conduct Committees, Progress Reviews, Withdrawals, and Suspensions.
    • The Skills@Cumbria service supports you to develop your academic literacies throughout your programme. It includes a suite of online self-help resources accessible 24/7 via the university’s website.  It also provides group and individual advice and guidance through and alongside your course, via face to face, email or virtual means. The service is delivered by a team of professional Library and Academic Advisors within the University Library.
    • The Money Advice Service are here to help you plan your finances and manage your money whilst studying. We also produce information to help you to manage your money more effectively.
    • Exercise is crucial to being physically healthy, but it is equally important for your mental health. Check out UoCActive and the Sports Centre provision.
    • The multi-faith chaplaincy team offer a listening ear to all students, regardless of if you are religious or not.
  • 3. Anxiety, depression and interpersonal problems

    support-step-3, support-step-3Specialist campus based services

    There are a variety of support for you to consider when it comes to your wellbeing. 

    The Mental Health and Wellbeing Service offer:

    • Counselling
    • Psychotherapy
    • Mental health support

    to students with a range of emotional, psychological, personal, or mental health difficulties. Use the Mental Health and Wellbeing Service Online referral form to contact the service and book an appointment.

    If you have a disability (including a mental health condition), the University has a range of support measures that can help via the Disability Service.

     

     

  • 4. Acute, chronic or critical distress

    support-step-4, support-step-4Specialist external services

    There is a variety of support for you to consider when it comes to 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)

    Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments at hospitals will not only provide medical interventions when you are physically unwell or injured, but also if you are in acute mental health distress.

    If you are in acute mental health distress, and cannot get yourself to A&E, or if there is risk of harm to yourself or others - contact the emergency services. Dial 999 and ask for an ambulance (or police if appropriate).

    If you're feeling distressed and need urgent support:

    • contact your GP surgery to request an emergency appointment.
    • if your GP surgery isn't open, call the free NHS out-of-hours medical line on 111 and they will help you access the right services.
    • you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 to talk to someone at any time, day or night

    If there is a threat to life - call 999 for emergency help IMMEDIATELY. 

    We also have a long list of websites and contacts that provide information and support for a wide range of conditions and situations. Useful sites and links

  • Wellbeing and my studies

    The University understands that on occasion students may experience wellbeing difficulties that have a detrimental impact on their ability to study, beyond the normal sickness absence, and normal extenuating circumstances procedures.

  • Fitness to study

    Fitness to study

    The Fitness to Study Policy and Procedures aims to ensure a consistent approach to supporting students whose mental and/or physical wellbeing is of such concern, that interventions need to be put in place to support them by the University. The emphasis of this policy is on supporting a student’s wellbeing, where the wellbeing is having a detrimental impact on the student’s ability to study, or an impact on others around them, or poses a risk under Safeguarding or Health and Safety.

  • Disability and SpLD

    Disability

    Additional support services are provided for disabled students, which includes students with some aspects of mental ill health.

  • Safeguarding

    The University of Cumbria is committed to providing an environment that, wherever possible, is healthy, safe and considerate of the welfare of the children, young people and vulnerable adults who access its services and facilities.

  • Maternity

    Maternity / pregnancy

    Students with pregnancy and maternity issues are supported by our Student Maternity Policy

 

 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Service - Online Referral Form

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