Mental health problems
We are here to support you if you are struggling with your mental health, for example with stress, anxiety, depression or an eating disorder. Anything you tell us will be completely confidential and cannot be shared without your consent.
- Request wellbeing support from the University
- University self-help Pages
Making a mental health appointment
Speak to a doctor or one of our specialised mental health nurses.
To discuss support for your mental health, medication, or accessing disability support, you can book a routine appointment by phone or online. You don't need a doctors' appointment to access university counselling.
Urgent appointments
If you have new or worsening mental health problem, you can book a same day appointment by phone. These appointments are not for medication reviews or a routine review of ongoing mental health problems. Please try to plan your medication so that you don't use these urgent appointments for when you run out of medication. If you do run out and have a regular chemist, they can often issue you with a few days emergency supply.
Medical certficates
Medical certificates should be requested by email or using the on-line form.
Eating disorders
Having disordered eating can be very difficult and can make you feel anxious and depressed, as well as affect your studies. Please come and talk to us by booking an appointment, even if you are not sure whether you want anything to change right now. You may just want to have a chat, you may feel ready to get help, you may just want to know about your options. Don't forget that anything you discuss with a doctor or nurse is completely confidential.
Signs of an eating disorder
If you are constantly thinking about food, feeling guilty about food or restricting food, you are likely to have elements of an eating disorder. If so, you are not alone. Many Bristol students seek help, support and advice because they have a problem with food. Unfortunately, many more suffer in silence or are too frightened to make any changes. Students often tell us that they feel they don't have a 'proper' eating disorder because they are still coping in many ways. It is true that the body can cope with quite extreme malnutrition or variable intake for a long time, but it can also be dangerous. Untreated eating disorders can cause problems with low mood, anxiety, sleep , concentration, recovery from illness or injury and can be harmful for your heart, your bones and your fertility.
You can read more and get online support or befriending service from the charity TalkED and this excellent local charity SWEDA
Helplines
- Shout Call 85258 for free 24/7 aupport
- Help with suicidal thoughts with a link to emergency helplines
- Student Space Option of telephone support, web chat, text and e-mail support
- 24/7 Support & Connect – A free NHS confidential 24/7 helpline for people who live in Bristol, North Somerset & South Glos. Freephone: 0800 0126549
- MindLine telephone helpline – out of hours confidential listening service Freephone: 0808 808 0330 Seven days a week, 7pm – 11pm
- Samaritans Bristol – 24 hours free local and national helplines Phone: 116 123
Useful online mental health resources
- Student Space New site for student support launched during COVID – good articles but also the option of telephone support, web chat, text and e-mail support
- Students Against Depression This website has several excellent sections such as “I am having strange thoughts” and “I am struggling to go on”. Practical advice on prevention and treatment, self-care, safety planning and more.
- Student Minds new guide for starting university with advice on time management, study skills, relationships, addiction, identity, mental illness and where to go for help if you need it.
- The Mix Advice, blogs and articles on mental health, money, coping with families, being a carer, relationships , drugs and lots more. They also have 1-2-1 online chat and text messenger options..
- Off The Record run lots of great on-line workshops and activities for young people aged 10-25 years from yoga to book clubs, as well as peer mentoring and activism. There are self-harm support groups and lots more. They also have a LGBTQ+ activist and support group called Freedom Youth.