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 well-being 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 doctor's appointment to access university counselling.
Urgent appointments
If you have a 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 day's emergency supply.
Medical certificates
Medical certificates should be requested by email or using the online form.
Helplines
Helplines
- Shout Call 85258 for free 24/7 support
- Help with suicidal thoughts with a link to emergency helplines
- Student Space Options 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, 7 pm – 11 pm
- Samaritans Bristol – 24-hour free local and national helplines Phone: 116 123
Useful mental health resources
- Student Space Student support and advice with the option of telephone, 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 runs online 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 an LGBTQ+ activist and support group called Freedom Youth.
- The Birch Collective are a Bristol-based charity that run nature-based activities for young people to enhance resilience and mental health. They even have a free 5-day residential camp every summer!
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 disodered eating. 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
Are you lonely or finding it hard to look after yourself or find support ?
Student Health is lucky to have what's called a "social prescriber" There are so many different options of support and activities on offer and not everyone will find the same things helpful. Siobhan can spend time with you talking through options both in and outside the University such as accessing exercise, nature-based activities, art or music activities, volunteering, counselling and much much more! If you find it hard to get started or don't know what you might enjoy, having a session or two with Siobhan could be the answer. Book to consult with Siobhan for free by speaking to a GP or mental health nurse.