Look around you.
Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, 1 in 6 of the people around you will be struggling with a mental health problem at this time. 1 in 4 will have a problem at some time in their lives. Maybe it’s you, maybe it’s your flatmate or friend, partner or another student on your course.
The important thing is to know how and when to get help if you or your friends need it, or advice if you’re not sure what to do.
At the Students’ Health Service 1 in 4 of our doctors’ consultations is for a mental health problem.
Students, like anyone, can develop anxiety, depression, social phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, bipolar and schizophrenic disorders, as well as rarer problems such as body dysmorphic disorder and borderline personality disorder. (For more information see www.patient.co.uk )
If you are thinking of harming yourself, we want to help you.
If you can’t leave the house because of fear or low mood, we would like to hear from you.
If you think that life’s not worth living please talk to us.
If you know someone who is suffering, please encourage them to make an appointment with a GP or bring them in yourself. We don’t judge, we listen. We really want to help you.
This is what we do, this is why we are here.
It is time we as a society started talking more openly about mental health issues and how to deal with them positively.
Less stigma would lead to quicker access to help and better long term health.
So look around you… 1 in 6 of us is suffering.
Can you act today to help that person feel better?
Talk to the Students’ Health Service or Student Counselling Service for guidance, support or treatment.
Mental Wellbeing Week starts 20th February, at locations around the precinct, especially between Senate House and the Library, with free activities and much more.
Students’ Health Service; 0117 3302720
Other good sources of info;
Living Life to the Full (depression advice)
Moodgym (depression advice)
b-eat (eating disorders information)
Bipolar UK (bipolar disorder support)