Your mental health matters to us!

The importance of prioritising your mental wellbeing, today and every day.

Did you know? 1 in 4 students have a diagnosed mental health issue and 30% said their mental health has got worse since starting university (according to research by Student Minds).

University Mental Health Day aims to bring together the university community to discuss and open up conversations around mental health so that no one feels alone. Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health and it can be easily overlooked. Looming deadline pressures and the culture of a student lifestyle can massively impact your mental health and knowing where you can access support is vital.

UAL are running wellbeing events for students at various college sites on Thursday 14th March.

Here4U are giving away free wellbeing bags as part of University Mental Health Day too. You can find these well-bags at the reception of your halls! These bags are available all year round, aimed to provide you with a moment to unwind. You’ll find tea, biscuits, facemasks and tips to help relieve stress in your well-bag. Get yours today!

The student lifestyle comes with a unique set of challenges:

👉🏻 Living away from home for the first time

👉🏻 Managing your finances and living on a budget

👉🏻 Coursework deadlines

👉🏻 Meeting new people

👉🏻 Being away from your support network

What to look out for in yourself and for friends around you:

🫂 Anxiety: a very common mental health problem in students which becomes a problem when worries, fear and tension about everyday life impact the ability to perform everyday tasks.

🫂 Depression: the most common mental health problem in students. Depression is a build up of low mood or feeling that lasts for a long time. Those suffering with depression find it hard to complete simple everyday tasks and can feel very isolated.

🫂 Suicidal feelings: there are more reported incidents of suicide in the student community than in the wider general public. If you are suffering with thoughts about ending your life, there is help out there for you. It can feel like a very lonely place but there are specialist teams available 24/7 such as the Samaritans.

What to do if you or a friend are struggling with your mental health:

📞 Talk to someone: it can feel scary to open up to someone and put your feelings into words when you’re struggling with your mental health. Find someone you trust to speak to and know you’re not alone.

📧 Student services: UAL have a dedicated team to support you throughout your studies, whether you’d like to access a free counselling session or have help with essay writing, student services provide professional help to help with all kinds of problems and challenges that students face.

💜 Here4U: This Halls Life wellbeing programme provides dedicated support and assistance to students in halls. Sign up for a coffee and chat if you need a friendly face to speak with, read our online guides or reach out via email for any wellbeing advice.

💻 Online support: There are a huge range of platforms and resources you can use to learn about mental health. A lot of these platforms provide helpful and practical advice to help you take control of your mental health.

🌟 Samaritans

🌟 University Mental Health Day

🌟 Mind

🌟 NHS Student Mental Health Support

University Mental Health day shines a light on the difficulties and challenges that are specific to students so that we can openly talk about mental health in a safe space.

Your mental wellbeing is a priority and it’s important that if you or a friend are struggling to reach out. You’re not alone and there are lots of ways you can access support quickly.

Find more information about what mental health support and services are available at UAL.

Want to know more? Get in touch:

E: hallslife@arts.ac.uk

T: +44 (0)20 4586 3219

Instagram: UAL_HallsLife