Support

This page contains some pointers for where you can look to find support for your mental wellbeing, as well as some tips on how to help those around you.

Mental Health Services

PhD students are at much higher risk than the average population of having mental health issues. It is incredibly important that you prioritise your mental wellbeing. The services listed below are places you can go to receive help and support. There are also some tips on what to look out for so you can help those around you who might be suffering silently.

Please note: if you are in urgent need of help, or believe someone else to be in urgent need of help, please call 999.

External Services

The following services are recommended by the iGGi universities but are not officially affiliated. They are national and international services open to anyone:

Samaritans: Samaritans are available to phone (116 123) or email free of charge at any time. They offer "a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you".
CALM: CALM’s helpline (0800 58 58 58) and livechat are open from 5pm to midnight everyday, 365 days a year. They also offer guideas and advice on a range of mental health issues.
Students Against Depression: a website offering advice, information, guidance and resources to those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking.
Student Minds: Student Minds is a mental health charity which aims to empower students and members of the university community to look after their own mental health, support others and create change.
SHOUT: Shout (85258) is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
Hopeline: Hopeline helps students and young adults in crisis by offering sound advice and a safe place to connect.

York

Within the University there is Open Door: a team of practitioners and wellbeing officers who are available to provide support. You can also contact college support, the Student Hub, or the GSA Advice Service.

There are also some York specific services which are not part of the University:

IAPT: IAPT offers evidence-based psychological treatments for stress, anxiety difficulties and depression. IAPT is not a crisis or urgent response service.
The Haven @ 30 Clarence Street: this is a walk-in service - there's no need to be referred by your GP or Care Coordinator. The Haven @ 30 Clarence Street offers a welcoming, safe, comfortable, non-judgmental and non-clinical environment. At the Haven, we will be able to provide information and emotional support if you are in crisis or feel you are heading towards a crisis situation.

QMUL

Students at QMUL have access to the University counselling service, who have mental health and student wellbeing advisers available to provide practical support and interventions. To refer yourself to this service, you can use the form provided on the website.

If you are in need of support while waiting for a counselling appointment, you have access to an online service called Togetherall.

Tips for Helping Others

It is not always easy to tell if someone is feeling down or struggling to cope. Here are a few things to look out for that might indicate someone is not feeling well:

Ups and downs in their mood
Wanting to hang out less
Changes to their routine, like sleeping and eating
Seeming flat or low on energy
Neglecting themselves, showering less, or caring less about their personal appearance
Seeming reckless or making rash decisions
Increased alcohol or drug abuse
Being more angry or irritable than usual
Talking about suicide/wanting to die in a vague or joking way
Giving away their possessions
Saying goodbye to friends and family as if they won’t see them again

Often the best thing you can do for a friend in this situation is listen to them. Let them know you’re worried about them and that they can talk to you in confidence.

Listen carefully to what they are saying without interruption. Sharing similar feelings can help someone not to feel alone, but try to avoid saying "I know how you feel" or "that happened to me" and going into long stories about yourself, as that can make someone feel silenced or that their story is not so important. Don’t try and fix things, pretend to know how they feel, or convince them how lucky they are, just give them space to chat. Allow them time to talk, ask questions like “how does that make you feel?” and reassure them that these feelings aren’t permanent and support is available.

Remember that everyone is different and what one person might breeze through, another may find more challenging.

If your friend doesn’t want to talk, let them know that you are there for them if they want to talk at another time. You could ask if there is anything else you can do to help, such as socialising or doing something practical for them. Remind them of the range of support services available.

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