Mental Health Awareness Week – Resources for Students
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Mental Health Awareness Week runs from Monday 13th – Sunday 19th May 2024.
In a 2022 survey by the mental health charity Student Minds, 57% of respondents self-reported a mental health issue (PDF) and 27% said they had a diagnosed mental health condition.
Moving away to university can be daunting at times. It is important to know you are not alone when struggling with your mental health. There are plenty of resources you can access.
Whilst it may not be everyone’s favourite topic, it is an extremely important one. Know where to reach out if you are struggling:
Crisis helplines
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- Bristol Mental Health Crisis Line (24h, every day) 0300 555 0334
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- Bristol MindLine (Wed-Sun, 7pm-11pm) 0117 203 4419 or 0808 808 0330
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- Bristol MindLine (all other times) 0117 203 4419 or 0300 123 3393
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- Samaritans (24h, every day) 116 123 or 0117 983 1000
Bristol Nightline – for University of Bristol students (01179 266 266)
Bristol Nightline offers a confidential, impartial and non-advisory listening and information service to students of the University of Bristol. The service is open 7 days a week during term time, from 8pm to 8am by phone and 8pm to midnight by IM. There is also an email service available year-round: listening@bristol.nightline.ac.uk
Mermaids supports transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse youth and their families, up to their 20th birthday, and offers webchat support to gender-diverse students up to the age of 25.
Student Counselling Service (UoB)
Free individual, group, online, and telephone counselling for UK-based undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University of Bristol.
The UWE Wellbeing Service offers counselling and mental health support to students of UWE Bristol.
For more tailored organisations:
1.Drug misuse
Bristol Drugs Project (0117 987 6000)
Bristol Drugs Project is an organisation offering support for those seeking help with drug and alcohol use. Services include support groups, drop-ins and harm reduction advice, with specific support for students and the LGBTQ+ community in the city centre. It also offers free drug testing kits.
Email: info@bdp.org.uk
Narcotics Anonymous (0300 999 1212)
Narcotics Anonymous provides a space for those wishing to discuss their experience with narcotics, with the aim of overcoming addiction. In-person meetings are held in the city centre and Lawrence Hill – remote meetings are available too and there is no need to book a meeting in advance.
Email: pi@ukna.org
2. Alcohol misuse
Bristol ROADS (0117 440 0540)
Bristol ROADS (Recovery Orientated Alcohol & Drugs Service) operates in north, central and south Bristol and offers support to those preparing to make changes, attempting recovery and wanting to prevent alcohol and drug-related relapses. It offers an initial assessment followed by a welcome and action planning session to set a treatment goal, which can include the allocation of a recovery worker and a structured group programme.
Email: roads@dhi-services.org.uk
Alcoholics Anonymous (01904 644 026)
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) offers group meetings for those wishing to discuss their experience with alcohol and work towards overcoming addiction. In-person and remote meetings cater to members in any stage of recovery and their loved ones. In-person meetings can be found in Clifton, Redland, Hotwells, Easton, Horfield and Brislington.
Email: aainformation@gsogb.org.uk
3. Eating disorders
Bristol Eating Disorder Support Groups
Bristol Eating Disorder Support Groups holds bimonthly meetings on Whiteladies Road, one session a month is held for sufferers only, with another session a month open to sufferers and their accompanied or unaccompanied loved ones, providing a space for those affected to receive emotional support and share experiences. The organisation is able to direct those affected towards treatment, counselling and therapy, however, it’s a support group only.
Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Associations (01749 34 33 44)
Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Associations offers counselling following an assessment costing £25 with a pro-recovery aim. SWEDA provides emotional support group meetings via Zoom and support calls over six sessions where you can discuss recovery, whether you are ready to recover, and learn more about how your eating disorder is affecting you.
4. Anxiety
VitaMinds (0333 200 1893)
VitaMinds works in partnership with the NHS to offer short-term therapy for those suffering from anxiety, excessive worry, overthinking and panic attacks following a telephone assessment. Workshops and groups are available in person and online, and don’t have to be accessed via your GP.
Email: enquiries@vhg.co.uk
Social Anxiety Bristol. A self-help group welcoming anyone who experiences social anxiety to talk about it in a safe space and receive support and advice from those who are like-minded. Meetings held in Totterdown.
Email: socialanxietybristol@gmail.com
7. Grief and bereavement
The Harbour (0117 925 9348)
The Harbour is a charity based in the city centre offering therapy for those who have suffered a loss, are facing life-threatening illness, or are impacted by a loved one facing life-threatening illness and discusses death, dying and bereavement.
Email: info@the-harbour.org.uk
Grief Encounter (0808 802 0111)
Grief Encounter offers a helpline and web chat service where you can seek emotional guidance related to grief, or if you would like to know how to support a person close to you. Their website also features guides to assist in navigating different situations relating to bereavement. In-person counselling is available in Totterdown.
Email: grieftalk@griefencounter.org.uk
8. LGBTQ+ networks
Intercom Trust (0900 612 3010)
Intercom Trust offers a listening support helpline which also signposts LGBT+ social groups across the South West, helps you navigate support in your area and can provide information surrounding LGBT+ rights.
Helpline email: helpline@intercomtrust.org.uk
Safe Space Support Groups offer closed support meetings on Zoom for members of the LGBTQIA+ community (including those questioning their identity) run by Changes Bristol. Open to those at any stage of their coming out journey. Discussion is not limited to LGBTQIA+ topics alone and experiences of trauma, discrimination and prejudice can be shared.
Know there is always a support system around you. Help us this Mental Health Awareness Week by sharing the message!
Published: 13.05.24 by Phoebe Clutton