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How to cope with student life

Explains how you can look after your mental health as a student, giving practical suggestions for what you can do and where you can go for support.

Useful contacts 

Mind's services

  • Mind's helplines provide information and support by phone and email.
  • Local Minds offer face-to-face services across England and Wales. These services include talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.
  • Side by Side is our supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Alcohol & drugs

FRANK

0300 123 6600
talktofrank.com
Confidential advice and information about drugs, their effects and the law.

Charities

Carers UK

0808 808 7777
029 2081 1370 (Carers Wales)
[email protected]
carersuk.org
Advice and support for anyone who provides care.

Do-it

do-it.org
Lists UK volunteering opportunities.

Nightline Association

nightline.ac.uk
Lists contact information for helplines and listening services in universities and colleges across the UK.

Papyrus HOPELINEUK

0800 068 41 41
07860 039967 (text)
[email protected]
papyrus-uk.org
Confidential support for under-35s at risk of suicide and others who are concerned about them. Open daily from 9am–midnight.

Samaritans

116 123 (freephone)
[email protected]
Chris, Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK
PO Box 90 90
Stirling FK8 2SA
samaritans.org

Samaritans are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. You can visit some Samaritans branches in person. Samaritans also have a Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).

Student Minds

studentminds.org.uk
Mental health charity that supports students.

Students Against Depression

studentsagainstdepression.org
Information and support for students experiencing suicidal feelings, including a helpful safety plan template.

University Mental Health Advisors Network (UMHAN)

umhan.com
Network for mental health advisors working in education.

YoungMinds

0808 802 5544 (Parents Helpline)
85258 (Crisis Messenger for young people – text the letters YM)
youngminds.org.uk
Committed to improving the mental health of babies, children and young people, including support for parents and carers.

Finance

Money Advice Service

0800 138 7777
moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Provides free and impartial money advice.

The Money Charity

themoneycharity.org.uk
Information and advice about managing your money, including resources and workshops for young people and students.

YourDSA

yourdsa.com
Aims to promote and simplify the process of applying for Disabled Students' Allowances.

Health services

NHS Choices – Student Health

nhs.uk/Livewell/studenthealth
Advice on student health issues.

NHS Service Finder

nhs.uk/service-search
Searchable database of NHS services in England.

Student advice

Citizens Advice

0800 144 8848 (England Adviceline)
0800 702 2020 (Wales Adviceline)
0800 144 8884 (Relay UK, textphone)
citizensadvice.org.uk
Free, confidential information and advice on your rights, including money, housing, legal and other problems.

National Careers Service

nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
Information, advice and guidance about learning, training and work.

National Union of Students

nus.org.uk
Promotes and defends the rights of students.

Not Going To Uni

notgoingtouni.co.uk
Information and advice about alternatives to university.

Office for Students

officeforstudents.org.uk
Information and guidance for students from the independent regulator of higher education in England.

Open University

Offers flexible, part-time study and distance learning, including some free online courses.

Save the Graduate

savethegraduate.org
Information and advice about graduating from university.

The Student Room

thestudentroom.co.uk
Information for students and the UK's largest online student community.

UCAS

ucas.com
Processes applications for higher education courses in the UK.

UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)

ukcisa.org.uk
Advice and guidance for international students and the institutions, students' unions and organisations who work closely with them.

Support for care leavers

Propel

propel.org.uk
Support for children in care and young care leavers.

Rees Foundation

reesfoundation.org
Support for care leavers, including regional peer networks.

This information was published in September 2018. We will revise it in 2021.

References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.

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