Thursday 10th October marks this year’s World Mental Health Day, aiming to promote an
awareness of mental health issues and to remove the stigma surrounding them. This year’s focus
in is on suicide and suicide prevention, with this issue especially being pressing among young
people and students.
University can be overwhelming.
The academic pressure to succeed and the fear of failure, difficulties with friendships/relationships
and loneliness are just some of the issues brought with student life.
In particular, if you have just started your first year of university, this huge change in your life can
take a toll on your wellbeing, and I know from experience that the feelings of loneliness it brings
can be tough. In my first year, I often felt like I was the only one not having a good time 24/7, but it
is so often promised that university is meant to be ‘the best years of your life’ – putting a lot of
pressure on us.
Feeling low at university is therefore not uncommon; many students go through periods of
sadness and worry, but if this is affecting your day to day life and the feelings become strong, it is
important to find support.
What you need to know is that you are not alone.
Below are some services and helplines in Leeds to consult if you’re feeling down or experiencing
difficulties in your mental wellbeing. Although seeking help may seem daunting, nobody should
have to suffer in silence.
Services and helplines:
Leeds nightline: A student-led listening and information service for students in Leeds. “Our service
is confidential, anonymous, non-directive, non-advisory and non-judgemental.” The number for
their listening service is 01133801285.
Visit https://leeds.nightline.ac.uk/ for more info.
University of Leeds Student Counselling and Wellbeing service: A multi-professional team
offering a range of services to support students during their time at the university.
It also runs a daily drop-in service to be seen by a professional more quickly, running Monday to
Friday from 1pm-4pm in the Union building on the ground floor in the Student Advice office.
Visit https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/100001/counselling/957/counselling_ser…
Big White Wall: An online mental health and wellbeing community; accessible at any time.
University of Leeds students have free access. Take a look here:
https://www.bigwhitewall.com/V2/LandingV2.aspx
The Mind Matters Society: A LUU society that offers support services and a weekly peer
group/drop-in session. The support group has an aim of creating a space where it is possible to
“discuss personal experiences of mental health in an empathetic and non-judgemental
environment, with people who can relate in a meaningful way in a system of support separate
from any formal mental health service”. Visit their website here:
https://luumindmatterssociety.wordpress.com/
LUU Advice: Just pop into the Union building if you would like to speak to someone about your
wellbeing. Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Or you can ring them on 01133801420