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Help and support for mental and emotional health

Our support services

We all have mental health. Sometimes our mental health is good and at other times it is not so good. At times, you may feel stressed, low, anxious, or feel that life is not worth living, or you may have a diagnosis of a mental health condition.

Wellbeing Appointments

Our team of Wellbeing Assessors offer a welcome and friendly space where you will be able to talk about anything that is happening in your life.

Our support is designed to be short term and intended to guide you on your next steps. If you need longer term support we can help to signpost you to external health/wellbeing services and partnerships.

Colchester Campus

You can make an appointment here which will last for 30 minutes and either be in-person, by telephone or by Zoom. Our appointments are available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. If you have any difficulties booking an appointment, please email wellbeing@essex.ac.uk.

If an appointment is not available here and you feel that you need to speak to someone urgently, please come along to our Wellbeing Area on the 1st floor of the Silberrad Student Centre or email wellbeing@essex.ac.uk.

Loughton Campus

The wellbeing drop-in is open Monday-Friday, 1.10pm-2.10pm (with an evening drop-in from 6.10pm-7pm on Mondays and Thursdays) at the Student Services Hub on the ground floor of Hatfield House.

Southend Campus

Based at the Student Services Hub on the 2nd floor of The Forum, the drop-in at Southend is available in-person Monday-Wednesday & Friday from 11am-2pm. For support on other days and times of the week or to arrange a telephone or Zoom appointment, please email wellbeing@essex.ac.uk for support.

24-hour support

During evenings and at weekends you can contact the 24-hour Student Wellbeing Support Line (below). If you live in University accommodation, you can contact Security for out-of-hours advice and support. These support services are also available for you at any time you may need support for your wellbeing:

Student Wellbeing Support Line: Open 24 hours a day, including over weekends and bank holidays. The number is 0800 028 3766.
SilverCloud: an online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) resource offering a range of programmes on mental health, wellbeing, and long-term conditions
Togetherall is a safe, online peer-to-peer mental health community that empowers individuals to anonymously seek and provide support 24/7. To sign up, go to togetherall.com and use your student email address to register as a member of a university or college
Colchester Campus: Security (24 hours) – 01206 872125 or 872222 in an emergency
Southend Campus: University Square reception - 01702 328408 or 07920 821678
Samaritans
Student Minds

Emergencies

Find out who to contact in a medical or mental health emergency

Workshops, groups, events and support

Online mental health support

SilverCloud

If you're worried, feeling low or stressed, or finding it hard to sleep, you may want to explore our online mental health programme from SilverCloud.

Therapy for you

Therapy for you provides free online CBT-psychoeducational courses delivered by NHS therapists. Treatment is delivered through a series of video sessions that you can complete anywhere at anytime.

Togetherall

Togetherall is a safe, online peer-to-peer mental health community that empowers individuals to anonymously seek and provide support 24/7. To sign up, go to togetherall.com and use your student email address to register as a member of a university or college.

Counselling

Our University works in partnership with an organisation called Health Assured to offer short-term counselling to students. Requests for counselling can be made by completing this form.

Mentoring

A mentor can meet with you for regular appointments to offer:

help to manage your difficulties alongside your studies
practical and emotional support through listening and problem solving
assistance with independent learning and development of study skills
help with liaising with your department to make sure you have the support you need on your course
practical help in the library and help with organising your study space and study materials

Applying for mentoring

In order to apply for on-going mentoring, you will need to have received a diagnosis of a long-term mental health difficulty and apply for Disabled Students' Allowance as this can fund mentoring support for the duration of your studies. You will also need to provide evidence your diagnosis (ie. a doctor/GP letter when completing the form).

If you would like to discuss mentoring or require any help with the DSA application process, please contact us at include@essex.ac.uk.

Getting active

Being active is great for your physical health and fitness, and evidence has also shown it provides great benefits for your mental health too. Essex Sport offer a wide range of activities for you to try, and the NHS offer tips and advice on how being active can improve your mental health, as part of the 5 steps to mental wellbeing.

Disabled Students' Allowance for mental health conditions

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is government funding available to UK home students to help meet the extra costs you may face as a direct result of your disability, specific learning difficulty or long-term medical or mental health condition.

If you have a diagnosed long-term mental health condition you may be eligible for DSA. This can fund extra equipment such as a digital recorder, as well as one-to-one support from a specialist mentor or tutor. You would need to provide evidence of your mental health difficulties (ie. a letter from your doctor/GP confirming your diagnosis and current treatment).

Getting a medical diagnosis

If you require an official medical diagnosis of a mental health difficulty, you will need to make an appointment to see your doctor/GP who can discuss this with you and/or refer you to a specialist service if appropriate.

If you require a formal assessment and diagnosis of a Specific Learning Difference eg. Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) or Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), you can find out more on our Dyslexia and Specific Learning Differences web page.