University Mental Health Day 2024

The Editorial Team have come together for University Mental Health Day to share their top tips for students.

- Student Minds Blog Editorial Team

⭐ Creating time for yourself ⭐

by Taylor

In the hustle and bustle of university life (and just life in general) it's so easy to get lost or caught up in the stresses. Going back to the things you love doing and taking some time to be alone and value the simple things is so important. Sometimes, we just need to shut off the world and take a moment to figure out what we need and where we want to go next. It's all part of self-care!

⭐ Supporting a friend ⭐

by Madeleine 

Knowing how to support a friend with their mental health can be difficult - you want to say and do all the right things but you might not know where to start. Reassuring your friend that you will support them through bad times as well as good and being a listening ear can go a long way. Listen to them without judgement and encourage them to seek professional support if they need it. Remember to look after your own mental health when supporting a friend with theirs - you can't fill from an empty cup!

⭐ Finding your people ⭐

by Emily A

It can be tricky, when you're still trying to figure out who you are in this big wide world, to find people like you. Get involved and embrace new challenges in as many ways as you can to explore those around you and where you fit in, too. It doesn't always go right the first time so resilience is key! Everyone is learning and it's important to remember that finding your people isn't a fixed thing. I'm not friends with anyone I would have called my 'best friend' when I was at school - people change, and that's the way it should be. Finding your people might take time, but it's worth the wait.

⭐ Volunteering ⭐

by Emily T

Get involved! Join us! Faced with so many different options for extracurricular activities, I found myself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of opportunities when I first joined university. However, after spending almost three years at university, I believe that volunteering is definitely something every student should try to get involved in. There have been so many benefits to my mental health by volunteering. Supporting meaningful causes has allowed me to feel a sense of purpose and direction during my studies. Joining groups of like-minded volunteers has also reduced feelings of loneliness. I also feel more confident in different social situations! Just make sure not to take on too many responsibilities; it's important to prioritise time for yourself too.

How are you getting involved on University Mental Health Day? Share with the team - we'd love to hear from you!

Find out more about University Mental Health Day and how you can get involved.

Written by the Student Minds Blog Editorial Team.

Inside the cave - opening Up

Ali shares his experience of opening up to people about his feelings while at university.

- Ali

Despite being on a counselling training course, the idea of me “opening up” didn’t really come to mind when I applied, enrolled, and attended my degree. Perhaps naively it didn’t occur to me that I would have to “open up” as part of the mandatory hours of personal therapy I have to attend as part of the course…

“you’re such an emotionally mature person” 

“you’re so connected with your feelings”  

“I feel like I could tell you anything”

But, opening up can be scary. Being heard can be terrifying. And being seen, properly seen, by another person can be horrifying. 

The first time I felt seen was when a lecturer picked up on a twinge of anger in my voice as I talked about my first academic year not ending how I wanted it to. That small recognition of my feelings, my experience, and of me drained the blood from my face. I felt incredibly cold. 

As if the usual words of everyday life we use to fill the day had vanished and I had been spotted. It was cold…but also a relief. I hadn’t said what I was feeling but someone had heard/seen it. I suppose being heard or seen was my precursor or first step to opening up. Knowing someone had received a small part of me and what I had feeling at the time gave a little nudge to open up a little more.  

When my mental health needed attending to, beyond the requirements of my course, it took a while to open up in therapy. I remember my therapist nodding along to what I was saying and then slowly but suddenly leaned forward and said  “why are you here today? You’ve spoken, very eloquently, about “stuff” but what do you want?”  I was taken aback. A deer in the headlights! My clever disguise of words and conversation had been seen, accepted, and they wanted to know more- more about what I wanted, more about what I felt, and more about who & how I was. 

The “old cold” came back as I told them, just a little bit, about how I felt about my reasons for coming for counselling. I suppose the “old sensation” of being perceived and received doesn’t go away and may be part and parcel of opening up. Opening up can involve a treading lightly of who we are and how we feel to another person. All the good, all the bad, and all the everything even just a little. 

Every time I have “opened up” it has felt like opening up a protective stone layer, like a cave door, over my chest and letting a little bit of the warmth out. It has gotten easy to open the cave door to others and let them see what is inside. It still feels somewhat cold but a different cold, more refreshing or brisk than scary. 

Anyone reading this who feels anything resembling the cold sensation and fear of opening up I have described I would say … I get it. Opening up, about mental health, about life, about yourself, and how you feel takes a certain amount of bravery and risk. I would also say, when you feel ready, give it a try with someone you know and who you trust. Ask them to listen to you without judgement (or as little as they can muster) and without intention to fix (again as much as they may want to). Ask them to let you be seen and be heard. Ask them to be there as you are being brave. 

Whether you are looking for support for your own mental health at university or supporting a friend, help is available.

Hi, I'm Ali. I'm a student who wants to write more about the ups, downs, and side-to-sides of navigating mental health and University life.

Facing Difficulties

For University Mental Health Day, the Editorial Team have come together to share their experiences on how they've dealt with difficulties and advocated for themselves at university.

- Student Minds Editorial Team

⭐ Watch the University Mental Health Day video from our sub-editors, Emily A and Madeleine all about facing difficulties and advocating for yourself. ⭐

(You may have to confirm you're not a robot before watching. If you're having trouble viewing the video, you can click here to view it instead).

Find out how you can get involved on University Mental Health Day.

Written by the Student Minds Editorial Team.

Advocating for Yourself: University Mental Health Day

It's University Mental Health Day! The Editorial Team have come together to share their experiences on how they've dealt with difficulties and advocated for themselves at university.

- Student Minds Editorial Team

✨ Advocating for Yourself ✨

⭐ Emily T (Student): 

For most of my first year at university, I struggled with anxieties regarding my academic work whilst also feeling that I hadn’t really found “my people”. Durham felt a world away from what I had known for the past eighteen years of my life: a new place, new people and new academic pressures. As someone who finds it difficult to deal with change, moving to university was a big shock! 

However, towards the end of my first year, I started to find my confidence at university. Each time I wrote an essay, tackling the next felt much less stressful. I even started to enjoy the work that I was doing! Further to this, I decided to join the committee of my university brass band (the BEST decision ever). I have made so many friends in the band; it is amazing to be part of a community that loves music as much as I do! 

Even though it took some time, I feel like I’ve found my place in Durham! 

⭐ Sarah (Student): 

When I first started university, I was worried about a lot of things, like finding friends and getting 'good enough' marks on academic work. These worries were compounded by some personal struggles that I had, including bereavement and finding it hard to physically get to classes due to my chronic knee pain.

Although this was a difficult period for me in terms of my mental health, I learnt a lot about the importance of advocating for myself. I'm often the type of person who doesn't really want to attract attention, so sometimes I can let myself 'suffer in silence'. Reaching out to student services for support so soon after starting university showed me that it's really not as scary as I imagined to advocate for myself and ask for help when I need it. Since then, I feel more confident to reach out when I'm struggling at university, even for matters as simple as asking clarifying questions to my tutors.

⭐ Tayyibah (Student): 

Starting university back in 2020 seemed daunting with it being the pandemic and not having the chance to fully meet everyone however with support in place from staff this helped a lot with the transition. Once I was settled in I got to know a wide range of people and started to form connections with those I felt more comfortable with. This helped me grow in confidence as having supportive people who boosted me and said I was doing okay helped me stay grounded in the moment.

Throughout my degree, I have gained the confidence and courage to reach out and speak to others who are struggling as well as support myself and maintain boundaries. The best thing to come out of this was becoming a student representative for my degree as that has really helped me to flourish with confidence and it has given me the skills to work on later in life.

⭐ Joe (Graduate): 

When I first started university, I had only come out as gay to a couple of my friends and only told my dad the week before I went. I was feeling quite overwhelmed by the whole thing at the time and wasn’t comfortably ‘out’ so didn’t tell anyone at uni for a while. I definitely struggled with bottling this up and felt like I was lying about who I was to people and it played on my mind all the time. However, once I eventually started opening up to those who I felt I could trust I began to grow in confidence and started enjoying uni more – it was definitely a difficult journey but I got there in the end!

⭐ Alyssa (Student): 

Living with ADHD and autism at university can be very difficult. In my personal experience, university standards for communication and productivity are based on the assumption that a student is neurotypical and can work for hours with no distractions or hop on a quick Zoom call with no difficulty. 

But when you live with ADHD and autism, nothing could be further from the truth. Some days, my brain simply does not allow me to work as long or as hard as I feel like I should and it can be difficult to explain this so I can receive the appropriate support and accommodations. 

But living with these mental health struggles has taught me the importance of advocating for yourself at university. Sharing my experience by writing for Student Minds has helped me find my voice and grow confident in talking about my mental health so that people like my PhD supervisor can understand how neurodivergence impacts my life and my studies. 

Find out how you can get involved on University Mental Health Day.

Written by the Student Minds Editorial Team.

Let's Talk About It: Opening Up About Mental Health

In light of University Mental Health Day, Sam shares her tips for opening up about your mental health and discusses the importance of seeking help and building a support network.

- Samantha Buss

University Mental Health day is an important day that brings attention to the mental health challenges that students face while pursuing their academic and personal goals. It is an opportunity to highlight the importance of looking after our mental health and well-being every day, and to encourage individuals to open up about their struggles and seek help when needed. 

 As a neurodiverse student, I understand firsthand how mental health challenges can be unique and complex. Recently, I was told I'm autistic, which has allowed me to understand myself better and the difficulties I have faced. I have come to realise that what works for others may not work for me… and that's okay! Our challenges are unique to each individual and, although it takes time, it's worth spending quality time to find out what works for us best.  

While seeking professional help and support is a positive step towards better well-being,  it's also essential to build a support network and surround ourselves with helpful, empathetic people who can sustain these positive feelings: encouraging us and providing a safe space for sharing our experiences. 

It can be challenging to open up about our mental health struggles but open discussions are essential in understanding ourselves and allowing others to support us better.  

Recently, I had the opportunity to open up about my journey with anorexia at university as a part of my university's "Let's Talk Campaign" for Eating Disorders Awareness Week. It was a scary but rewarding experience. I had only shared my struggles with a limited number of people, and I never imagined that I would have the confidence to be so open! However, the positive feedback I received from friends and members of staff showed me that sharing my experiences was worth it and will help others.

The most important thing to remember is that we have to be kind to ourselves and regularly practise self-care. Self-care can look different for everyone and can include activities such as meditation, exercise, crafts, reading, or spending time with loved ones. For me, yoga and ice skating have become my sources of happiness and relaxation.  University Mental Health Day reminds us of the importance of prioritising our mental health and seeking help and support when needed. It is essential to open up about our struggles and surround ourselves with a supportive community that uplifts us. Let us use this day to take a step towards better mental health and well-being.

Whether you are looking for support for your own mental health at university or supporting a friend, help is available.

My name is Sam (she/her) and I'm an MSc student in Psychology (Conversion) with a UG in Modern Languages (French and Spanish). During my time at university, I struggled with my well-being, especially with my eating disorder. However, I found that open discussions have helped my well-being and empowered others to share their experiences. I hope that sharing my story will help others who are going through similar challenges.

University Mental Health Day 2022

Thursday 3rd March marks University Mental Health Day 2022. The Editorial Team have come together to share their thoughts and experiences on speaking out and seeking support as a student.

- Student Minds Blog Editorial Team

Chen-Chun (Student)

My university provides five free counselling sessions at the Student Services Centre for students who need help, and I have recently sought support from them. It was not an easy decision to make. I worried that I might be overreacting, so I hesitated while trying to seek support. The experience turned out to be really good and extremely helpful and I regretted not seeking support earlier.

 

Seeking support is okay and people working at universities are experienced, they will never judge you for asking for help and regard things that troubles you as insignificant.

Luke (Student)

The switch from living at home to university was exceptionally daunting, therefore the hardest part was reaching out. My university was quick in giving me an initial appointment where they facilitated open conversations where I felt safe to vocalise my initial anxieties. The appointments they provided were as frequent/infrequent as I wanted them to be. This really helped me not bottle things up which I began to.

They directed me towards an amazing NHS service which really helped me understand myself and my feelings. This experience really empowered me and enabled me to become a great talker and listener, and I feel I now have the tools to help others in similar situations.

Remember never to be afraid to ask for help!

Caoimhe (Graduate)

I personally didn't have to seek support while at university. As a student, I spent two years working with my university's mental health charity. As a mental health ambassador, I attended regular sessions and further training with Young Minds. 

I felt very grateful being in a position where people felt confident speaking with me expressing their struggles and worries. From these conversations, I would introduce these individuals to the support services on campus. It's rewarding helping people.

My university provided six free therapy sessions and raised awareness of mental health days throughout the year. 

If you are struggling, please seek support. You aren't alone!

Riley (Student)

I remember I needed help when I first came to London for my studies a few months ago, something really practical... for example, how to rent a flat, register a GP, even things like how to print at the school library. Sometimes I felt so ashamed to ask those kinds of questions because I thought those were so just stupid and small issues. 

Making good use of the university's service centre and joining the international students' community are the ways for seeking support.

It is okay to ask 'stupid' questions. I should forgive myself as a foreigner in a new place.

Sarah (Student)

Sometimes it can feel intimidating to reach out for support from student services. Although not a replacement for seeking professional help, peer support networks are a great way to talk to someone that understands the issues that students face. 

From my experience, peer support volunteers are all kind, empathetic, lovely people who are happy to listen to you and refer you to any relevant resources. 

No problem is too small, and this may just be the bridge you need to gain the confidence and encouragement to seek further help. Good luck!

Preksha (Student)

As an international student, I was far away from my comfort zone and initially culturally shocked - the systems, norms and even slang were all so different. I also experienced ‘imposter syndrome’ during my first term at Cambridge, constantly feeling like I did not deserve to be here. These situational challenges, when compounded, led to me being diagnosed with depression in the first few months of university. I struggled to create and maintain a healthy (and completely new) lifestyle of independence and productivity. My friends would encourage me when I didn’t have the energy to get out of bed or make myself a meal on most days. I was extremely fortunate to have found support professionally and in my friends. Despite initial hesitance, my friends and family encouraged me to reach out to the university's mental health services. This helped reassure me of the potential to recover, and guided me towards the light at the end of the tunnel. Many people are struggling like you, so don’t be afraid to reach out and get the help you need!

Fionnuala (Graduate)

 

My university offered many supports for students experiencing mental health problems. There was a free counselling service that offered students sessions with trained therapists. I used this service and found it very helpful.

If things were particularly tough and unmanageable around exam time there were policies in place allowing students to apply for extenuating circumstances which could postpone the examinations or allow a student to re-sit exams without penalty if they did not get a passing grade. There were disability support services for students that helped them to arrange accommodations to enable them to complete their education while managing mental health issues. 

Taylor (Student)

The stresses of university, exams and all the deadlines put pressure on everyone's mental health so rest assured that you're not alone there. You're equally not alone in wanting to seek support if that's what you feel is best for you. 

Speak out and get the support you need! It's much better to talk about the situation you find yourself in rather than suffer in silence.

And if you're not struggling with your mental health, then be there for your friends and loved ones. Let them lean on you for support and make sure they know that you're there for them.

Find out how you can make a difference on University Mental Health Day.

Written in collaboration by the Editorial Team. Find out more about them here.

Coping With Mental Health Struggles At University: Accepting Help

Namwila shares her experience of coping with mental health struggles at university whilst studying law and her tips for opening up and accepting help. 

- Namwila

The prospect of university can be daunting for anyone. However, throw mental health into the mix, and everything changes entirely. As someone who has dealt with mental health issues for a while (and I mean...a while), I had felt the need to hide my experiences or keep everything to myself because (or so I thought) no one cared. BUT one of the main things that helped me was understanding that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. 

But what if I don't feel comfortable talking to anyone? 

This is something I worried about too (for a long time), and it definitely affected my perception of my mental health - which at the time was quite negative. Personally, I didn't want to open up because I felt like I would be judged, or a burden, or that what I said would seem so ridiculous that I'd be ridiculed (I mean, how do I explain feeling the need to miss a lecture the moment I'm even 1 minute late because the thought of being late gave me panic attacks?). It was these things that were a challenge for me, but the very same things pushed me to open up.

As soon as I realised that a) I needed help and b) it was okay to ask for help, a weight was lifted off my shoulders because...I didn't have to hide anymore. I didn't have to pretend to be okay, and that was okay. If you find yourself feeling burdensome, know that a lot of the time, it really isn't the case, and it is our head fuelling all these panicked thoughts or emotions, giving rise to these assumptions. For me, it wasn't until I decided to open up that I realised: I'm not a burden. These people train all their life to do just that - help those who need help. And in understanding that your mind simply doesn't work the same way (thank you 'Mind Explained' for that) you can learn to cut yourself some slack and understand how you can work with your mind rather than against it. DISCLAIMER: I know, trust me I know, it is all easier said than done. But everything is a milestone, and even the smallest steps (talking to a friend, a tutor, or a member of student wellbeing) is a big step towards control and owning your identity. 

What if my University doesn't offer mental health support? 

Sadly, we live in an era where mental health is not yet valued in the same way as physical health. And though things are slowly shifting, there is a lot to be done on improving student mental health at a time where everything is so competitive. The best advice I can offer in this case is:

1. Contacting your GP: In doing so, not only do you receive professional care (assuming your GP is helpful), but you get offered services that you would not get otherwise (e.g. therapy, counselling etc.)

2. Selfcare-selfcare-selfcare: I say this all the time, but there's not much else to it other than valuing yourself enough to understand when your mind and your body needs help. Remember - putting yourself first is not selfish. It is you recognising your mental health is important, more so than many other things. I talked about this in a recent video, but selfcare is one of the first steps to helping yourself, since it aids you in understanding what works for you. 

3. Helplines: In the same way that one may get help at university, there are many helplines out there that offer support to those struggling with mental health. Many are 24 hours (and even offer text services for those out there who might not want to pick up the phone #ifeelyou). 

In this short post, I hope I offered some advice and guidance that can help anyone out there struggling with mental health at university. And remember - you come first. 

For more information on finding support at University, please visit the Student Minds page on 'Support for Me'. 

Hi! My name is Namwila, and I am a third-year law student at university. After having dealt with mental illness for a while and never really opening up about it, I really wanted to share my experience in case anyone out there feels alone. I also post some videos about this on my YouTube. 

University and First Year Struggles

Meg talks about the struggles that students can face and how to look positively to the future. 

The year was 2011. The season was summer and, boy, was I loving life. A young, fresh-faced 18 year old who had passed their exams and bagged a spot into uni. I’d ticked off a summer holiday with the girls, my 18th birthday and school prom. What a time to be alive! Little did I know how my life would change in the coming months.

Hey, the name’s Meg. Nice to meet you! I’m 25 from South Wales and here’s my story of how my first year of university changed my life.

My amazing summer had come to an end and soon enough I would be moving far away from the South Wales valleys. 3.5hrs on the train to Derby was my new home and as most budding students feel when they leave home, I felt a mix of excitement and fear. I’d been chatting to my future flat mates on a Facebook group and we were all so excited to meet each other! I remember my first day like it was yesterday. I was so nervous. We hugged our families goodbye and there we were, a bunch of awkward girls from different parts of the country about to live together for the next year. Next thing, we are socialising with a building full of people and alcohol was flowing. And here started the student life!

The student life can be a very overwhelming experience for some with so much change happening at a quick pace and that’s certainly how it felt for me. My social life was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I was partying every week, sometimes every other night and all food and sleep patterns went flying out the window! It was exciting to meet lots of new people but also having to navigate around an unknown city and start a new course was very daunting. For a good few months I was building what I saw at the time as solid bonds with flat mates and constantly socialising but it wasn’t until a few months in did I realise how much it was all catching up to me.

After such a whirlwind couple of weeks, things started to go downhill very rapidly for me which felt like it came out of nowhere. All of a sudden, my emotions became very apparent and feelings of anger and upset constantly ripped through me (mainly whenever alcohol was involved). I was really disliking my uni course and I think I was probably very homesick and didn’t even know it. Nights out started to become very messy and dark and I soon found myself spiralling into a depression and started to self harm. I’d never known anything like this in my world. I’d always been the happy go lucky, positive bunny throughout my life and all of a sudden things were feeling very different. My feelings were constantly masked with partying and socialising and trying to nose dive deep into other people’s problems whilst I was also battling a tormenting habit myself. I was very much in denial and it took a very tragic moment of a thankfully- failed - attempted suicide whilst very intoxicated to snap me out of it.

Looking back now, it all feels like such a blur and I am thankfully not in that frame of mind anymore. It’s been a very long and continuing journey of recovery since those dark days but I am happy to be progressing and feeling stronger and happier. Although times were tough, I managed to push through it and I actually took the right steps to make things better for me by transferring to a university in my hometown and got to complete my degree, eventually earning a 2:1 and winning a student of the year award for my course. Woo go me!

And that’s really what this story is about is to just say, it’s okay and it can get better even at the lowest of points. I never thought I could get through what happened but here I am 7/8 years later, a homeowner and a fully fledged adult!!

First year can be fantastic and exciting and I certainly did have positives during some parts and lots of fun but it is also an overwhelming time and a lot to take on. I think it’s just important to keep an open mind in that good and bad days can happen whilst you’re embarking on your uni journey and if it’s truly not for you then that’s fine but sometimes with a little faith and willpower, you’d be amazed at what you can go on to achieve!

My name is Meg. I am 25 and live in the beautiful Cardiff Bay. I work in events/venue management for a University and am a part time secret singer and music lover. Concerts and musical theatre are my thing and I also enjoy blogging about my life and mental health advocacy. You can check out more of my music stuff on my youtube (www.youtube.com/mwigleysongs) or my blog at https://meganwigley.wordpress.com/.

For more information or support visit: Starting Uni 

Overcoming the stigmas associated with invisible disabilities

Niraj writes about the importance of recognising all disabilities. 

Many people could assume when hearing the word disability is that it refers to someone on a wheelchair, or someone that is blind. However, something that isn’t often talked about enough is invisible disabilities. “Invisible disabilities” is an umbrella term that is used to describe a wide range of disabilities that aren’t immediately visible. They are the same as any other disability in that it creates difficulties for the person that has it. However, as they aren’t visibly apparent, it can be hard for others to understand the difficulties that someone with an invisible disability can face. This article discusses invisible disabilities in more detail, the impact it has on the people that have them, and the stigma that is associated with this type of disability.

Many invisible disabilities affect people on a daily basis. For example, chronic fatigue syndrome causes persistent tiredness and fatigue, and generalized anxiety disorder can mean that a person finds it hard to concentrate in even the most basic of tasks. Other invisible disabilities include sleeping disorders and epilepsy. It is clear that all of these provide several challenges to the person that has them, however these challenges sometimes aren’t seen by other people. For example, someone with generalized anxiety disorder may find it hard to go to sleep and have constant headaches on a daily basis but they may appear completely fine whenever you see them. It is worth noting that although people with invisible disabilities struggle differently to those with physical disabilities, these struggles can still take a toll on their mental health and psychological wellbeing.

Unfortunately, a lot of stigma is associated with invisible disabilities. Why is this? One reason, and arguably the reason that we need to be aware about is the non-visible nature of these disabilities. Living with an invisible disability means that you can appear fine on the outside, so people make the misguided assumption that if the disability cannot be seen, then it shouldn’t be taken seriously. This is why some people don’t tell others about their invisible disability due to fear that their disability may be seen as invalid and that they are just faking everything. Furthermore, what complicates things further is that some invisible disabilities can vary in severity. A good example would be someone with a mental health condition. Someone with a mental health condition can have weeks where things go perfectly fine, as well as weeks where every day is a struggle, and other people can struggle to understand why every day is so different.  Unfortunately, discrimination against people with an invisible disability can sometimes happen in the workplace. Employers are usually comfortable with accommodating employees with visible disabilities as these are disabilities that can be seen, however the same is not always true for employees with invisible disabilities.

We need to ask the question, how can we raise awareness and be more understanding of invisible disabilities in particular? First of all, it is crucial to realise that it is quite common and that it spans a wide range of symptoms. As some people with invisible disabilities don’t open up about their disability, it is easy to think that invisible disabilities are rare, whereas that is not the case. However, the thing in which I think is the most important to understand is that invisible disabilities are disabilities in their own right and should be treated as such. Invisible disabilities shouldn’t be seen differently to visible disabilities just because one can be seen and one can’t, as either way, it causes difficulties to the person that has it. If an employer or a university department can make reasonable adjustments for people with visible disabilities, then they should definitely be able to do the same for people with invisible disabilities.

If you are someone that currently has an invisible disability of any sort then it is not something to be ashamed about and it certainly does not make you any less of a person. It cannot be underestimated that students with invisible disabilities have gained valuable skills such as adaptability and resilience by being able to not give up despite the limitations that they may face, and that is something that is highly commendable.

Despite the stigma that may come with invisible disabilities, there are still several methods of support that are available to university students for a wide range of invisible disabilities, and getting in contact with the Disability Services department at your university can potentially be very useful. Moreover, being able to share and open up about your experiences with an invisible disability can go a long way in educating others and overcoming the stereotype that currently exists in society. It is paramount that we move beyond the stigma that currently exists, and not make judgements about someone purely from what you see on the outside.

Hi, I'm Niraj! I am a third year student from the University of Warwick studying Maths, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics. Having suffered from anxiety issues whilst at university, I know about the various mental health issues that university students face, and how tough it can be. I therefore want to raise awareness on different aspects of mental health and well being, and help as many people as I can by sharing my own experiences.

For more support visit here.

The Impact of Community: University Mental Health Day

For University Mental Health Day, Katie shares the importance of community to help tackle mental health while at university.

- Katie

How do you give back to your community?

I do a lot of volunteering, campaigning, and fundraising, both inside and outside of university. Back in 2016 I signed up to skydive for mental health charity, Mind, which was such an amazing experience but I definitely prefer terra firma! Currently I am a Student Minds Press Ambassador and within my students’ union I have been President of our Mental Health Awareness and Support society (MHAS), and currently Disabled Students’ Part-Time Officer.

Who do you speak to for your mental health?

I have used a variety of services, both in and outside university. My first point of call is usually my close friends, but I am getting more comfortable with talking to my parents. I make regular use of my university counselling service, as it can be very helpful to talk through how I am feeling – especially with a familiar staff member who knows my story. They can also help me see things from a different perspective, such as how resilient and strong I am. I also have an accessibility tutor, trained to help students with mental health difficulties, who assists me with planning my time and organisation. This helps me establish routines, especially for revision or assignments. Recently, I started my own YouTube Channel which I use to talk about my mental health story among other things.

What do you do for your mental health?

One of my favourite outlets is writing. I both blog online on my wordpress site and write creatively - stories and poems. I’m also pretty much never seen without my iPod earphones in my ears! Music can be soothing when I’m feeling down, or can provide an outlet such as going to music gigs where I can sing and dance. Being an advocate and talking openly about my experiences also helps, because I am helping others and creating an environment where we don’t feel alone in our struggles.

Where do you feel part of a community?

I feel part of a community where I am able to thrive, around people who have my back no matter what. This includes being around friends, my family, within my church, and university staff. These people have my best interests at heart and always try and support me in any way they can within their remit. I also use a lot of online spaces where I talk to other fans of TV shows I enjoy as well as fellow writers. They are supportive communities where I feel safe and able to be myself, and this is really important.


Take action and be part of a growing movement to transform the state of student mental health. Join a Student Minds group on your campus or set up a group today. 

Hi, I’m Katie, a geology student at the University of Leicester and Student Minds Press Ambassador. I was diagnosed with mixed anxiety & depressive disorder in 2015 and have since become a confident advocate, speaking out and writing about my experiences. 

Finding a community of support at university

For University mental health day, Emma shares her experiences of building supportive networks and the importance of communities for dealing with your mental health at university.

- Emma

No matter your situation, community plays a massive role in mental wellbeing. Loneliness and isolation often worsen anxiety and depression, and having a social circle or someone you can talk to is important. This is heightened during University for many people, leaving their comfort zone and entering adulthood and independence. 

I’m a student at the University of Winchester, five hours away from the little Wirral peninsula where I grew up and the people I’ve spent my whole life with. As someone with generalised anxiety disorder, it was my mission to build up a community and support network straight away, to ensure I’d be able to manage. On my first day, I spoke to the student mental health team and they helped me go to my first class. At Winchester, we have learning agreements for students who need extra support for any disability or illness. So, during my second week, I spoke to Disability Support and we wrote a list of my needs, such as: leaving the room at any time, rest breaks in exams, separate exam rooms, and all my lecturers being aware of my anxiety. 

I have also taken the time to speak to every one of my lecturers and explained my anxiety in more detail so that they don’t think I’m rude or not interested in their subject. Just today, I missed my radio production lecture due to an anxiety attack, so I spoke to my lecturer and he was understanding and supportive. It’s really important to let people know what’s going on and seek any help you may need. I know it sometimes feels like a weakness or failure but to achieve the best experience and best grades, your mental health has to be a priority. 

I try to help other students at university too, since we are all in the same situation and sometimes knowing that someone understands can lessen the burden. I have an upcoming radio project and I’ve decided to base mine on mental health support at university. I plan to interview students who suffer from different mental health difficulties, as well as representatives from support teams. I hope that this will help people who are afraid to speak up to know that there’s a huge community of people who understand. I’m very open about my struggles, usually making jokes about my anxiety to let people know what’s going on in a light-hearted way. For example, if I know that going to a lecture is out of the question, I’ll say to my friends, ‘don’t think I’ll make it this morning, classic anxious me.’ This way of being open might not suit everyone but it helps me keep people in the loop without feeling like I’m complaining or being negative. It has helped friends speak to me about their own problems, because I think it makes me more approachable, and I’ve created a strong social circle that is open and understanding. 

As well as the support I have in place at university, I’ve also made a habit of using positive coping techniques when I’m in my flat too. I make sure the flat is always (reasonably) clean and tidy, I write down the issues I’m having and their solutions, I practice mindfulness, and I make lists of all the assignments that I need to work on. My course has a group chat on Facebook too so we all help each other stay on top of the work and help each other out when there’s room changes or upcoming deadlines. 

I feel very much part of a community at University and I feel confident that my mental illness will not hinder my experience or my final grades, and it’s important that you put support in place to feel the same too.

Take action and be part of a growing movement to transform the state of student mental health. Join a Student Minds group on your campus or set up a group today. 

I’m Emma and I’m studying Journalism at the University of Winchester. I’ve suffered with anxiety and anorexia for a long time so thought I’d share my own experiences to hopefully help others on the same journey to recovery.

Building mental health communities at university

As part of University Mental Health Day, Julia discusses the importance of building communities for students to talk about shared experiences of mental health in university.

- Julia

Coming to university having quietly struggled with mental health, I was keen to be involved in extracurricular activities and to build myself circles of friends. It has always been a coping mechanism if mine to find friends with common interests and surround myself with them. From choirs and music ensembles to other student journalists, engaging in shared interests has always been so important to me for my mental wellbeing.

During my first year, I was encouraged to seek out further help and relatively quickly, having struggled quite substantially, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It was then that, as well as my friends and extracurricular communities, I started to engage with mental health communities in my university. Or rather, I started some communities myself. Joining the Students’ Disability Community and becoming actively involved and engaged in that, I was quickly elected to Mental Health Officer. I became aware that lots of students did not want to become involved in physical support groups because that was an intimidating step, so I created online support groups for Oxford Students on Facebook. These were all secret but could allow students to discuss struggles and shared experiences with services in the city. There are now six support groups for different mental health conditions, supporting over 500 students, and some groups have met in person now. Even though advertising these groups among the university community, it enriches the community in the normalization of mental health difficulties.

It can be easy to feel isolated at university when you have a mental health difficulty, and speaking to other students who also share experiences of mental health difficulties can make you feel less alone. Meeting with the bipolar support group for the first time, the other students and I shared our experiences – laughed at similar situations we’ve been in, and empathized with the bad experiences. It was so reassuring to be part of a community who understood what I’d been through.

Even now that I am stable and don’t feel that I need much support on a day to day basis, I still like to engage with other students who have struggled or are struggling with mental health difficulties. When you are part of universities communities, whether a sports team, a musical group, or a college at your university, talking frankly and sharing experiences make mental health normal for the whole community. Students I don’t know personally have approached me because my openness means that they feel comfortable talking, often for the first time, about concerns or struggles that they have had. To me, this exemplifies why community is so important for mental health and why it is the perfect theme for University Mental Health Day. Both on a personal level of support from the communities we surround ourselves with, and also seeing the change that happens to communities as we talk, without shame, about mental health.

Take action and be part of a growing movement to transform the state of student mental health. Join a Student Minds group on your campus or set up a group today. 

I'm Julia, and I'm currently studying music at the University of Oxford. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder during my first year and, since then, have dedicated my time to talking about mental health. As well as writing for the blog, I am one of the sub-editors and have been involved with Student Minds as a press ambassador, a peer support facilitator, and on their Student Voices Forum and Student Policy Panel. I'm also the Oxford editor for Blueprint, a student mental health magazine, and the mental health officer the Oxford SU disability campaign. I feel strongly about discussing aspects of mental health, such as hypomania or mania that accompanies my bipolar disorder, to reduce the taboo.

University Mental Health Day: Community

For University Mental Health Day, Emily shares her views on the importance of community within her university to help deal with mental health.

- Emily Maybanks

How could I give back to my community? 

I believe that I can do this through expressing my gratitude and appreciation on a blog for the continued support from my community. Using a blog is both accessible in today’s technology-focused society, but it is also a thoughtful and creative way to express my thoughts. I think that feeling as though you are a part of a community, whether a university or in a working environment, is important for mental health because you feel included and involved.

Who do you speak to for your mental health?

For my mental health, I speak to a wide range of people: professionals, such as doctors and counselors, my close friends, and people I work with. I think it is vital to have a varied but reliable support network for mental health. However, I also think it is important to be self-reliant when it comes to mental health and to know what to do to help yourself when you’re feeling down and struggling - whether that is to take a break for a while or do something on your own.

What do you do for your mental health?

One thing that especially helps my mental health is writing. I love to write, and it is my way to express myself and how I am feeling. Sharing my mental health story through writing has also helped me with my mental health.

Where do you feel part of a community?

I feel part of a community within the editing and writing crowd at my university, working for Swansea University students’ newspaper: the Waterfront. It is an amazing thing to be involved with and it is nice to feel supported and appreciated.


Take action and be part of a growing movement to transform the state of student mental health. Join a Student Minds group on your campus or set up a group today. 

My name is Emily (Em). I am currently in my final year studying Modern Languages, Translation & Interpreting at Swansea University, where I'm also the Creative Writing Section Editor and Deputy Editor for The Waterfront - Swansea's student newspaper. I wanted to write for Student Minds because I have experienced depression and anxiety as well as other health issues, and I support friends who have also experienced mental health difficulties. I am also a passionate writer and writing has been important in my mental health experiences - both in helping me to cope with my mental health, as well as sharing my story in order to help others.

What is community?

Leah shares the importance of community and how this has helped support her with her mental health through university.

- Leah Barfield

"The condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interest in common"

When it comes to your mental health, it’s important to surround yourself within a community where there isn’t judgement or stigma. A group that is supportive and helps you through the hardest times.

When I first moved to University, it took a long time for me to adapt to the new lifestyle and the ‘Student Life’. I find myself to be quite anti-social and avoid situations like large parties or nights out. I fear that when I am out with people I will get left or something bad will happen to me. Living in a new area, thats so far from a place which has so much familiarity to me is hard to adjust to.  Being nearly 200miles away from home.

I would get days when I wouldn’t leave my flat because I thought that if I was to try and get somewhere in the area, I would panic or get lost; if I did then I would be a fool or failure. I found different groups of people who I would acquaintance myself with, however I never felt confident enough to stay with those people.  I managed to figure out and discover who it was who accepted me once I started to mingle with more people.

This is where I was able to reach out.

Since being at University for over half of the first year, I’ve managed to mould myself out of this shell of extreme low self esteem and confidence, into a group where I feel supported and I can trust them with how I’m feeling. I no longer feel alone and I have more confidence in getting through my time at university knowing that I’m not going be alone.

I may still have days where I find it hard to go to lectures due to my depression and anxiety but I know that the support team at my university, my lecturers/tutor and my peers and friendship groups will accept me and be there for me when things get a bit overwhelming or when I need some guidance.

Finally feeling a part of a community within University has finally made me feel so much better about being here and studying what I love.

Take action and be part of a growing movement to transform the state of student mental health. Join a Student Minds group on your campus or set up a group today. 

Hi I'm Leah, I study Documentary Photography at the University of South Wales. The importance of talking about mental health and starting the discussion is key to my ambition. 

Being Active Doesn’t Mean Sweating

Leanne rights about being active for her mental health and ways in which you could become active for your mental health.

- Leanne Hall

Keeping active is scientifically proven to make you feel happier, it releases endorphins, a chemical known to reduce stress. It’s important for everybody to stay active, but it can be especially beneficial if you suffer from mental health problems.

If you aren’t into cardio or weight training then you might prefer something a bit gentler, like yoga. It takes your mind off of everyday stresses as you focus on the positions, it relieves tense muscles and it gives you a work out. You can do it in the comfort of your own home if you don’t feel like seeing anyone that day or you can bring it outside and relax with nature.

Being active is often thought as having to go to the gym, something that can be exceptionally daunting if you suffer with mental health problems. But it doesn’t have to be like that. Being active can be anything, from dancing to your favourite heartbreak song in your room, to going for a long walk outside.

People at university don’t often have the money for a gym membership, but a yoga mat will only set you back £10, and if you’re doing it in your bedroom, heck, you don’t even have to buy workout clothes.

For me, yoga is an important part in helping me manage my anxiety, I try to do 50 minutes, three times a week. It gives me the chance to focus on myself, my breathing and my body.


Something that rarely happens living in London. One of my favourite Youtuber’s who teaches yoga is https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene there are different videos depending on your experience, and depending if you want to relax or go more hardcore. It’s a great way to reflect on the day past, without interfering thoughts popping into your head.

So, if you’re as lazy as I am, but you feel like you could benefit from moving your body a little bit, give yoga a go. Let me know in the comments how you keep active for your mental health, what works for you?

Find out more about University Mental Health Day 2017, watch or read more on our Active Mental Health stories page!

Without sport, I wouldn't be here

Yasmin is a staff member at Imperial College London, where she leads on areas relating to sport and mental health as well as running Student Minds’ Mental Health In Sport Workshops. She studied at Sheffield University where she raised awareness of mental health through charity fundraising.

- Yasmin, Imperial College London

It’s vital to talk about mental health.1 in 4 people are affected by mental health issues - of course it is something to address. Mental health issues aren’t always visible, but that level of prevalence needs to be addressed, for treatment, overcoming stigma, and resolution. If we don’t know we can’t help.

From a personal experience, mental health is close to my heart. I know people who have mental health issues and I understand what it takes for them to get through the things others take for granted – such as even getting out of bed. Everything becomes so much more of a challenge. We should talk about it so everyone understands, supports and removes the embarrassment associated with having a mental health condition. Turning mental health from an issue to an element of wellbeing is key to overcoming the stigmas but if we don’t talk, we won’t know and we can’t help.

"Quite simply without sport, I wouldn't be working where I work"

Mental health at Imperial

I recently took on a new role combining student sport and student support within Sport Imperial. I will be delivering the Student Minds Mental Health training to all incoming Sports Committee members, creating an online chat forum with the students, and working with the University ‘Mentality’ Society about new ideas. Furthermore, we will look at the Stress-Buster activities around exam times and promote and develop these further as well as providing regular drop-in sessions for students who have concerns or questions about mental health.

My main focus will be on promoting mental health in a positive light by addressing it as wellbeing incorporating sport as one of the key developments and encouraging students to engage in activity.


University Sport and Student Wellbeing
University sport is highly beneficial to students’ wellbeing for many reasons: tackling home sickness, engaging in new opportunities to challenge the brain, stress relief, and dealing with depression. Sport and exercise can change people’s lives. Being a student is a key time to pick up on potentially stressful situations that can cause declines in mental wellbeing, and turn them into opportunities for personal development and an increase in student wellbeing.

Engaging in sporting opportunities can get students out of their rooms, into social environments, and help them make friends – students often worry about fitting in when they move to university, and such activities will overcome this barrier. Engagement and participation will leave students with a sense of achievement. The adrenaline rush and the ‘feel good factor’ that is associated to sport is a positive and uplifting experience.

Furthermore, sport has positive associations for feeling good, being active and leading a healthy lifestyle, whereas mental health carries a ‘stigma’ because it is a sensitive subject. Marrying up a stigmatised topic with one of positivity can really help to break the ‘stigma’ down and help us understand mental health and wellbeing in a positive light - where sport is encouraged as a therapy for depression and general stress that are common in academic institutions.

Yasmin's story is one of a series of Active Mental Health stories, collected by Student Minds for University Mental Health Day 2017. To find watch or read more, visit our Active Mental Health stories page!