Mental Health

Mental health issues can be triggered at any point during your life, and are more likely to occur in a high pressure environment such as Cambridge. If you think you might be suffering from a mental health problem, it is crucial for you to acknowledge it and to get the help and support you need. There is a lot of support available in Cambridge that your support team and welfare team can guide you to.

Support team

Your support team is there to help you, especially your tutor, the chaplain and the college nurse. If go to them with mental health concerns, they will be able to give you advice and guide you in the right directions.

Welfare officers

If you would rather talk to a student, the welfare officers are always available and are trained by CUSU so will always be able to help you and guide you. Remember that welfare officers are volunteers, and that they always have your best interest at heart. If you prefer you can also contact them anonymously.

GP

GPs can offer advice and direct you to further treatment or services that can be beneficial to your well-being. As they are trained specialists, you know you’re getting the best advice and support.

To book an appointment with your GP:
Lensfield Medical Practice – 01223 651020

UCS – University counselling service

The University Counselling Service is a very popular service that offers free, confidential support to any student who requests it. Note however that the waiting lists can stretch to several weeks, especially around exam term.

You can either refer yourself, or contact either of the welfare officers, the college nurse or your tutor for more information.

If you would rather, the UCS also offer group counselling sessions, which usually don’t have as long a waiting list, and provide many self-help leaflets.

Self Help

  • Mind – this is an incredible website that is full of information covering all aspects of mental health
  • UCS leaflets – University counselling service offers a wide range of informative self help leaflets
  • Mood Juice ­– interactive website full of information
  • Other leaflets about stress, anxiety & panic, and sleeping problems.

Helplines

Samaritans – Cambridge

Samaritans is a non-religious organisation that offers a confidential phone service available 24/7
Tel: 01223 364455 or 08457 909090

SANE

SANE is a national mental health charity which offers specialist emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.
Tel: 0845 767 8000 Open from 6pm – 11pm

Lifecraft

Lifecraft is another national mental health charity that provides a confidential phone service across Cambridgeshire.
Tel: 0808 808 2121 Open from 7pm – 11pm

Linkline

Linkline is a student-run confidential listening service.
Tel: 01223 744 444 or 01223 367 575 Open from 7pm – 7am

Email them and they will get back in under 48 hours, and their email service automatically strips your email address, so they cannot who you are.

Counselling Directory

A service for connecting people with qualified counsellors

Eating disorders

If you have an eating disorder, or are concerned that you are developing problems you can always talk to your support team and specifically the college nurse as well as the University counselling service.