Looking after our mental health and wellbeing
Like our physical health, our mental health changes and is impacted by many factors.
Stress, worry, sadness, and anger are all healthy parts of human experience as well as calm, joy and excitement.
There are small things we can do to keep our emotions and mental health in balance.
5 Ways to Wellbeing
Simple tips and strategies to support balance in wellbeing and mental health
Student Wellbeing Toolkit
A plan you can personalise to help notice changes in your wellbeing and mental health and strategies to manage
Online Supportive Resources
The University's Counselling Service offer resources that may be helpful when thinking about any challenges that you may be facing and what you can do to address these
When to seek help
If you are struggling to find a balance, perhaps you are experiencing:
- homesickness
- overwhelm
- low mood
- loneliness
- family worries
- academic issues
- anxiety, panic or panic attacks
- disturbed sleep
- problems with eating
- problems with alcohol or drugs
- self-harm
- suicidal thoughts
Talking to someone can help.
We can support you to find the right person to contact.
Who to contact for support
College Support
If you are experiencing difficulty with your welfare, mental health or wellbeing you can speak to a member of the College Welfare Team
College Nurse
For mental health concerns including sleep disturbance, eating disturbance, anxiety and panic attacks, low mood, depression, suicidal thoughts. The college nurse is based on college site in 27 Banbury Road on the ground floor. Click for availability and online booking.
College Doctor
A General Practitioner (GP) based in a community health centre offering in person, telephone and online consultations: Dr Leaver & Partners, Jericho Health Centre, New Radcliffe House, Walton Street (T) 01865 311234 Email: jerichohc.prescriptions@nhs.net
Dean of Welfare
For any welfare concern for yourself or another student, unsure where to access support, family issues including estrangement and concern around returning home for vacation, or if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Wider Support
Oxford University Counselling Service
The Service offers free and confidential short-term individual and group support for students experiencing mental health difficulties. You may make an appointment by email: counselling@admin.ox.ac.uk. Podcasts and self-help resources are also available on the website.
Talking Space Plus
Offering a range of FREE talking therapies through the NHS to people registered with an Oxfordshire GP.
Oxford Samaritans
If something's troubling you, get in touch by telephone, email or visit to speak to someone face to face, even if you are worried about someone else Call 116 123 (this number is free to call) Email: jo@samaritans.org Visit the Oxford branch: Samaritans Oxford, 60 Magdalen Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1RB T:01865 722 122 (local call charges apply) Open 7 days a week 8:00am - 10:00pm and wheelchair accessible
Oxford Safe Haven
If you experience mental health crisis, you can get support with Oxford Safe Haven by calling 01865 903 037. A non-clinical space offering crisis support, signposting, safety planning and listening support. They offer one to one support on the phone or face to face and online. Open 7 days a week from 6pm until 10pm. The referral line is open from 5pm on the day of the service and the last entry is at 9pm. You must call first to book an appointment for the same day.
Togetherall
Offers opportunity to connect with other students experiencing similar issues through online forums. You can also access advice and self-learning courses. Register with your university email account.
Students Against Depression
A website offering advice, information, guidance and resources to those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking. Alongside clinically-validated information and resources it presents the experiences, strategies and advice of students themselves – after all, who better to speak to their peers about how depression can be overcome?