Support

Sources of support

Alongside our counselling service, there are a range of volunteer services, self-help guides, and support services you can turn to if you need additional help.

Mental Health Crisis

The Student Wellbeing Service does not provide a mental health crisis or emergency service so please see below for who to contact for further support:

If you are in need of urgent help now and cannot keep yourself safe from harm:

  • Call 999 or attend your nearest Emergency Department.
  • If you are under the care of an NHS mental health community team, please contact them.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and are finding it difficult to cope contact one of the following NHS services:

NHS 111 service

  • The NHS non-emergency number is fast, easy and free. Call and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals.
  • They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you.
  • NHS 111 is available 24/7. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
  • Tel: 111
  • Web: www.nhs.uk/111

NHS Mental Health Crisis Services (Kent / Medway only)

  • Single Point of Access in Crisis/distress
  • For residents of Kent and Medway, call the 24 hour helpline on 0800 783 9111 if you    need urgent mental health support, advice and guidance.
  • Call 0800 107 0160 to release the pressure if you’re feeling stressed. You can also text "Kent" to 85258 for 24 hour mental health crisis support via text from trained volunteers.

NHS Mental Health Crisis Services (Greenwich only)

If you are distressed and would like to talk with someone immediately:

  • Contact Spectrum.Life who are available 24 hours a day to all registered students, with access to in the moment wellbeing and mental health support

London Nightline

London Nightline is a confidential listening, support, and information service for students in London. You can talk to London Nightline about anything in complete confidence.

London Nightline volunteers are students themselves, who have undergone extensive training and who understand that university life in London isn't always plain sailing.

Open from 6pm to 2am GMT every night of term.

Spectrum.Life

Our Student Assistance Programme (SAP) provides you with access to counselling support to help you cope and deal more effectively with any personal problems. Spectrum.Life will give you access to fitness plans, recipes, and eLearning content related to remote working, sleep and mental health among other topics. In addition, you will have access to numerous health and wellbeing related rewards such as discounted Fitbit Fitness Trackers!  The platform also gives you direct access to your Student Assistance Programme (SAP). More information can be found here.

NHS

Accident & Emergency

You can attend your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) department to be seen by the Psychiatric Liaison Team who can assess your needs and offer further support.

NHS Direct

NHS Direct has a list of helplines offering general and specialised advice on issues including abuse, addiction, anxiety, depression, parenting, and relationships.

Self-help guides

Wellbeing Self-Help Resources available on Academic and Wellbeing Resources Moodle Page

Course: Academic and Wellbeing Resources for all Students-NB0999-2019-20

This directory Mental Health and Wellbeing (gre.ac.uk) has been compiled by the Student Wellbeing Coordinators (Mental Health) and contains links to useful resources on the following:

  1. Abuse
  2. Addiction and Dependency
  3. Anger
  4. Anxiety
  5. Bereavement
  6. Bipolar Disorder
  7. Body Dysmorphia
  8. Depression and Low Mood
  9. Drugs and Alcohol
  10. Exam Stress
  11. Eating Disorders
  12. LGBTQ+ and Mental Health
  13. Medication
  14. General Mental Health and Wellbeing (including sleep, seeking help for mental health issues and information on Talking Therapies)
  15. Mindfulness
  16. Panic Attacks
  17. Resilience
  18. Self Esteem, Confidence and Assertiveness
  19. Self-Harm
  20. Stress
  21. Student Life and Mental Health
  22. Suicide
  23. Trauma

Further self-help guides are available through:

Helplines and resources

Dedicated 24-hour support helplines cover any number of issues that can affect you. We’ve listed some of the main helplines and support services.

The Samaritans

Samaritans is a confidential emotional support service for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.

  • Tel: 116 123
  • Email: jo@samaritans.org

Supportline

Supportline offers confidential support children, young adults and adults and is particularly aimed at those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse.

  • Tel: 01708 765200
  • Email: info@supportline.org.uk

National Domestic Violence Helpline

National Domestic Violence Helpline (NDVH) is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence or family, friends, colleagues calling on their behalf.

  • Tel: 0808 2000 247 (freephone, 24-hr)

Victim Support

Victim Support is a national charity giving free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends, and anyone else affected across England and Wales. They also speak out as a national voice for victims and witnesses and campaign for change.

  • Tel: 020 8854 1113 (Greenwich)
  • Tel: 020 8303 1248 (Bexley)
  • Tel: 0845 389 9527 (Medway)

Weightmatters

Weightmatters works with people with eating disorders and obesity.

  • Tel: 020 7622 7727
  • Email: help@weightmatters.co.uk

Maytree Service

Maytree is a registered charity supporting people in suicidal crisis in a non-medical setting.

  • Tel: 0207 263 7070
  • Email: maytree@maytree.org.uk

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