Sometimes it can be helpful to search out more information to help you identify what your own, or another person's, difficulty might be, or how you might manage to deal with it differently. There is an increasing amount of information available on student mental health, and some relevant resources are listed below. Please note that although self-help can be really useful, it is not a substitute for seeking professional help.

Please note that University of the Arts London is not responsible for the quality or accuracy of the information given by external organisations or the content of their websites.

Anxiety

Panic-Attacks
Offers a free online/e-mail course for those who suffer from panic attacks.
Web: http://www.panic-attacks.co.uk/

No Panic
Provides support for sufferers of panic attacks, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and tranquilliser withdrawal and has a free helpline
Tel: 0808 808 0545
Web: http://www.nopanic.org.uk/

Depression

Depression Alliance
Support and information for those affected by Depression and their carers
Web: http://www.depressionalliance.org/

Student Depression Website
Offers helpful advice and information on Depression to students. It also offers advice for anyone feeling suicidal.
Web: http://www.studentdepression.org/

Seasonal Affective Disorder Association (SADA)
Information on symptoms and treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder
Web: http://www.sada.org.uk/

Back to top

Bipolar Disorder

Schizophrenia

Rethink
Information and services for those affected by severe mental health difficulties. Includes a sub- division for young people.
Web: http://www.rethink.org/

Back to top

Eating Disorders

B-EAT (former name Eating Disorders Association)
Information for women and men with eating difficulties
Tel: 0845 634 1414 (National Helpline)
0845 634 7650 (Youth line)
Web: http://www.b-eat.co.uk/

Back to top

Alcohol and Drug Support Services

FRANK (Previously known as National Drugs Helpline)
24-hour helpline, providing general information and advice on drugs/alcohol. Also have information on other helplines and local drug agencies. Interpreting service available.
Tel: 0800 77 66 00
Textphone: 0800 917 8765
Web: http://www.talktofrank.com/.

Addaction
Alcohol and substance misuse support
Tel: 01273 607575
Web: http://www.addaction.org.uk/

Alcoholics Anonymous
Groups nationwide to address alcohol issues
Web: http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

Drinkline
24-hr Helpline offering support/advice re: alcohol misuse
Tel: 0800 917 8282 (freephone)

Back to top

Helplines

Samaritans
A telephone, e-mail and visitor service for anyone experiencing emotional distress.
Tel: 08457 909090 for an immediate response (24-hour confidential listening service)
Web: http://www.samaritans.org.uk/
Email: jo@samaritans.org where messages will be replied to within 24 hours
Email: samaritans@anon.penet.fi if you prefer to be anonymous

Samaritans Central London Branch -Visitor Service
Address: 46 Marshall Street, London W1F BF (Visitors are welcome from 9am to 9pm daily)
Tel: 020 7734 2800
Web: www.samaritans.org/cls

Samaritans Japanese Line: For emotional support in Japanese
Tel: 020 7287 5493

Nightline
If you find yourself worrying about things at night and you would like to talk to another student confidentially. This is available every night of term 6pm - 8am.
Tel: 0207 630101
Web: http://www.nightline.org.uk/

Saneline
Saneline provides practical information, crisis care, and emotional support to anybody affected by mental health problems.
Tel: 0845 767 8000
Web: http://www.sane.org.uk/

Back to top

General Mental Health Information

MIND
MIND provides information and advice on mental health issues. MIND 'Understanding' series of leaflets give straightforward and practical information on a range of mental health issues, together with resource lists for seeking further help. MIND 'How to' series of leaflets cover topics such as assertiveness, dealing with panic attacks, coping with student life etc.
Web: http://www.mind.org.uk/

BBC Mental Health section
Web: www.bbc.co.uk/health/mental

Mental Health Foundation
Provides information on problems, treatment, and strategies. Site covers current research, publications, conferences and service users' rights
Web: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Other

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD ACTION
Information, treatment and support for those affected by OCD
Web: http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/

Self-Harm

National Self-Harm Network
Offers support for those who self harm and provides information, contacts and workshops on matters relating to self harm
Web: http://www.nshn.co.uk/

Bereavement

Cruse
Offers bereavement counselling (nationwide)
Web: http://www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk/

Relationship Issues

Relate
Help with relationship issues. Includes useful and informative self-help fact sheets
Web: http://www.relate.org.uk/

Health-related problems (physical)

NHS Direct
Free expert health advice and information
Tel: 0845 4647
Web: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

Domestic Violence

Everyman Helpline
Confidential service to discuss violence and/or violence-related problems. For those who wish to stop being violent and for those dealing with violence.
Tel: 0207 263 8884

Refuge- National Domestic Violence Helpline

Freephone 24-hr helpline for women experiencing domestic violence
Tel: 0808 2000 247

Sexuality

Lesbian & Gay Switchboard
Helpline providing information, support and advice for any issues relating to lesbian, gay or bisexual life
Tel: 020 7837 7324

Back to top

National websites and Helplines

• Royal College of Psychiatrists 'Help is at Hand' is a series of leaflets offering information on depression, bereavement, problems with food and eating, anxiety etc.
• Royal College of Psychiatrists 'Mental Health' fact sheets contain information on specific psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc.
• Ahead 4 health Useful student mental health website
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
• http://www.student.counselling.co.uk/ Information on many mental health problems, compiled especially for students by a number of UK University
• Counselling Services, can be found at. This site also has useful links to other national organisations.
• See also http://www.befrienders.org/ for support and information in many languages as well as English

Back to top