Emotional Health
(see also: Counselling and Mental Health Support Service; Depression; Mental Health; Stress, Anxiety.)
Coming to university is probably one of the most exciting times of your life. Most of the time being a student is fun, but it can also have its stresses. Things like homesickness, loneliness, exams or financial pressures can trigger emotional problems such as stress, insomnia, anxiety or depression.
Student life throws up many challenges; enough to cause anyone anxiety and distress and it is not unusual to need help to make sense of your feelings. The internal support structure at Northumbria offers a wide range of help: Guidance Tutors, Counsellors, Mental Health Practitioners, Welfare Advisers and the Chaplains all provide different ways of helping you to overcome your problems.
Where to get help?
Your GP – emotional problems can present themselves in physical as well as emotional ways, so it can help to see your doctor, particularly if you are feeling depressed, or if insomnia is leaving you exhausted or a lack of appetite means you have lost a lot of weight.
Guidance Tutor – if the people who are closest to you are not able to help, or if you don't want to talk about your feelings with them because you feel embarrassed or think they won't understand, you could always try talking to your Guidance Tutor, she/he may be able to refer you to someone who can help. If appropriate, your Guidance Tutor should also be able to help with arranging extra time for your exams and assignments. University regulations allow students to draw to the attention of the Examination Board any significant Personal Extenuating Circumstances (PECs) that may have affected their performance and your Guidance Tutor can advise you on this. They can also offer advice should you decide to withdraw from your programme or to take some time out.
Student Support and Wellbeing - the following services can be found at City Campus (Northumberland Building, ground floor) and Coach Lane Campus (Allendale Building). Tel: 0191 227 4127
Counselling and Mental Health Support Team - If you are unable to cope or feel that no one around understands what you are going through, a counsellor could really help. The counsellor's main job is to listen, acknowledge your feelings and think with you about what might be helpful. Mental Health Practitioners can help manage and alleviate stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues, if you feel they have become a problem. Email: sv.counselling@northumbria.ac.uk or sv.mentalhealth@northumbria.ac.uk
Student Welfare Support – the Welfare Advisers can offer lots of practical support, for example, if you have financial problems they can help you to work out a budget and advise on any additional loan/grants that you may be entitled to. Email: sv.welfare@northumbria.ac.uk
Disabilities Support - the disabilities advisors provide advice and practical support for students with disabilities, for example, advice on Disabled Students Allowance, dyslexia screening, exam arrangements and equipment loan.
Email: sv.disability@northumbria.ac.uk
Chaplaincy – the Chaplains have had many years of experience of listening to people in distress. They are happy to give time to hear you talk about your problems. They respect your integrity and will in no way force a set of beliefs on you.The Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Centre is located in Rooms 406-409, Wynne Jones Building, City Campus.
