Mental health and wellbeing

It is well documented that one in four people in Scotland will experience mental health difficulties, and many more will know someone experiencing mental health difficulties at some point in their life.

At UWS we take the mental health and wellbeing of our staff and students seriously and wish to signpost those seeking information and support, towards help.

Below you will find links to a number of external websites and apps that offer help and support around mental health and general wellbeing suitable for anyone.

  • The Mix

This crisis messenger texting service for U25s offers a trained response within 5 minutes of a text being sent.

https://www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team/crisis-messenger

In a crisis obtain help by phoning the emergency services by dialling 999, on campus dial 222 for a first aider, contact your GP, or contact NHS 24 by dialling 111.

  • Information and support for survivors of abuse visit SupportLine

Problems - Child Abuse Surviors

 

 

  • Alcoholics Anonymous
    If you seem to be having trouble with your drinking, or if your drinking has reached the point of where it worries you, you may be interested to know something about Alcoholics Anonymous and the AA programme of recovery from alcoholism.

More about Alcoholics Anonymous

Video Guides for partners, carers and suffers of depression from the World Health Organisation (WHO):

I had a black dog (video)

 

Living With a Black Dog (VIDEO)

  • Women’s Aid
    A charity aimed at suporting survivors and camapigning for the victims of domestic abuse

 

More About Women's aid

  • Forced Marriage
    Karma Nirvana run a UK-based helpline, train professionals, gather data to inform policies and services, and campaign for change and ultimately to end Honour Based Abuse.

More About Karma Nirvana

 

  • The Gender Trust is a listening ear, a caring support and an information centre for anyone with any question or problem concerning their gender identity, or whose loved one is struggling with gender identity issues.

The Gender Trust

  • TAKE 5 CAMPAIGN - five simple actions to help maintain and improve your emotional wellbeing in everyday life. Try to build these into your daily life. Think of them as your 'five a day' for emotional wellbeing.

Making Life Better Together (pdf)

 

  • Live Happy (Free: iOS). This app is based on the realm of positive psychology: ideas for boosting optimum happiness using psychology, rather than only using psychological ideas, to treat unhappiness. It prompts you to engage in a range of activities, which research has shown can boost your mood. It includes goal-setting, savouring the present moment, thinking about your best possible self and many more features.

Live Happy Podcasts

 

  • Guided Visualisations for Relaxation and Well-being
    Online meditation progammes for improved sleep, wellbeing and relaxation.

Meditainment - Guided Meditation and Visualisation

 

  • NHS list of mental health resources

NHS Mental Health Resources

 

  • The Mental Health Foundation has a series of podcasts where different people and experts to chat about mental health issues.

Mental Health Foundation Podcasts

 

  • Doc Ready has info and advice about what to expect and how to plan speaking to a GP about your mental health.

More about Doc Ready

 

  • Finding Peace in a Frantic World This website provides a host of resources including podcasts and video and book reviews on mindfulness and lots of free, guided meditations.

Frantic World and Mindfulness

 

  • Learn to meditate in a moment with this animated video, based on Martin Boroson's book, One-Moment Meditation

One-Moment Meditation (Video)

 

  • Headspace ­­App - mindfulness techniques have benefits for mood, attention and general coping skills for the ups and downs of life. This subscription-based app gives you 10 short meditations, four brief videos explaining what meditation is and a series of facts and questions. Keep track of how many of the meditations you have listened to and try 10 minutes a day for 10 days.

More about the HEADSPACE app

 

  • Explore mindful self-compassion with free guided meditations from Dr Chris Germer.

Centre for Mindful Self-Compassion

 

  • Relationships Scotland’s  network provide relationship counselling, family mediation, child contact centres and other family support services across all of mainland and island Scotland.  Its work supports individuals, couples and families experiencing relationship difficulties.

More on Relationships Scotland

 

  • Learn more about self-compassion from Dr Kristin Neff, and find a host of resources to help you give yourself support and encouragement rather than being cold and judgmental when challenges and difficulty arise in your life.

Learn More About Self-Compassion

  • Explore mindful self-compassion with free guided meditations from Dr Chris Germer.

Centre for Mindful Self-Compassion

 

  • HARMLESS
    Harmless is a passionate organisation which works to address and overcome issues related to self-harm and suicide. It provides services for people who self-harm, their friends, families and professionals.

Learn More About Harmless

 

  • Archway Glasgow provides forensic, medical, support and counselling services to anyone aged 13 and over who has been sexually assaulted within the last seven days. This is not a drop in service, you must telephone first.

Archway Glasgow - Sexual Assault Support Clinic

 

  • Rape Crisis Scotland - provides a national rape crisis helpline and email support for anyone affected by sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened.

Rape Crisis Helpline

 

  • LGBT+ Youth
    Scotland’s national charity for LGBTQ+ young people, working with 13–25 year olds.

More about LGBT+ Youth Scotland

 

  • Pink therapy resources
    As the UK’s largest independent therapy organisation working with gender and sexual diversity clients, the Pink Therapy website offers a directory of qualified LGBTQIA+ friendly therapists and counsellors providing trusted, non-judgmental services.

More About Pink Therapy

 

  • Insomnia and sleep problem resources
    This website provides print and audio downloads can help you overcome insomnia, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality.

Sleep Resources

 

  • Inspiring article on being an introvert
    Susan Cain's Guardian Newspaper article to promote the power of introverts in all areas of life. It outlines how she wants to help young people reclaim the power of the quiet, thoughtful inner life.

Susan Cain on Being an Introvert

 

  • Inspiring Ted Talk on being an introvert
    Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated.

Susan Cain's TED Talk on Introverts

 

  • Zero Suicide Alliance

    The Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) aims to empower, educate, and equip individuals and organisations to support suicide awareness and prevention.

    We are UK based and hosted by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and funded via Mersey Cares NHS Charity.

More on the Zero Suicide Alliance

 

  • NHS list of mental health helplines

NHS Mental Health Services

 

  • Online modules from the Government of Western Australia's Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) website dealing with a wide range of topics (eg assertiveness, self-esteem, health anxiety and bipolar disorder)

CCI Self-help Resouces

 

  • NHS Cumbria, Northumberland and Tyne & Wear Trust's online leaflet library covers a wide range of self-help topics.

Northumberland, Tyne and WeAr Self-help NHS Leaflet Library

http://www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/selfhelp/#

Last updated: 22/11/2023