HELPFUL RESOURCES
UWS RESOURCES
In this section, you will find information about:
Reading for Wellbeing
The Wee Free Library
The UWS Student Wellbeing booklet
Our Be Good to Yourself leaflet
READING FOR WELLBEING – SPECIAL COLLECTION OF SELF-HELP BOOKS IN UWS LIBRARY
Reading self-help books is a great way to develop your understanding of life’s challenges, and to learn practical strategies for coping with the issues that are affecting you. We have therefore put together a comprehensive list of books that you can borrow from the UWS Library.
The booklist tells you which campus you can borrow a print copy from, and as usual, you can request to pick up a book from your preferred campus. The list also tells you which titles are available as electronic books.
We have worked with the Library to set up a Leganto reading list of all the titles: https://uws-uk.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44PAI_INST/lists/14204285110003931?auth=LDAP
The Topics
Our booklist includes titles on more than 20 self-help topics
• Abuse
• Alcohol and drug use
• Anger
• Anti-racism
• Assertiveness
• Bereavement
• Bullying
• Chronic illness
• Depression
• Eating disorders & body image
• LGBT+
• Menopause, periods & PCOS
• Mindfulness & compassion
• Procrastination & perfectionism
• Psychology & neuroscience
• Relationships & loneliness
• Resilience
• Self-esteem & self-confidence
• Self-harm & suicide
• Sexuality
• Sleep
• Social anxiety
• Stress & anxiety
• Student life & study skills
• Time management
• Trauma
The benefits
You are not alone
It can be reassuring to know that the issues you are facing have also been experienced by other people, and that they’ve found effective ways of dealing with their situation. Reading other people’s stories can reduce isolation, offer a new perspective, combat feelings like guilt or shame, and help you feel inspired and empowered to take action.
Self-awareness
Self-help books often include questionnaires or other reflective activities to help you learn about yourself. These can help you reflect on whether any existing coping mechanisms are working, or whether to try out some new techniques or strategies.
Take action
Self-help books contain a wealth of practical suggestions that have been tried and tested so you can be confident that the techniques and strategies do work. It can also be reassuring to learn that it’s best to start with small steps and that you’re not expected to turn your life around overnight!
Build a support network
Learning about yourself and your situation can give you the right words and confidence to seek help, such as talking with your friends and family, your GP, a Counsellor, or your Personal Tutor or Lecturer. And if you feel that other people are supporting you, you are likely to feel better about yourself and more confident about making changes in your life.
READING FOR PLEASURE – THE WEE FREE LIBRARY
RDid you know that on every campus there is also a Wee Free Library for all students and staff to use? Brought to you by UWS Library, the Wee Free Libraries have a wide range of different books which can be taken to read and keep/pass on/return for someone else to enjoy. Each one is stocked with a wide range of books including fiction, autobiographies & cookbooks.
You can use the Wee Free Library without having to issue any items to your Library account. Next time you are on campus, why not pop along to discover your next read!
Find out more here: Wee Free Libraries Guide
OTHER RESOURCES
In this section, you will find information about:
SilverCloud
Daylight
Sleepio
Silvercloud, Daylight and Sleepio are all available free for people living in Scotland. *
Access them anywhere on your computer, tablet or mobile. For more information on accessing these resources and how they can help you, check out the NHS inform Get Help With Your Mental Health guide.
*For UWS students living outside Scotland, check your local NHS Trust for similar self-help resources. Some NHS Trusts in England also offer these online resources.
Silvercloud
Silvercloud gives you secure, immediate access to interactive Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) modules. It’s easy to use, interesting and motivational. Programmes include:
• Space from Stress
• Space from Anxiety
• Space from Depression
• Space for Positive Body Image
You can sign up for Silvercloud with the access code NHS24 and your email.
Daylight
Daylight is a digital programme to improve anxiety based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) that can be used daily.
Visit Daylight for more information and to sign up.
Sleepio
Sleepio is a digital sleep improvement programme based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It’s clinically proven to help address the root causes of poor sleep and insomnia.
Visit Sleepio for more information and to sign up.
Last updated: 01/11/2024