Hello!
I’ve been reading through a few blogs and I realised that getting mental health support for students is a common issue. I’ve decided to share my advice for getting support.
It seems that counselling services are UAL are slow, unsympathetic and unhelpful at times. I want to emphasise that this is not the only option available to students. Mental health services in general are underresourced and oversubscribed. I always advise that people apply to every single service that they can find and see which one they get first.
First step is to ask for help from their GP. A GP can refer them to their local community mental health unit. They can also refer themselves to NHS mental health services if they do not feel comfortable with speaking to their GP about their issues.
I have a list of services where students can access support outside of the institution.
Helplines:
Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/
Switchboard (LGBT+ specific) – https://switchboard.lgbt/
Counselling:
AnxietyUK – https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
Mind – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/
Power to Live (I am personally using this one and I have found it helpful) – https://powertolive.uk/
Bear in mind that the counselling offered by UAL may not be helpful for the student. Most counselling services (especially NHS) use CBT. There are many types of counselling/therapy out there and there isn’t a one size fits all solution.
Info on other types of therapy (non-exhaustive):
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/talking-therapy-and-counselling/types-of-talking-therapy/
If the student has a really specific problem, like an eating disorder, generalised anxiety etc. It may be helpful to signpost them to service that specialises in that. They may be able to get more appropriate help sooner. A GP can refer them to a specialist in this case. A quick google should also help find organisations who offer support for specific issues.
If you believe that the student is in an extreme crisis and may not be able to keep themself safe please help them get to A&E.
Another thing to bear in mind is to not seem to shove the person to a “professional” so quickly. Being that person that is coldly deferred to a hard to reach professional feels like being a burden. This contributes to an inhospitable environment where they can only rejoin “normal society” when they are “better”. Please read the Johanna Hedva piece I attached in my previous blog post for a better articulation.
If you feel you are able to support and hold space for them emotionally, this can be helpful too. Listening and holding space are things you can do if you feel up for it. Don’t force yourself to help someone if you’re not ready. You can do more harm than good.
I am not trained in mental health first aid, but I know techniques that have been used on me by first aiders when I am experiencing a panic attack. When you detect that someone may be experiencing a panic attack you can try:
1 – Breathing
If they are beginning to hyperventilate, prompt them to breathe deeply and slowly by breathing deeply and slowly yourself. Take a deep breath and exhale audibly, sitting beside them. You breathing will prompt them to begin breathing themselves.
2 – 5 Senses
A grounding exercise like 5 senses might help de-escalate anxiety. Here is an article explaining it.
From my experience, panic attacks can last a long time. My panic attacks normally last 3 days and subsides when I am too exhausted to panic. Please be patient with them.
I hope this is helpful. Feel free to comment, critique and add!
