The summer holidays are wrapping up and it’s almost time to head back to university. While this might be really exciting (you may have missed your friends and your independence), it can also be a little nerve-wracking.
Student life is full of adjustments, from moving away from your support system to managing your finances and balancing your studies. These things can feel overwhelming at times and they might take a toll on your mental health.
If you experience a mental health issue at university, you’re not alone; data shows that around one in six undergraduates report experiencing mental health challenges. However, poor mental health isn’t a fact of university life and there is help available if you’re struggling.
Before starting a new term, it’s a good idea to take some time to learn about how to manage your mental health at university. We’ve put together some tips to get you off to a positive start, which you can refer back to if you’re struggling.
If you’re experiencing a mental health issue, you’ll probably notice changes in your mood and behaviours. For instance, are you struggling to enjoy the things you used to? Are you finding it hard to motivate yourself to study or to socialise? Are you unable to fall asleep or sleeping too much? Are you missing your seminars and lectures? These are some tell-tale signs that you might be struggling with your mental health.
It can be really difficult when your university experience isn’t what you hoped it would be. You might see your home friends having a good time at their universities on social media and feel like you’re doing something ‘wrong’.
It’s important to remember that social media is a highlight reel and it’s normal to have ups and downs. It might take a little while for you to settle into your routine or find your people, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t happen.
When you’re away at university, it’s a good idea to stay in touch with your family members and your close friends. It’s comforting to have conversations with familiar people, even if they’re on the phone or by text.
At university, you’ll probably find that there’s a lot of stuff happening, from societies to nights out and student events (not to mention lectures and seminars). While you might want to throw yourself into student life, it’s important to be mindful about how much you’re taking on.
When we spread ourselves too thinly, we don’t have enough time to recharge our batteries, which can lead to burnout. It’s a good idea to set some boundaries so that you can balance your time between being busy and resting. We’ve written more about boundaries here.
How well we take care of ourselves can have a big impact on our mental health. Be kind to yourself by keeping your living space tidy, getting enough sleep, eating regular healthy meals, exercising and going outdoors. It’s also important to make sure that you have a break from studying and do something that you enjoy, such as reading, going to the cinema or seeing friends.
Remember, you have the right to choose what you do and don’t do. If someone is trying to convince you to do something you feel uneasy about (such as taking drugs), it can be uncomfortable to say no in the moment, but knowing and asserting your boundaries will save you from regretting your actions later.
If you’re homesick or you’re going through a tough time with your mental health, it’s a good idea to talk to someone about how you’re feeling. Is there a friend at university that you can confide in? If not, how about calling a family member or a home friend? There’s a good feeling from getting something out in the open and hopefully the person you speak to can look out for you and offer some support.
Most universities will offer mental health services for students. This might include mental health advisors, counselling services or nightline, which is a service where you can speak to someone on the phone. You can look up which mental health services your university offers on their website or you can contact the student services department or go to your student’s union.
Our mental health is like our physical health; the longer that you leave a problem, the worse it can get. If you’re struggling with your mental health, it’s important to seek help sooner rather than later. As a first point of call, make an appointment with your GP, who will be able to help you understand your symptoms and talk you through the treatment options.
Your GP might suggest cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). At ieso, we offer typed CBT for a range of mental health issues. Patients can ‘speak’ to one of our qualified therapists by typing back and forward via our secure online platform. It’s completely remote, so sessions can take place anywhere that you have an internet connection. If you’d prefer to talk to someone face-to-face, we also offer video calls in some areas. Our service is free for some NHS patients - find out more about what we do.
Mental health affects us all. This means it's essential that mental health services are equally available to everyone, everywhere. This World Mental Health Day, 10th October, we explore the right to access care.
This week is National Work Life Week, a campaign led by the charity, Working Families, to get people talking about wellbeing at work and work-life balance.
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