World Mental Health Day on Saturday, 10 October is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma and discrimination.
This year’s theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is mental health for all, and, with the COVID-19 global health emergency also impacting on the mental health of millions of people, raising awareness of the support that is available is more important than ever.
With this in mind, we’ve put together this round-up of some of the support available at the University, and key things you can do to look after your wellbeing. Stay safe and remember, if you need help, we’re here for you.
Make sure you regularly visit our COVID-19 Safety Hub, the Liverpool City Council’s COVID-19 section and the Government’s COVID-19 section for the most up-to-date guidance.
How to get support
If at any time during your studies you feel you might benefit from some extra support, we’re here to help.
Student Services offer comprehensive support and welfare services. The team are currently offering support via phone and email. They also have a limited number of daily appointments. Visit the Student Service webpages to get in touch and find out more.
Emergency support
If you or a friend is in danger, you will need to call the appropriate emergency service by calling 999.
For 24-hour help, please call The Samaritans who offer a 24-hour helpline (116 123).
You can also find support via the Students Against Depression website, or through Merseycare, a 24-hour telephone line which offers psychological support.
5 non-emergency mental health support links
1. Student Support Services
Student Services offer comprehensive support to all students across a number of areas including:
- Student Welfare Advice and Guidance
- Counselling Service
- Mental Health Advisory Service
- Advice and Guidance
- Disability Advice and Guidance
- International Advice and Guidance
- Money Advice and Guidance
2. Togetherall
Formerly known as Big White Wall, Togetherall is a free online mental health and wellbeing service that provides 24/7 online peer and professional support, with trained counsellors.
Togetherall provides a safe space online to get things off your chest, explore your feelings and learn how to improve and self-manage your mental health and wellbeing. It is totally anonymous, so no one will know you’ve chosen to use it unless you tell them.
More than three quarters of members feel better as a result of using the service. You can get support at any time of the day or night, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
3. FIKA app
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Fika has created a dedicated series of programmes allowing students to learn from expert psychologists, other students, academics and professional athletes in five-minute video, audio and text programmes.
These programmes are specifically designed to help combat the challenges of remote study and the mental health impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Programmes and audio guides cover topics including managing distractions and uncertainty, maintaining motivation and positivity, staying connected, self-care and healthy habits.
As a University of Liverpool student, you have free access to the Fika app. You can log-in using your liverpool.ac.uk email address.
4. Student Space
Student Space brings together all of the wellbeing services, tools and information you may need to help you through the pandemic.
Student Space can help you:
- Access dedicated student support services by phone or by text
- Locate information and tools to help you through coronavirus-related challenges
- Find out what support the University can provide
Created by Student Minds, Student Space is available to all students in England and Wales.
5. Wellbeing reading list
The Library have created a full wellbeing reading list, all accessible through the University library online.
Wellbeing guidance
1. Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date.
2. Download the Evergreen Life App
By reporting your symptoms in the Evergreen Life app, you can help keep your university COVID secure. Please download our dedicated version of the Evergreen Life App. It’s important you download the app using the University’s bespoke link.
3. Register with your local GP
If you haven’t registered with a GP in Liverpool yet, make sure you contact Brownlow Health or your local GP as soon as possible.
Registering with Brownlow Health gives you all the benefits of a local GP, with the added convenience of online appointments and online services, such as sexual health and contraception, mental health review, repeat prescriptions, blood tests and foreign travel advice.
It’s absolutely free and the services at Brownlow Health can be accessed remotely, meaning you can still be in touch out of term time.
BRIT 2021
The University is also pleased to announce it will be supporting BRIT 2021, and joining teams from across the UK in February 2021 as they take part in the month-long challenge to raise money for charity while helping to reduce loneliness, improve mental and physical health, and provide a free to participate, feelgood fundraiser. Look out for further announcements when registrations for the challenge open later in the autumn.