Your Mental Health During Lockdown & Support Available For Students

As another nationwide lockdown draws to a close, and the tier system is due to return, we’re all doing everything we can to try and remain positive and upbeat in these challenging times that we’re all facing. Sometimes the restrictions can make things a little difficult, not being able to see friends and family, and do the normal day to day things we like to do can have an effect on how we’re feeling, and we know a lot of you are likely to be feeling the same way, particularly those who are living away from home.

Over the recent weeks, we’ve been chatting with lots of different people to find out how they’re coping with the ongoing restrictions. Here are a few of the best suggestions we’ve heard – there’s some great ideas!

• Reach out to family and friends, even if it’s just to check in and say a quick hello each day, having that consistent communication with others will help you feel more connected to your loved ones.
• Make use of the outdoors; even though it’s getting colder, taking the time wrap up warm and explore new areas, getting out and about will definitely help you clear your head and blow the cobwebs away!
• Start a new hobby; what better time than now to learn the language you’ve always wanted to or to become a better cook?!
• Remember, everyone is going to have different ways of dealing with how the restrictions are making them feel. Give your housemates some space, and work together to keep each other company and get through it together 😊
• The most important thing is to remember you are not alone; we’re all in the same boat, and this won’t be forever!

For students in Leeds, there are many outlets in which you can seek help if you feel like it’s getting too much for you. Each Uni has a dedicated support team, who are there for you to talk to if you need a friendly face. We’ve included some of the advice and information we’ve been given below. There are also many great support spaces in general for people based in Leeds; it is really worth checking them out!

 

UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS 

LUU Help and Support is here to support you during this challenging year. If you’re isolating and need help- practical, emotional, financial, academic- we’re here for you. They can even arrange food deliveries if you’re struggling to get the essentials.

 If you’ve been hit financially we may be able to help with an emergency hardship payment and advice about your options going forward.

 They have professional advisers who are independent from the University and we are offering drop in sessions by phone, video call, and in person. Contact them on 0113 3801400 helpandsupport@luu.leeds.ac.uk or call in to LUU to chat to the team. Their current Opening Times are:

Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 12am to 6pm

https://www.luu.org.uk/help-support/

 

LEEDS BECKETT

 Leeds Beckett Student Union has a Mental Health Hub signposting students to some of the local and national support available for anyone who is struggling (https://www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/mental-health-hub)

LEEDS TRINITY

LTU Students can find a range of support on the myLTU app (available for Android and Apple).  Here you’ll find two main “tiles” to focus on “mental health” and “help”.  These enable Students to self-refer and book in appointments for mental health, finance, practical issues, disability and academic support.

And if you are struggling with access to the app but wanted to refer for mental health support then they can refer directly via this link which will go straight to the referral form:

https://studentportal.pcmis.com/LTU.html

LTU also provide information and publicise the other external support links (referenced below)

GENERAL

 West Yorkshire 24 Hour Mental Health Helpline

0800 183 0558

This is a 24 hour Yorkshire NHS service staffed by trained mental health professionals who can listen and support you as well as connecting you with other local and national services.

 

Togetherall (formerly Big White Wall)

https://togetherall.com/en-gb/

You can login here using your LTU login and they offer a confidential forum as well as numerous self-help focused talks which you can watch at a time convenient for you.

 

Omnitherapy

https://leeds.omnitherapy.org/courses/online

These Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) focused self-help videos are free via Leeds NHS

 

Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service

https://www.leedscommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services-a-z/leeds-mental-wellbeing-service/home/

The NHS mental health and wellbeing service in Leeds (available to all LTU Students) offering a range of therapies, groups and webinars via online and face to face means.

 

Student Space

https://studentspace.org.uk/

You can access free telephone, text or webchat support here.