Everyone has mental health – sometimes good, sometimes not so good. As a student you may be someone who has experienced distressing thoughts and feelings in the past, or you may find that the stress of your new life causes you to feel worried, frightened or confused.

University can be an exciting experience when you leave home, make new friends and study in an academic environment. But sometimes it can be a difficult time; you may feel homesick, worried about money and pressures of study, or that you are ‘not fitting in’. These feelings are very common and usually subside as you begin to settle into your new life.

Sometimes, however, these feelings can become overwhelming and develop into depression or other types of mental health problems. If you feel like this it is a good idea to seek help as soon as possible.

At the University of Essex there is help and support available for people who are experiencing emotional distress. There are a range of support services including specialist mental health advisers and mentors, based in Student Support, the Counselling Service, the Health Centre at Colchester Campus or your GP, Nightline, the Multi Faith Chaplaincy Centre and the Student Union.

• If you are feeling unhappy, stressed, anxious, finding it hard to cope and are concerned about your mental health
• If you would like to talk with someone about your mental health difficulties and how they are affecting your life at University
• If you have a mental health difficulty and want some help liaising with others to minimise its impact on your studies.

• Provide a listening ear, advice and support to students
• Help manage crisis situations
• Provide information about mental health issues and services
• Ensure, with the Disability Team, that students have appropriate admission arrangements, facilities and study support to enable them to begin, continue and graduate from their studies at the University
• Liaise with departments on your behalf to have mental health difficulties taken into consideration
• Refer you to the counselling service, if appropriate
• Support students during and after a break from studies or a hospital admission
• Talk to staff to improve their understanding of mental health difficulties and their effect on students
• Advice and guidance on accessing your studies including learning support, examination arrangements and additional funding
• Advice on the assistance provided by Student Support Workers including mentors.

Contact us

• Counselling 
• Nightline
• Student Union
• Multi Faith Chaplaincy Centre

External Links

• Student Depression
• Food and Mood Project
• No Panic