FAQs for Students
I would like to see someone regarding my wellbeing. How can I do this?
Simply contact the counselling & wellbeing coordinator on 0161 295 4661/7008 for an informal chat and to arrange a time to meet with an advisor. Alternatively you can email counsellingandwellbeing@salford.ac.uk or visit the Student Life advice desk in University House. You can also attend the Wellbeing drop in on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am through to 12pm, once again visit the advice desk in University House in order to arrange this.
I would like to see someone regarding my mental health. How can I do this?
Simply contact the counselling & wellbeing coordinator on 0161 295 4661/7008 for an informal chat and to arrange a time to meet with an advisor. Alternatively you can email counsellingandwellbeing@salford.ac.uk or visit the Student Life advice desk in University House. You can also attend the mental health drop in on Wednesdays from 11am through to 1pm, once again visit the advice desk in University House in order to arrange this.
I would like to access counselling. How can I do this?
Simply contact the counselling & wellbeing coordinator on 0161 295 4661/7008 for an informal chat and to arrange a time to meet with a counsellor. Alternatively you can email counsellingandwellbeing@salford.ac.uk. Further information is available at the following weblink:
http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/page/counselling
I would like to see someone regarding an Academic Student Support plan for mental health. How can I arrange this?
You can contact us on 0161 295 7008/9000 or 5757 in order to book an appointment to set up a student support plan for a mental health need. If you are unable to contact us by phone you can also email your queries to counsellingandwellbeing@salford.ac.uk or visit the Student Life advice desk in University House. You can also attend the mental health drop in on Wednesdays from 9am through to 11am; once again visit the advice desk in University House in order to arrange this, or phone 0161 295 4661/7008 to book ahead on the day.
Please note that you will need medical evidence from your GP or doctor in order for support to be put in place, you also cannot have an appointment without this evidence.
What is counselling? How does it work?
Counselling is a free and confidential service, provided through the Student Life. It is available to all students of the University.
It is available to you to provide emotional support, help you become aware of your emotions and to come to terms with them, and also to help you reduce any stress you are experiencing because of your situation. Counselling is not here to offer you practical advice; this can be provided by accessing other services within Student Life.
The service operates Monday to Friday throughout the academic year. Appointments are normally held in University House. To book an appointment, simply contact the counselling & wellbeing coordinator on 0161 295 4661/7008 for an informal chat and to arrange a time to meet with a counsellor. Alternatively you can email counsellingandwellbeing@salford.ac.uk. Further information is available at the following web link: http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/page/counselling
You will be allocated your regular counsellor whom you will be able to see on a weekly or a fortnightly basis for as long as you need the support and help. Sessions normally last around 1 hour.
You will be able to request a male or female counsellor and a particular time of the week for appointments to suit your other commitments. As far as possible we will try to meet your needs.
All sessions are wholly confidential* and there is no contact with any members of your family, friends or tutors. *Unless risk of harm to self or others is identified.
What support can I get through a Mental Health Academic Student Support Plan?
Students are entitled to support which will help them to access their course on an equal level to their peers. If you have a mental health illness, contact the Counselling and Wellbeing Service to arrange an appointment with the mental health advisor. If appropriate the mental health advisor will produce a Student Support Plan which sets out the support you are entitled to from your tutors, school and University (medical evidence will be needed to verify that you are entitled to such support).
All students with a diagnosed disability are entitled to appropriate academic support in their lessons and in their assessments. This can include equipment, a medical or non medical helper, extra time in exams and special consideration when your work is marked. When you meet the mental health advisor you will discuss your needs and your Student Support Plan will be created. This plan will be passed to your School, and the agreed support should be in place within a few weeks. If you have an exam or coursework due before your support is in place, your advisor will do their best to arrange immediate support if appropriate/possible.
I have seen an event coming up and would like to find out more or book a slot, how can I do this?
The Health Promotion team within Student Life offer a range of fun activities, workshops, information and events to give you the opportunity to improve and maintain your Health & Wellbeing. To enquire about a particular event, either visit http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/page/events or email the Health Promotion team directly at studentlife-healthpromotion@salford.ac.uk.
I either self-harm or I’m feeling like I might harm myself, where can I access help?
The important thing is to find ways to start talking to someone you trust. It could be to a friend, a family member, a professional counsellor, a psychologist or a psychotherapist. A professional should have the training to listen to you and help you reach your feelings and manage them in a different way. We recommend talking to your GP, who can offer you a number of treatment choices including various forms of counselling or therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy. If you have already self harmed yourself badly, dial 999 to get help.
I feel like I don’t want to live anymore, where can I get help?
If you have had thoughts of suicide recently, or if you are feeling suicidal now, contact someone immediately for help:
• See your GP or the out-of-hours GP service. If you have already taken an overdose or cut yourself badly, dial 999.
• There are telephone help lines with specially trained volunteers who will listen to you, understand what you are going through, and help you through the immediate crisis. The Samaritans operate a service 24/7 for 365 days a year for people who want to talk in confidence to someone about their distress, including self-destructive thoughts, give them a call on 08457 909090.
• Or you could contact a friend, family member or someone you trust.
Where can I access a doctor?
There is a doctor here at the University of Salford. They are based on the third floor of the Maxwell building. You can contact them on 0161 295 4209/4287 or for more information visit the following web site. http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/page/doctors.
Where can I access a dentist?
Whilst you are at University you may want to register for routine dental check ups or emergency dental treatment. There are several dentists based in the local area which you can contact to see if they are registering patients:
Windsor Dental Practice Belvedere Road, Salford, Manchester, M6 5EQ 0161 736 1397
Breislin, J L 2 Bexley Square, Salford, Manchester, England - Uk, M3 6BZ 0161 834 5166
Gray W R 10 Ordsall District Centre, Salford, Manchester, M5 3PN 0161 872 3372
Salford Community Health - Dental Belfort Drive, Salford, Manchester, M5 3PP 0161 212 4755
If you are having a problem finding a dentist, call 0161 212 6310 or visit the NHS Choices website.
I have immediate concerns about my health, where can I get help?
In an emergency always call 999 for immediate help.
If you have a health concern (non emergency) you can always phone NHS Direct 24 hours a day on 08454647 or check your symptoms online at the NHS Direct website.
You can also visit the local Walk in Centre in Pendleton. For more details and a map click here.
I’ve already seen Counselling & Wellbeing and would like to make contact with their team. How do I do this?
Simply contact the counselling & wellbeing coordinator on 0161 295 4661/7008 or alternatively you can email counsellingandwellbeing@salford.ac.uk. If necessary, another appointment will be made with the service.
I would like some information about alcohol and drugs, where can I find this?
In the first instance if you have concerns we would advise that you speak to your GP or practice nurse or you may benefit from speaking to one of our wellbeing advisors who may be able to signpost you to a local support service. Alternatively you may wish to self refer to one of the following services:
- Salford Drug and Alcohol Team (DAAT) - 0161-745-7227
- SMART team (under 22's) - 0161-743-0167
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) - 0845 769 7555
To organise a time to see a wellbeing advisor, simply contact the counselling & wellbeing coordinator on 0161 295 4661/7008 . Alternatively you can email counsellingandwellbeing@salford.ac.uk or visit the Student Life advice desk in University House. You can also attend the Wellbeing drop in on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am through to 12:00pm; once again visit the advice desk in University House in order to arrange this.
I would like some information about healthy eating, where can I find this?
Visit http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/page/healthy-eating where you can find out about how to eat healthily, seasonally and find out about any fun events which are going on. For more information about health events, visit http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/page/events or email the Health Promotion team directly at studentlife-healthpromotion@salford.ac.uk.
I’m feeling isolated or lonely at university, where can I access help?
Simply contact the counselling & wellbeing coordinator on 0161 295 4661/7008 for an informal chat and to arrange a time to meet with an advisor. Alternatively you can email counsellingandwellbeing@salford.ac.uk or visit the Student Life advice desk in University House. You can also attend the Wellbeing drop in on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am through to 12:00pm, once again visit the advice desk in University House in order to arrange this. Further information can also be found on our webpage at http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/page/loneliness.
I can’t sleep
You should contact your GP or doctor to discuss this in more detail. If you wish, you can also contact the counselling & wellbeing coordinator on 0161 295 4661/7008 for an informal chat and to arrange a time to meet with an advisor. Alternatively you can email counsellingandwellbeing@salford.ac.uk or visit the Student Life advice desk in University House. You can also attend the Wellbeing drop in on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am through to 12pm, once again visit the advice desk in University House in order to arrange this. Further information can also be found on our webpage at http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/page/insomnia.
What is mental health?
Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave. One in four people in the UK has a mental health problem at some point, which can affect their daily life, relationships or physical health. Mental health problems can affect anyone. Without support and treatment, mental health problems can have a serious effect on the individual and those around them.
Mental health illnesses take many different forms and affect people in different ways. They can vary from short term temporary effects to long term conditions which could require medication or hospitalisation. Schizophrenia, depression and personality disorders are all types of mental health illness. Diseases such as dementia generally develop in old age, whereas eating disorders are more common in young people. There is no single cause of mental health problems and the reasons they develop are complex.
Students are often subject to changes in lifestyle which can make them more susceptible to mental health difficulties. Changes such as displacement (leaving their home/family), isolation, stress and pressure from work and studies as well as financial difficulties can often cause students to experience difficulties. These difficulties can then be heightened through a lack of established support (friends and family). Students already living with a Mental Health illness can experience difficulties trying to adapt to a new environment and routine. At Salford University we encourage students to disclose any Mental Health difficulties in order to enable us to offer the best support we can. Students are entitled to support which will help them to access their course on an equal level to their peers.
You can contact us on 0161 295 7008/9000 or 5757 in order to book an appointment to set up a student support plan for a mental health need. Please note that you will need medical evidence from your GP or doctor in order for support to be put in place, you must have this for your appointment. If you are unable to contact us by phone you can also email your queries to counsellingandwellbeing@salford.ac.uk or visit the Student Life advice desk in University House.
You can also attend the mental health drop in on Wednesdays from 9am through to 11am; once again visit the advice desk in University House in order to arrange this, or phone 0161 295 7008 to book ahead on the day.
When are the drop in sessions?
The drop in for the wellbeing service runs on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 10am and 12pm, with slots at 10am, 10:40am and 11:20am. The mental health drop service runs on Wednesdays from 9am to 11am with slots at 9am, 9:30am, 10am and 10:30am. Both drop in services are only bookable on the day so we recommend you phone ahead in the morning on 0161 295 7008 to book your slot, you can turn up if you wish but we cannot guarantee you will be seen.
I would like some information about sexual health
Simply contact the counselling & wellbeing coordinator on 0161 295 7008 for information on where to seek help and resources. Further information can also be found on our webpage.