1 in 4 people is affected by a mental health problem in any year and it is estimated that around 1 in 5 people has contemplated suicide or self-harm.
There may be a number of reasons which cause you to become concerned about a student, friend or colleague's mental health and wellbeing. They might be acting differently, seem low, worried or stressed, or you might be concerned about their general wellbeing.
Think
- Are they in immediate danger? If you think someone is at immediate risk of hurting themselves or someone else call 999 and ask for an ambulance. If you are on campus, call security on extension 555: give details of your location and they will order an ambulance. Stay with them and reassure them help is on the way.
- High Risk Warning Signs. The NHS provides details on some of the warning signs for suicide and self harm.
- What is mental wellbeing?It might be useful to think about what mental wellbeing is and some of the types of mental health problems people can experience.
- Stigma and mental health: Time to Change. The way you act towards someone with a mental illness can change their life; by opening up to mental health you can make a real difference. Find out more on the Time to Change website.
Talk
- Listen. Just taking the time to listen to someone and talk about what has happened can help. These six active listening tips might help you support them.
- Tell the person you are concerned. If they are not at immediate risk, encourage them to get support and consider helping them to make the initial contact.
- Time to Talk. Too many people can be left in situations where they feel isolated, ashamed and worthless. Time to Change is a movement that seeks to challenge this. They believe by joining together, we can make sure that more people are open to talking and listening about mental health problems than ever before.
Report
- Student Advice and Wellbeing. If they are not in immediate danger but you are still worried about them, contact the Student Advice and Wellbeing team for advice.
Get Support
- Find out what support is available if you are concerned about someone's mental wellbeing
- Take care of yourself. It’s important that you take care of yourself. If you’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling you, the University's Student Advice and Wellbeing team offers confidential help.