Supporting others

It can be tough seeing one of your family members or friends having struggles with their mental health.

All you want to do is help them, but it can be hard to know what to do, when, or how to start a conversation on the subject. The main thing is to let them know you are there and to help them get the support they need. Below are some tips on how you can help.

How do I start a conversation?

If you feel comfortable and ready to have a conversation, it's important to be prepared. Start by considering 'when, where and what':

WHEN should I approach them and start a conversation?
WHERE should I have this conversation?
WHAT am I going to say?

Don't force any conversation – just be prepared to LISTEN and SUPPORT.

If you need more guidance, the charity Student Minds provides help for students who are struggling with their mental health. Check out their guide on how to start a conversation here.

Looking after yourself

While you may be focused on helping your friend or family member get the help they need, you need to look after yourself too. Remember that self-care is important and you need to ensure your own wellbeing as much as those you care about.

Think about what makes YOU happy – whether that's going for a run, walking the dog, chilling out with a movie or taking a hot bath. Make sure you take time out for yourself every day.

If you need more information on looking after your own wellbeing, take a look at the Student Minds website.

Finding support

If your friend or family member has been diagnosed with a mental illness, or if you are concerned they are showing symptoms of a particular condition, you can help a lot by learning more about what they are going through.

Even so, be cautious about 'labelling' them – try to keep an open mind about their behaviours and underlying causes. It's not a good idea to self-diagnose, so refer back to the tips above about how best to have a conversation and encourage them to get professional support.

Further guidance about helping a friend with specific issues can be found on the Student Minds website here.

Support at UCB

Every student at UCB has access to free and confidential support through our dedicated Health and Wellbeing Service. We provide mental health and wellbeing advice, counselling, group therapy and workshops.

If your family member or friend is studying at UCB and feels comfortable to access support through us, encourage them to do so. They can refer themselves to the service via our student portal here.

Other support

Alternatively, ANYONE can seek mental health and wellbeing support through their GP. If you're worried about your own mental health, or the student you're supporting would prefer to speak to their own GP, that's OK. There is also a variety of support services available throughout the UK – find out more on our Support Resources page <LINK TO BE BUILT ONCE PAGE AVAILABLE>.

The Samaritans also provide a free service where you can talk to someone in your own way, at any time, about anything that may be affecting you. You can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 – lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Alternatively, you can send an email to jo@samaritans.org.

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