Mental health and wellbeing.

The Mental Wellbeing team includes trained mental health professionals and counsellors who are here to help you look after your mental health.

They offer a confidential service by email, phone, video conferencing and face-to-face to help you with accessing:

• Specialist mentoring to support you throughout your studies (through the Disabled Students’ Allowance)
• Mental health advice - time-limited one-to-one support when needed.
• Short-term counselling – up to 5/6 sessions.
• Relevant NHS services and signposting to useful local support services.
• A range of face-to-face and online workshops, events and support groups.

We advise all students to register with a GP locally, as they’re an important gateway for accessing formal support and treatment for mental health issues.

The Mental Wellbeing team can’t provide medical treatment and diagnosis, but they work alongside local NHS teams, when needed, to support you with your studies.

You can contact them via:

• An online registration form
• Email mentalwellbeing@canterbury.ac.uk.
• Virtual Drop-ins, from Monday- Friday, between 12 noon and 1pm, via Blackboard
• Face-to-face drop-ins every Wednesday 2-4pm, Augustine House and every Thursday 1-2pm, Medway.

The  University Chaplaincy offers a confidential listening service in a safe space where you can talk through any problems in a non-judgmental environment.

You can contact them by email:  chaplaincy@canterbury.ac.uk

Togetherall  is a free, national 24/7 online service. It’s a safe and anonymous space you can visit if you’re feeling down, struggling to cope or just want to talk to people who understand what you’re going through. Whether you want to speak to peers or a counsellor, there will be someone there every minute of every day.

Signing up is easy – go to www.togetherall.com and use your university email address to join. The email address is only used to confirm you have free access and then you pick an anonymous username, so everything remains completely confidential.

The Mental Wellbeing team provides a flexible service to meet your individual needs and is available out of hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (5-7pm) as well as other times when required.  

Please email mentalwellbeing@canterbury.ac.uk during this time if you need to talk through concerns regarding your mental health and how this is impacting your academic work. Our practitioners will respond to your email and can offer phone calls, video contact or face-to-face contact if required.

• If you want to talk to someone straightaway or out of hours, you can contact: Togetherall  -  a free 24/7 online confidential support service.
• The Samaritans: call 116 123 for confidential, emotional support 24/7 or email jo@samaritans.org
• 24/7 Mental Health Matters Helpline: call 0800 107 0160 for confidential, emotional support and guidance. They also have details of local and national support services.
• Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text-messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Please text SHOUT to 85258 or visit https://giveusashout.org/ for information.

Kent Safe Havens

Kent Safe Havens offer free mental health support in a safe, comfortable and supportive environment every night from 6pm-11pm.

They have locations in Canterbury, Maidstone, Medway and Thanet. There’s no need to be referred, they’re open every night for face-to-face, telephone or virtual support.

• Canterbury: 07876 476703 (6pm-11pm), Age UK, The Centre, Castle Row, CT1 2QY
• Medway: 07850 901151 (6pm-11pm), Age UK, Mackenney Centre, Woodlands Road, Gillingham, ME7 2BX
• Maidstone: 07484 061684 (6pm-11pm), Mid Kent Mind, 23 College Road, ME15 6YH
• Thanet: 07850 655877 (6pm-11pm), Holy Trinity Church, St Marys Avenue, Dane Valley, Margate, CT9 3TN

Working with the NHS, we offer online self-help guides covering different topics including bereavement, stress, depression and sleeping problems

If you are registered to a GP you can access NHS psychological therapies (IAPT) services direct including:

• talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, other therapies, and guided self-help.
• help for common mental health problems, like anxiety and depression.

To find an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT) click here. 

Some local IAPT providers include:

• University Medical Centre (covering Canterbury and Coastal and Ashford)

• We are with you (covering Canterbury and Coastal, Maidstone and West Kent)

• Insight Healthcare  (covering East Kent, Shepway and Swale, Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley)

• Medway Talking Therapies (covering the Medway towns)

If you feel you’re a risk to yourself or another person:

• Contact the emergency services on 999 if you feel you need support from the police or ambulance service.
• Also contact University Security on 01227 922 111.

COVID-19 is having an impact on everyone’s daily lives. During this time you may feel low, worried, anxious, or be concerned about your health or that of those close to you. These are all common reactions to the uncertain times we face.

Student Space is here to provide you with direct support and resources to navigate university life during the pandemic. You can also access one-to-one support for whatever challenge you’re facing at this time. 

Our Mental Health Team also recommend having a look through this free e-book, written by Dr Emma Hepburn. It provides some great advice on ways to cope during a global pandemic.