This University Mental Health Day, make a positive change to your mental health

UCL Student Support and Wellbeing are committed to helping you to reach your full potential by supporting you with our services and helping you look after your own health and wellbeing. This University Mental Health Day, we’ve put together a quick recap of some of the main mental health and wellbeing support services you can access.

Mental health and wellbeing services available to UCL students

Our Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing team are here to support you through same-day and pre-booked appointments to give you support and advice online and by telephone. They can help you to find solutions to any difficulties that are having an impact on you and your studies. 

Student Psychological and Counselling Services (SPCS) supports students with personal, emotional and psychological concerns. They support UCL students through free counselling in the form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy. 

UCL students can access confidential emotional support, advice, and information through UCL's 24/7 Student Support Line.  

Mental health resources and apps

We’ve put together extensive information and guidance to support you to take care of your mental health and wellbeing. 

Our resources cover the following topics:

• Stress, anxiety and depression
• Mindfulness
• Sleep
• Support for self-harm
• Support for drug and alcohol misuse or addiction
• Support for bereavement

There are also lots of free apps and interactive resources out there to help you look after your mind, including WellMind (an app from the NHS which allows you to monitor your mood, get crisis help and use relaxation audio tracks, downloadable for Android and iOS) and Student Health App (information tailored to UCL students about mental health and wellbeing). Check out what else is out there on our general mental health and wellbeing resources page.

The UCLcares blog brings together student, staff and alumni contributors writing on all things wellbeing. Whether you’re interested in creating some positive habits, learning how to stop doomscrolling or manage screen fatigue, we’ve got articles to support you. 

Three healthy habits you can start this University Mental Health Day

Self-care means taking care of yourself and refilling your energy tank to enable you to stay healthy and resilient. In our busy lives, it can be hard sometimes to take a moment to do something just for yourself, to look after your mind and body. It’s essential to make time and space in your life to regularly practice self-care, so here are three habits you could try to integrate into your day-to-day life, if you’re not already doing them! 

1. Make time for yourself 
   Studying for 12 hours a day might sound good, but really, all it will do is contribute to burnout later down the line. So, try to make time for yourself, whether that’s only working in the week between 9 and 5 or being strict with your boundaries between your studies and everything else going on in your life. 
2. Put in some time for sleep hygiene
   If it’s taking you a long time to fall asleep, try to start winding down for bed a bit earlier. Are there some things that make you feel sleepy? Perhaps reading a book, having a cup of tea, listening to some music or a podcast could help. Try some different things until you find out what helps you relax and get ready for sleep. 
3. Get out and about, however and whenever you can!
   Yes, we are in the midst of a pandemic but you can still get moving. Staying in the same room or house can definitely get boring and it’s easy to feel cooped up or a bit lethargic. Try to get yourself moving in a way that works for you. Some fresh air on a walk around your local area is always a good idea.