Please note that this page contains information that some people may find distressing or triggering, including mention of sexual violence, domestic abuse, self-harm, and suicide. If you are looking for something specific and would prefer to contact us for guidance, please email us at strathunion.advice@strath.ac.uk
1 in 4 people in the UK are affected at some point in their life by mental illness. This can range from mild anxiety and low mood all the way to disorders such as bipolar, schizophrenia and eating disorders. Increasingly, students are more at risk of being affected by mental health problems during their studies.
If we could give one piece of advice to anyone struggling or worried about their own mental health or the mental health of someone they know, then it would be to tell someone. A friend, a lecturer, an adviser, your doctor… talking about it is the starting point for accessing support and treatment if necessary.
There’s lots of different signs that you might be experiencing low mood or depression, including tiredness, anger, lack of concentration, sadness, and a lot more besides. The NHS website has a self-assessment quiz is one of the best places to start with identifying symptoms you may have, though, of course, you may experience all or just some of the ones they list. There are pages for disorders across the whole spectrum there as well.
If you are looking for someone to talk to, are experiencing distress, despair, or thoughts of suicide, we would encourage you to contact Samaritans urgently for free 24/7 on 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org.
If you are at risk of harm, please phone NHS 24 for free on 111. If you are at immediate risk of harm to yourself or anyone else, please contact emergency services on 999.
Student Counselling
Private Counselling
Other Support
Student Counselling
The University offers person-centred counselling support to students through one-to-one sessions, workshops, and through self-help resources depending on what style of support helps you.
Counselling offers students that are struggling the time and space that they may need to focus and talk about things that are concerning them or that they are struggling with and helps them to find ways of improving their situation and lives.
If you’re not sure if counselling is right for you, then it might help to explore the webpage to see if it might be a good fit for you. You can also arrange an initial appointment to discuss with a counsellor and decide between you both whether counselling is the right option for you.
During term-time you can contact 0141 548 3510 or email disability-wellbeing@strath.ac.uk to arrange an appointment.
Private Counselling
Private counselling is available if you would prefer to see someone from outside the University. There are lots of different organisations and professionals who offer this, but there is usually a charge attached. This can vary from therapist to therapist, but is usually between £30 and £60 per session.
The Centre of Therapy and Counselling Studies offers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at a suggested donation of £5 per session if you are on a low income to see a student counsellor.
You may be looking for support that is specific to a specific issue, whether that's for yourself or to support someone you know. We have put together a list of resources below that may help you to start narrowing down where to look.
Addiction
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Drinkline
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National helpline for anyone concerned about their alcohol use or someone else's.
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0300 123 1110
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GamCare
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Information, advice, support, and free counselling for problem gambling.
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0808 802 0133
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Know the Score
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Confidential information and advice about drugs.
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0800 587 5879
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Alcohol Change
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Advice on alcohol reduction for a society that is free from the harm caused by alcohol.
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N/A
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Turning Point
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Various support services for complex and challenging needs related to addiction.
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0800 652 3757
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Scottish Drug Services
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Search engine for drug support services in Scotland.
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N/A
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Family Addiction Support Services
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Confidential support for parents and adult family members affected by or concerned about a loved one's drug or alcohol use.
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0141 420 2050
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Bereavement
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Cruse
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Support and advice including access to counselling for those experiencing bereavement.
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0845 600 2227
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Child Bereavement UK
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Supports families when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.
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0141 370 4747
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Petal
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Advice and support including access to counselling for those experiencing traumatic bereavement, including death by suicide, murder, or culpable homicide.
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01698 324 502
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Richmond's Hope
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Provides support for young people aged 4-18 years who have been bereaved.
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0141 230 6123
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Crime and Violence (inc. domestic violence)
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FearFree
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Specilist support for men and LGBT+ people experiencing domestic violence or abuse.
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N/A
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Galop
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Support for all LGBT+ people who have experienced hate crime, domestic abuse or sexual violence.
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0800 999 5428
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Hemat Gryffe
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Crisis support and general support and advice for Glasgow BME women and young people experiencing violence.
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0141 353 0859
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National Domestic Abuse Helpline/Refuge
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24 hour support for anyone experiencing or at risk of experiencing any kind of domestic violence, including coercive control.
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0808 2000 247
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Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
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Helpline supporting anyone with experience of domestic abuse or forced marriage as well as their family members, friends, colleagues, and professionals.
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0800 027 1234
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Shakti Women's Aid
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Advice and support for BME women, children and young people experiencing domestic violence, with support offered in multiple languages including Arabic, Hindi, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Swahili, and Urdu.
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0131 475 2399
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Victim Support
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Supporting people affected by crime or traumatic events, including court and trial related advice and support.
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0808 168 9111
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Debt and Money
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The Money Advice Service
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Free and impartial money advice.
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0800 138 7777
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StepChange
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Expert, tailored advice and solutions for managing problem debt.
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0800 138 1111
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Debt Support Trust
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Glasgow-based charity helping people with money and debt issues.
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0800 085 0226
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Eating Disorders
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Beat
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Support and advice for all eating disorders, with a specialist helpline for students.
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0808 801 0811
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SEED
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Support for those with or recovering from eating disorders from people with personal eating disorder experience.
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01482 718 130
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LGBTQI+ Support
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LGBT Health and Wellbeing
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Information and emotional support for LGBTQI+ people and their families and friends. Also able to offer support those who are questioning or wanting to discuss their sexuality or gender identity.
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0300 123 2523
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LGBT Youth Scotland
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Organisation working to promote the health and wellbeing of young LGBTQI+ people in Scotland.
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07786 202 370 (text only)
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Scottish Trans Alliance
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Information for transgender people, services and equality organisations to engage in improving equality in gender identity and gender reassignment.
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N/A
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Self-Harm
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National Self Harm Network
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Online forum support those who self-harm.
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N/A
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Self-Injury Support
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Self-injury support, advice and knowledge.
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0800 800 8088
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Sexual Health
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Sandyford
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Clinic for a variety of services including contraception, fertility, sexual health testing, and access to the Gender Identity clinic, the G3 Priority clinic for those involved in the commercial sex industry, and Archway for empathetic and confidential support and physical examination for anyone who has experienced rape or sexual violence in the last 7 days.
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0141 211 8130
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Sexual Health Scotland
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Resources and advice line for sexual health queries.
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0800 224 488
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Terrance Higgins Trust
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Support, advice and testing for those with or at risk of contracting HIV.
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0800 802 1221
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Stress, Anxiety, Mental Health and Emotional Support
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Anxiety UK
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Support, advice, and help accessing therapy for those experiencing anxiety or anxiety disorders.
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03444 775 774
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Lifelink
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Support and access to counselling for anyone struggling with emotional or personal issues.
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0141 552 4434
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Samaritans
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24 hour helpline support by volunteers offering emotional support for anyone experiencing distress, despair, or thoughts of suicide.
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116 123
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Scottish Association for Mental Health
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A range of support and services across different Scottish communities. Helpline offers a place to chat about mental health and ask about support for yourself or others.
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0344 800 0550
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The Spark
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Counselling and support focused on those in relationships and families.
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0808 802 2088
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Time Out Scotland
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Peer support for anyone living with a mental health condition or disorder.
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N/A
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