Wellbeing support

As well as Student Support Services, there are a number of other services and organisations out there which support your wellbeing and help with mental and emotional challenges. Take a look below at a variety of helplines, apps, websites and community groups.

Quick links

Spectrum.Life logo with '24/7 Student Support'

24/7 Student Support helpline

Students can access the free 24/7 student support helpline from Spectrum.Life for emotional wellbeing support.

How to access the student support helpline:

  • Call 0800 031 8227 (freephone UK) or 00353 1 518 0277 (international).
  • Arrange a call back via WhatsApp by texting 'Hi' to 07418 360 780.
  • Sign up for Spectrum.Life to arrange a call through their live chat (organisation code: Stirling).
Find out more about Spectrum.Life

Looking after your mental health

Visit our SharePoint site developed by the Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing team for resources related to wellbeing – including a wide variety of videos.

Every Mind Matters

Do you want to take control and improve your well-being? Do you want to make small changes that bring big benefits? If so than the NHS Every Mind Matters tool is for you.

Complete the interactive quiz for your body or for your mind and when completed it will give you individualised self-help information. This information is accessible as an app, a video or as written guidance/advice. You can take the quiz as many times as you need to.

Start improving your well-being today.

Together Let’s Care for Your Mental Health

The Together Let’s Care for Your Mental Health campaign aims to raise awareness of a range of mental health information, and services that support mental health. Under the banner 'Together Let's Care for your Mental Health' partners are able to signpost to a range of digital self-help guides and options for further support. Additional information is also available for a range of day to day concerns such as anxiety, depression, young people's mental health needs, alcohol, gambling and drug use.

Helplines

There are a host of excellent services available if you need to talk to someone about matters of mental health or emotional wellbeing. Each of the helplines listed will connect you directly with professionals who can offer confidential support around the clock, and we recommend them as a first port of call whether you feel like you’ve reached a crisis point or just need someone to talk to.

Breathing Space

Phone: 0800 83 85 87

Breathing Space are a free, confidential phone service for anyone in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.

Mind

Phone: 0300 123 3393

Mind provide advice and support to empower you if you are experiencing a mental health problem. Text 86463.

Samaritans

Phone: 116 123

Samaritans can offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like about whatever’s getting to you – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

If you’re out of the UK you can also contact them via email on jo@samaritans.org although the response may take a little longer.

Shout Crisis Manager

Text ‘Shout’ to 85258

Free 24/7 text service that provides an anonymous conversation for anyone in crisis. Offers a safe space where you are listened to by a trained Crisis volunteer.

Stirling Nightline

A confidential and anonymous listening service for students, run by the Stirling Students' Union. The instant messaging support service is open from 11pm – 2am, Thursday to Monday.

Websites

The websites below provide lots of information on issues such as anxiety, drug abuse, self-harm and depression. Each site brings together in-depth expertise in a specific area and lets you connect with professional carers and counsellors.

Anxiety UK

National charity for those affected by anxiety, offering lots of helpful information and support resources.

Boys in Mind (BiM)

BiM is charitable alliance of health and education professionals working in partnership with children and young people to empower them, particularly boys and young men, to talk about their emotions and express their vulnerability in a safe and healthy manner. Visit their website for films, blogs and podcasts.

Circle Scotland

Circle engages with families who face exclusion due to social injustice, poverty and health inequalities.

Cruse Bereavement

Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland (CBCS) exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people in Scotland.

Daylight

Digital therapy in the form of a mobile app is now available for people in Forth Valley who are experiencing symptoms of worry and anxiety.

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs

The charity works with anyone 16+ throughout Forth Valley, and nationally, who is concerned about someone else's alcohol or drug use. Both one-to-one and group support is available.

Students Against Depression

Information and resources validated by health professionals alongside tips and advice from students who have experienced it themselves.

Mind – student mental health hub

The Mind student mental health hub is a resource to inform and support all students. Filled with tips, tools and information on how to cope with the challenges of student life.

Mind to Mind - NHS Inform

Through a series of short videos, discover how others manage their mental wellbeing.

Victim Support

An independent charity, they provide support and information to people affected by crime and campaign for victim and witness rights. Regardless of whether a crime has been reported or when it happened, there services are free, confidential and tailored to individuals’ needs.

The Art Collection

The Art Collection is committed to supporting our students and staff by providing a welcoming environment with opportunities to meet others and engage in activities to promote wellbeing.

Read more about Art Collection activities

Mobile apps

We’ve put together a list of apps designed to help you with a variety of mental health and emotional wellbeing issues. Apps are a great resource for ensuring help is always at hand, such as if you are out of the UK in another time zone, and they can provide useful prompts and reminders that encourage you to take time out or keep track of how you’re doing.

List of mobile apps

List of mobile apps
Column one lists app names, column two provides links to the app, column three lists the cost of the app and column four describes the app
App name Platform Cost Summary
Be Mindful   £30

An online course to help reduce stress and anxiety using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

Beat Panic

  £0.99

Overcome panic attacks and anxiety wherever you happen to be.

BlueIce

  Free

This app helps young people manage their emotions and reduce urges to self-harm.

Breathe 2 Relax iOS Free Learn the stress management skill of diaphragmatic breathing. 
Buddhify: Mindful Meditation  iOS/Android  Paid  Easy-to-follow guided meditations. 
Calm  iOS/Android  Free (with in-app purchases)  Mindfulness and guided meditation app. 
Calm Harm   Free

Reduce urges to self-harm and manage emotions in a more positive way.

Catch It   Free

Learn to manage negative thoughts and look at problems differently.

Chill Panda

  Free

Use breathing techniques to help you relax more, worry less and feel better. 

Cove   Free

Create music to reflect emotions like joy, sadness and anger to help express how you feel.

Deep Sleep with Andrew Johnson  iOS/Android  Paid  Relaxing guided meditation. 

distrACT

  Free

Quick and discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

eQuoo: Emotional Fitness Game  

Free, with in-app purchases

Use adventure games designed by psychologists to help you increase your emotional fitness.

Headspace  iOS/Android  Free (with in-app purchases) Guided meditation and mindfulness. 
Insight Timer  iOS/Android  Free (with in-app purchases) Guided meditations. 
iSleep Easy: Meditations for Restful Sleep  iOS/Android  Paid  A wide variety of guided meditations. 
Mindshift  iOS/Android  Free  Designed to help teens and young adults cope with anxiety. 
Panic Attack Aid and Panic Attack Aid Lite  Android  Paid (Lite version free)  Designed to bring calming relief to panic attack sufferers. 
Rise Up + Recover Android Free An eating disorder monitoring and management tool. 

SilverCloud

 

Free

An eight-week course to help you manage stress, anxiety and depression at your own pace.

Sleepio

 

Free in some areas

An online sleep improvement programme, clinically proven to help you fall asleep faster.

Sleepstation

  Free with GP referral

Connect with a team of sleep experts to help you fall asleep or stay asleep through the night.

Spectrum.Life's 24/7 Student Support Helpline   Free 24/7 emotional wellbeing support available 365 days a year.
Stay Alive iOS/Android Free Pocket suicide prevention resource

Stress & Anxiety Companion

 

Free (with in-app purchases)

Breathing exercises, relaxing music and games to help calm your mind and change negative thoughts.

Student Health App

  Free Reduce your worries, feel more confident and get the health information you need as a student.
What's Up? – A Mental Health App iOS/Android Free (with in-app purchases)  An aid for coping with depression, anxiety, anger and stress.
Relax with Andrew Johnson  iOS/Android  Paid  Unwind and de-stress with relaxation techniques. 
Thrive   Free

Use games to track your mood and teach yourself methods to take control of stress and anxiety.

Be Active

Physical activity is a great way to de-stress and can have a positive effect on your mental health. From organised and recreational sport to health and fitness classes, the University has something for students of all abilities and experience. With the launch of a brand new Sport app and new £20m sports facilities soon to open, it’s never been a better time to get involved!

Find out more about our sport, health and wellbeing services