Wellbeing support
As well as Student Support Services, there are a number of other services and organisations out there which support your
togetherall
In addition to the range of wellbeing services available at the University, we have also partnered with togetherall to provide Stirling students with access to 24/7 online support. togehterall is a digital mental health support service which is completely anonymous – so you can express yourself freely and openly. Features include:
- Professionally trained Guides monitoring the community
- A wealth of useful resources and tailored self-help courses
- The ability to form your own groups or one-to-one chats
Find out more and join the togetherall community.
Important note: please see togetherall's privacy statement for information on how your personal information is kept secure while you are on the site. The University of Stirling is not informed by togetherall that you've signed up for the service or told about your activity on the site unless they are seriously concerned about your safety.
Café Connect
Join us for Café Connect catch-ups. Meet, greet, chat and connect. A weekly café space with a focus on wellness and self-care. Learn something new, give back, get active, have a chat and a free
Please note, this event has been postponed until further notice. Check out our online alternatives in the Be Connected calendar.
Every Mind Matters
Do you want to take control and improve your well-being? Do you want to make small changes that
Complete the interactive quiz for your body or for your mind and when completed it will give you
Start improving your well-being today.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This service resumes on 8 October 2020.
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.
Students Against Depression
Information and resources validated by health professionals alongside tips and advice from students who have experienced it themselves.
Self Harm UK
Lots of information, advice and personal stories around self- harm, particularly focused on young people.
Anxiety UK
National charity for those affected by anxiety, offering lots of helpful information and support resources.
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.
Victim Support
An independent charity, they provide support and information to people affected by crime and campaign for victim and witness
Gardening Wednesdays and Sculpture walks
Gardening Wednesdays
To support Health and Wellbeing on campus the Art Collection and Chaplaincy are hosting a drop-in gardening club. If you can spare some time between classes you're welcome to attend for
If you're interested in learning more about plants, growing something and engaging with the natural world at a pace that provides an antidote to the stresses of modern life we would love you
Dates and times for Gardening Wednesdays
Sculpture Walks
We will also be hosting sculpture walks on campus.
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.
| 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. |
|
|
Big White Wall |
Free |
Get round-the-clock support from therapists to help you cope with stress and anxiety. |
|
|
BlueIce |
Free |
This app helps young people manage their emotions and reduce urges to self-harm. |
|
| Breathe 2 Relax | iOS/Android | 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. |
|
| Calm in the Storm | iOS | Free | Reduce, manage, and learn about stress in your life. |
| 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. |
|
| Elefriends | iOS/Android | Free | A supportive online community. |
| eQuoo: Emotional Fitness Game |
Free, with in-app purchases |
Use adventure games designed by psychologists to help you increase your emotional fitness. |
|
|
Feeling Good: positive mindset |
Free, with in-app purchases |
Use audio tracks to help relax your body and mind and build your confidence. |
|
| 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. |
| Moodkit | iOS | Paid | Psychology tips and tools for everyday life. |
|
My Possible Self: The Mental Health App |
Free, with in-app purchases |
Learn how to manage fear, anxiety and stress and tackle unhelpful thinking. |
|
| 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 | iOS/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. |
|
| 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. |
| SAM: Self-help for Anxiety Management | iOS/Android | Free | Established methods of self-help in an accessible format. |
| 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
Find out more about our sport, health and wellbeing services