As well as Student Support Services offering Stress Control, Café Connect and Wellbeing Drop In’s on Campus, there are a number of other services and organisations out there which support your
Stress Control sessions
Student Support Services in partnership with the Students’ Union and Faculties are now offering free Stress Control sessions.
What?
- A series of classes and groups to help you control your stress which includes anxiety, depression, panic, insomnia, low self-confidence, irritability and anger, drinking and using drugs to excess, and burnout.
- There is no discussion of personal problems in the classes and groups. This means you can attend without concerns if you feel uncomfortable talking in front of others.
- Classes and groups use cognitive-behavioural techniques to reduce stress by teaching better coping strategies.
- Classes and groups normally last around 90 minutes including a 10 minute break.
- Classes and groups are free to attend.
When? Where? How?
Weekly classes are running all year round in different venues. Find details and book on to a block here.
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
Coming in March 2020 – tune into this site, Student Services Hub social media and plasma ads for details.
Wellbeing drop in
Wellbeing is concerned with every aspect of your life – home life, social life and your studies. Your physical and mental wellbeing are both important to ensure you get the most out of your life at University and beyond. What you eat and drink, how you sleep, how you feel about your studies, social connection, exercise and relaxation will all influence your overall wellbeing. Even a single small change in just one area can improve your health and wellbeing and Student Support Services can help you to make these small changes.
What do we offer?
We offer 30 minute appointments with our Assistant Wellbeing Advisor where you can explore ways to stay well, keeping your mind healthy, stay active and balance this with relaxation. And if you need it, we can help you access other services and support so that you can thrive in every area of your life.
When?
Appointments take place in Cottrell Building, Monda to Friday during the semester starting from March 2nd at the following times:
Monday 2pm – 3.30 pm
Tuesday 10.30 am – 12 pm
Wednesday 10.30 am – 12 pm
Thursday 2 pm – 3.30 pm
Friday 2 pm – 3.30 pm
How do I make an appointment?
Just visit the Student Services Hub, call on 01786 466022 or email ask@stir.ac.uk and one of the team will make an appointment for you.
Community Wellbeing groups
Boost your mental and physical wellbeing and reconnect with nature in Pathfoot Courtyard Garden
Several research studies over the past ten years have demonstrated the health and wellbeing benefits for those involved in community gardening and horticultural projects. These include improvement in self-esteem and reductions in tension, depression and anxiety as well as boosting mindfulness and nurturing skills!
What?
The Art Collection and The Conservation Volunteers Scotland are offering places on our new gardening initiative. The aim is to increase participant’s contact with plants and the natural environment to improve physical health and mental wellbeing.
When?
This drop in club will be held in the Pathfoot Building and Courtyard Garden on Thursdays between 11am and 2pm (semester time only and excluding week).
How do I get involved?
If you are 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 then please come along any time during the drop-in
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.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 in the Storm | iOS | Free | Reduce, manage, and learn about stress in your life. |
| Deep Sleep with Andrew Johnson | iOS/Android | Paid | Relaxing guided meditation. |
| Elefriends | iOS/Android | Free | A supportive online community. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Stay Alive | iOS/Android | Free | Pocket suicide prevention resource |
| 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. |
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