Wellbeing

Helplines, resources and charities to help you manage your wellbeing

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Urgent Help

Student Specific Resources

Support Within EUOC

Counselling

General Mental Health Support

Anxiety

Stress

Financial Problems

Eating Disorders

Depression

Suicide

LGBTQI+

Abuse

RED-S

Introduction

This page has helplines, resources and charities which all specialise in dealing with mental health and other wellbeing issues. Asking for help is brave, and sometimes it can be overwhelming finding the support you need. Well done for taking this step, we’re proud of you. We have split up resources into categories to help you find what you’re looking for, however if you still need some help in getting started please feel free to message our Wellbeing & Inclusion Officer who would happily chat through your options in a sign-posting manner.

Are you in need of urgent help?

If you feel that you are a danger to yourself or you can’t cope any longer, you should seek help straight away. Go to your nearest A&E department or call 999. You deserve immediate help so the emergency services are here to help you.

If you need immediate support but don’t want to visit A&E, you can call the following 24hr emergency services:

  • NHS 24 – call 111
  • Mental Health Assessment Service (MHAS) – call 0131 286 8137
    • This is a nurse-led emergency service in Edinburgh
  • Edinburgh Crisis Centre – call 0808 801 0414

Listening Services:

If you need to speak to someone quickly, you can call a helpline/listening service. They support you without judgment. Here are some services that are here to listen:

  • Samaritans National Line – call 116 123 (available 24/7)
  • Breathing Space Helpline – call 0800 83 85 87 (available 6pm-2am daily)

Support Within EUOC

Wellbeing & Inclusion Officer

This years Wellbeing & Inclusion Officer is Rachel, and she is EUOC’s first point of contact for any mental health/inclusion concerns.

If you need any support from Rachel then send her an email at wellbeing.inclusion.euoc@gmail.com , or speak to her at training/socials!

Mental Health First Aider

Kat (she/her) is a Mental Health First Aider who is happy to talk to any EUOC members about any mental health struggles/concerns they are having. She will deal with this in a confidential and discrete manner, and is able to support you and signpost you to appropriate services. Equally if you are worried about others within the club then do give her a message/have a chat at any EUOC activities.

Either give Kat a message on Facebook or email her at secretary.euoc@gmail.com

Committee

Additionally, any committee members are happy to offer you support in any way possible. We all experience life & uni stress, so will be able to listen and empathise with your experiences. Please always reach out to someone, no problem is too silly.

Student Specific Resources

Edinburgh University Student’s Association (EUSA):

EUSA has a section on their website called “The Advice Place”: https://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/adviceplace

Here is an extensive site for resources addressing issues run by a team of professionally trained advisors here to support Edinburgh students. You can speak directly to an advisor by calling 0131 374 4581, or emailing advice@eusa.ed.ac.uk

Support is given in the following areas:

  • Academic
  • Accommodation
  • Complaints & Conduct
  • Harassment, Safety & Crime
  • Money
  • Wellbeing

TogetherAll:

This is an online mental health & wellbeing service offering self-help programmes, creative outlets and a peer support community monitored by mental health professionals. This is available 24/7 to students and for FREE when you sign up with your ed.ac.uk email address.

It is a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself and learn how to manage your mental health.

https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-counselling/self-help/togetherall

Feeling Good App:

This can reduce stress, depression & anxiety, and can calm the body and mind. The app is free to all students, and provides positive mental health training through a self-help programme.

Homepage

Counselling

Being able to afford therapy is a privilege. Here are a couple places you can look if you need support in getting the help you deserve.

PF Counselling:

Anyone over age 18 is welcome at PF counselling, regardless of your ability to pay. They do ask clients to make a regular donation if you are able to do so. Some people donate £5, some can afford the full price of £50 per session, but it is based on what you can afford.

Your initial appointment will be within around 4-6 weeks of them receiving your request form (found on their website). They offer 12 sessions initially.

Counselling is for everyone: depression, anxiety, stress, self-confidence, abuse, difficulties in relationships etc.

Helping You with Counselling

Joshua Nolan Foundation:

This foundation works with therapists that are trained to save children and adult lives. They support anyone, regardless of age/gender, in Scotland with their 1-1 therapy service. Due to COVID-19, many of their services are available online. The charity funds up to 80% of the costs for up to 10 sessions.

Joshua Nolan Foundation

General Mental Health Support

GP:

CALM:

CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably. It is a charity providing a mental health helpline and webchat.

Mental Health Foundation:

Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

www.mentalhealth.org.uk

MIND:

Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.

  • Phone: 0300 772 9844 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
  • Website: www.mind.org.uk

Rethink Mental Illness:

A charity which gives support and advice for people living with mental illness.

  • Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30 to 4pm)
  • Website: www.rethink.org

Anxiety

Anxiety UK:

A charity providing support for those with an anxiety condition.

No Panic:

A voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Anxiety Self-Help Guide:

The NHS has created a 30 minute online self-help guide which aims to help you to:

  • Find out if you have symptoms of anxiety
  • Understand more about anxiety
  • Find ways to manage or overcome anxiety

This is for those with general anxiety symptoms (mild-to-moderate)

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/mental-health-self-help-guides/anxiety-self-help-guide

Stress

https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/stress/struggling-with-stress

Financial Problems

https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/stress/coping-with-money-worries

Eating Disorders

Anorexia & Bulimia Care (ABC):

ABC is a UK organisation which provides on-going care, emotional support and practical guidance for anyone affected by eating disorders and eating distress. Their phone/email helplines & other support services are available to those struggling personally, their family, carers and friends.

Helpline;

  • 03000 11 12 13 (Wednesday/Thursday/Friday 9am-1pm & 2pm-5pm)
  • For discussing issues around food, eating and the reasons why you have developed disordered eating or an eating disorder.

Pip’s Place Online;

  • This is a weekly, recovery-centred, online support hub, running every Tuesday 9am-4pm. It offers 1:1 appointments over zoom with a member from the support team, and online support groups for individuals and family/friends. Appointments are 40 minutes long.

Beat:

A charity which offers information and advice on eating disorders, and runs an online supportive community.

Information they can provide includes:

  • Different types of eating disorder
  • How to tell someone about your eating disorder
  • How to get treatment
  • How to approach an appointment with a GP
  • Early signs of an eating disorder
  • Supporting those who are worried about others having an eating disorder

Depression

Students Against Depression:

This is a website offering advice, information, guidance and resources to those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking. It is a website run by students, for students, supplemented by clinically-validated information & resources.

HOME

NHS Depression Self-Help Guide:

The NHS has created a 30 minute online self-help guide which aims to help you:

  • Find out if you have symptoms of depression
  • Understand more about depression
  • Find ways to manage or overcome depression.

It is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which helps you to challenge negative thoughts to free yourself from unhelpful thought & behaviour patterns.

Depression self-help guide

Suicide

Charities such as CALM and Mind previously mentioned on this page are useful for suicide support.

PAPYRUS:

This is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. They provide confidentional support & advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINEUK.

  • Website: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
  • Phone 0800 068 4141 (9am-midnight, every day of the year)
  • Text 07860039967 (9am-midnight, every day of the year)
  • Email pat@papyrus-uk.org

Shout:

A free UK 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. If you don’t want to speak on the phone but need immediate help then this is a great solution.

Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258.

Website: https://giveusashout.org/

LGBTQI+

LGBT Health:

Provides confidential counselling and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) sessions to any person who identifies as LGBTQ+. This is a donation only service.

Trans Mindline+:

Free, confidential support for those questioning their gender identity, transitioning or friends/family/caring for someone who is.

Gay and Lesbian Switchboard:

Free, confidential listening space for all LGBTQ+ folks. An online chat function can be used.

Abuse

Refuge:

Provides specialist support to women, children and some men escaping domestic violence and other forms of violence.

Refuge’s specialist services include refuges, independent advocacy, community outreach projects, culturally specific services and the 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline.

RED-S

What is RED-S?

  • RED-S = Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport
  • This s a condition of energy deficiency which means energy input isn’t meeting the energy demands of the body – this can be due to insufficient fuelling or excessive training. RED-S effects all body systems (see images) and affects all genders, ages and abilities.
  • RED-S can be voluntary (a conscious decision to restrict dietary intake) or involuntary (not realising how much fuel is needed, often as the athlete fails to appreciate the metabolic demands of daily life, such as commuting, working, studying).

What is the difference between RED-S and Overtraining Syndrome?

  • Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) = prolonged fatigue and under-performance when recovery from training is inadequate for a long period of time. A recent literature review has concluded that many cases of OTS are actually misdiagnosed RED-S.
  • This link has some information about how to recognise the difference between RED-S and OTS: http://health4performance.co.uk/how-to-distinguish…/

What are the Symptoms of RED-S?

Physiological:

  • Reproductive health – lack of 3 consecutive periods or change in menstrual function in females or a decline in morning erectile function in males.
  • Poor development of muscle mass.
  • Difficulties staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
  • Constipation or feeling bloated.
  • Fatigue.
  • Stress fractures.
  • Significant weight loss.
  • Depressed immune system.
  • Dental and gum problems.

Behavioural:

  • Pre-occupation and constantly talking about food.
  • Poor sleep patterns.
  • Restriction or strict control of food intake.
  • Becoming withdrawn or reclusive.
  • Anxiety.
  • Irritable.

Performance:

  • Poor recovery between training sessions.
  • Decreased training response.
  • Decreased endurance performance.

This is not an exhaustive list!

I think I have RED-S, what should I do?

  • Go to your GP with all your symptoms written down. RED-S at this point in time is a diagnosis of exclusion so your doctor will need to do investigations to ensure there are no other issues going on. Many symptoms are similar to Lyme’s disease so push to get tested for this. Also inform them of how much exercise you are doing. RED-S is a relatively new concept (established in 2014) so doctors might not be aware of it, hence why you might need to suggest it to them.
  • Give yourself a chance to process this, it can be difficult to handle.
  • Watch the recording of our talk with Renee from last year, it delves into a lot of really helpful points: https://www.facebook.com/events/3650404615086415/…

I’m worried about a friend, what should I do?

  • Recognising these symptoms in a friend can be difficult to deal with. It is hard to know what to say, when to say it – often this leads to us saying nothing at all cause it’s easier. However sometimes these things are easier to recognise from an outside perspective, so if you are concerned it is important to reach out.
  • Here is a website page which has information on how to raise these topics to friends/family: http://health4performance.co.uk/parents-friends/

Where can I find out about other people’s experiences?

Resources: