Many students experience difficulties during their studies, for many different reasons. Your students’ union or student representative body is often a good source of advice and may be able to direct you to further support, and your provider is likely to have advice/wellbeing services that may be able to help.
The cost of living crisis is causing financial difficulties and considerable anxiety and stress for many students. We encourage you to seek support if you need it.
On this page we include information on some external sources of support on various issues that you may find helpful.
Support organisations
Emergency Services
Call: 999 or 111 (select option 2 to access urgent mental health support in Wales)
NHS urgent mental health helplines
For people of all ages in England
Website: www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline
Shout
The UK's free, confidential and 24/7 mental health text service for crisis support
Text: “SHOUT” to 85258 (UK-wide) 24/7 Free text messaging service | Website: www.giveusashout.org
Samaritans
Provide emotional support for people 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They allow people to talk about feelings of distress and despair, are confidential and offer non-judgmental support.
Call: 116 123 (Free phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) | Email: jo@samaritans.org | Website: www.samaritans.org
Mind Infoline
Information on types of mental health issues, where to get help, medication and alternative treatments and advocacy.
Call: 0300 123 3393 (Local phone rates, 9am-6pm, Mon-Fri) | Text: 86463 | Email: info@mind.org.uk | Website: www.mind.org.uk
Money Helper
A free government-backed service offering impartial guidance and a live chat facility.
Website: www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
Blackbullion
Guidance on financial planning for students.
Email: support@blackbullion.com | Website: www.blackbullion.com
StepChange
Guidance for students in debt, an interactive ‘how can we help you’, online debt advice and a free helpline.
Website: https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/student-debt-help.aspx
Call: 0800 138 1111 (8am to 8pm, Monday-Saturday)
Citizens Advice
Free, independent information and advice for people on money, legal, consumer, housing and other problems.
Call: England Advice line: 0800 144 8848 | Wales Advice link: 0800 702 2020 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday) | Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Rape Crisis
Supports anyone who has experienced rape, child sexual abuse and/or any other kind of sexual violence. Runs local helplines and centres across England and Wales.
Call: 0808 500 2222 (available 24/7) | Website: www.247sexualabusesupport.org.uk
Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC)
Sexual assault referral centres offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been sexually assaulted or raped. They have specially trained paediatrician / Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNE) and support workers to care for you.
Find a rape and sexual assault referral centre - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Survivors UK
Provides counselling, therapy and online support for male, trans and non-binary students and those who have identified as make in the past and experience sexual violence or abuse. You can speak to a trained adviser in confidence via SMS text or via individual web chat.
Call: 020 3598 3898 | Email: help@survivorsuk.org | Website: www.survivorsuk.org
Galop
Galop provides advocacy, advice and emotional support for those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans, and have been affected by hate crime, sexual violence, domestic abuse, or issues with the police.
Call: 0800 999 5428 | Email: help@galop.org.uk | Website: galop.org.uk
Victim Support
Supports people affected by crime or traumatic events. Confidential free helpline for anyone affected by crime as well as emotional and practical support, including advice on legal proceedings.
Call: 08081689111 (open 24/7) | Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Chasing the stigma | Hub of Hope
Mental health support database provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma. Bringing together local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place.
Website: www.hubofhope.co.uk
Citizens Advice
Free, independent information and advice for people on money, legal, consumer, housing and other problems.
Call: England Advice line: 0800 144 8848 | Wales Advice link: 0800 702 2020 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) | Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Gov.uk
Information on all government services, including money, tax, benefits, disability, employment and carers rights.
Website: www.gov.uk