Help Lines and Listening Services
Samaritans are a free service that you can call, email, and chat with anytime day or night. If you need someone to talk to, call 116 123.
London Nightline is an anonymous listening & information service run by students, for students. It provides emotional support to students in distress. Their phones are manned from 18.00 to 08.00 during term time: 020 7631 010 or via email: listening@nightline.org.uk
If you are registered with a GP you can contact your local Crisis Team who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are registered with Holborn Medical Centre your Crisis Team contact number is 020 3317 6777. If you are registered elsewhere, please contact your GP for further details.
Additionally, the following resources are also there to support you:
- Papyrus (Support line for those who are experiencing thoughts of no longer wanting to live)
- Self-Injury Support (Helpline for women affected by self-injury)
- CALM (Helpline for men experiencing emotional distress)
- BEAT (Helpline for those experiencing eating disorders)
- Switchboard (Helpline for those identifying as LGBT+)
- We Are With You (Provides information and guidance on drug and alcohol use)
- NHS Gender Identity Support (Information for those questioning their gender identity)
Tips on Staying Healthy and Happy
- Keep active – read here about the top 10 benefits of regular physical activity.
- Eat well – a well-balanced, healthy diet is at the core of wellbeing.
- Drink plenty of water – It is recommended to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. Read here for 12 simple ways to drink more water.
- Keep in touch with friends and loved ones.
- Do something meaningful each day – do something you enjoy every day, even if it is something as simple as cooking a nutritious meal or listening to your favourite song or podcast. Follow this link for 8 ways to make your day more meaningful.
- Be kind to yourself, take time out of your day to relax, unwind and do the things that make you happy!
- Ask for help when needed – contact us at Student Support.
- Get enough sleep – aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. A good sleep routine can help to improve your memory and concentration, boost your immune system, and help you cope with stress more easily.
We strongly recommend that you register with a local doctor within two weeks of arrival for the duration of your course.
You can find your nearest GP through the NHS Find a GP website. You can only be registered with one GP at a time, but if you would like to switch practices, the student support adviser will help you do this.
You can find your nearest Dentist through the NHS Find a Dentist website.
To find your local sexual health clinic, visit the find a sexual health clinic website.
Other useful sites relating to sexual health include:
Apply for a HC2 certificate
As a student, you may be eligible to apply for the NHS low-income scheme and receive a HC2 certificate for financial help with health costs.
NUSU London Welfare Officer & NUSU London Diversity Officer
The NUSU London Welfare Officer & NUSU London Diversity Officer are elected students who act as a focal point for pastoral issues within the student community.
The SUWO and DO are available to listen to, and support students who wish to discuss issues external to their programme of study, which may be negatively affecting their College experience or academic performance. The SUWO and DO can provide impartial advice and access the resources available on matters such as health, a family crisis, a disagreement or settling into university life.