Wellbeing Support

We are all aware of the challenges a university environment can bring to staff and student mental health alike. Moving away from support networks for the first time, academic pressure, financial worries, rising debt and the uncertainty of the graduate job market can all trigger mental ill health or worsen existing mental health issues in students. 78% of students reported experiencing mental health issues in the last year – but less than half had sought support. Queen Mary are keen to lower this figure and want to offer early intervention to anyone developing or living with mental health issues.

At Queen Mary, you can access the following support: 

Advice and Counselling Service
Offers confidential, specialist support for a range of issues, including financial worries, emotional wellbeing, psychological health, and general welfare concerns. W: www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk / T: 020 7882 8717 / Log an enquiry on askqm.qmul.ac.uk. 

During term time the reception is open Monday to Friday from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm. The team are based on the ground floor of the Geography Building at the rear of Geography Square.

The University’s Advice and Counselling Service (ACS) has a wide range of online guidance about budgeting, council tax, disability, funding and money, immigration, personal safety, resitting/interrupting/leaving your course, students with children, working, available in the public domain. Both current and prospective students can see this information. To find out more information about a particular topic available online please go to their website https://www.qmul.ac.uk/welfare/.
If after reading the online guidance you questions, contact Advice and Counselling via AskQM to request advice from the relevant points
of contact.

Wellbeing Support
We’re here to support you with your emotional and mental wellbeing during your time at Queen Mary so you feel able to engage and enjoy your studies. Take a look at the options for support available.

Disability and Dyslexia Service     
Provides confidential advice, guidance and support for students with disabilities, including diagnosed mental health conditions, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and those who’ve experienced a mental health crisis. W: www.dds.qmul.ac.uk / T: 020 7882 2756 / E: dds@qmul.ac.uk  

The DDS is based on the third floor of the Francis Bancroft Building at the Mile End Campus (Francis Bancroft Building, room 3.06). If you think you need support, please do not hesitate to contact the Disability and Dyslexia via email.

Report + Support
Report + Support is a secure, online platform for all staff, students and visitors, who may experience or witness any incident.  It offers specialist support information and the option to make a report to Queen Mary, either anonymously, or with contact details.  This allows individuals to feel more empowered and informed in deciding next steps they want to take.  It will also allow for more centralised data collection and monitoring of incident trends at Queen Mary, to inform future interventions and prevention work.

Consent Matters
An essential part of our commitment to making Queen Mary safe and respectful for all is in helping everyone to have a clear understanding of sexual consent. We want our campus to stay safe and we all have a responsibility to help keep it that way.  In the Consent Matters short QM+ course you will learn how to recognise and ask for sexual consent, look out for others on campus, and where to find support if you need it. 

Consent is understood as agreeing by choice, and having the freedom and capacity to make that choice. Consent is not simply the absence of a ‘no’. It is affirmative and enthusiastic, and it can be withdrawn at any time. Put simply, sex without consent isn’t sex, it's sexual violence.

It is important, therefore, that you complete this course.

Other Support Resources 
Visas and International student Advice 
Money and practical advice 
Sexual assault and harassment advice 
Help in a mental health crisis
QMUL Student Health Service
Residences and Housing Advice 
Student support services
Student Support Contacts (find out the contact details of all SSOs within the University)

Your Student Union (SU)

The Students' Union can help with valuable information about clubs, societies and events. There is also some great information and guides on how to deal with loneliness from Advice and Counselling and for students with an interest in music there are music rehearsal facilities, student ensembles and a programme of public music events: http://www.music.qmul.ac.uk/

The Students’ Union have a number of societies, open to all, that students can join to meet like-minded people, whether their passion is Maths or Mauritian culture, Anime or Pokemon there should be something to appeal to everyone. Joining a Society is a great way for you to meet people with similar interests, develop new skills, make a difference and get involved in University life. Whatever you are interested in doing outside of lectures and labs, you are likely to find it within one or more of our diverse Societies. More information: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/student-advice-and-signposting-hub/mental-health-and-wellbeing/isolation-and-loneliness

Mental Health First Aiders
Your local mental health first aiders have an in-depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing. They will be able to have a reassuring and comfortable conversation with you about appropriate support, whether that is self-help resources, university counselling services, the NHS, or a mix. You can find more information here: Mental Health First Aid - Health and Safety Directorate. 

Togetherall
Queen Mary students going through a tough time can now access free online support with Togetherall. Whether you’re struggling to sleep, feeling low, stressed or unable to cope, Big White Wall can help you get support, take control and feel better. To join Togetherall, simply go to https://togetherall.com/ and sign up under Queen Mary University of London with your university email address.

Security Service QMUL (24 hours)    T: 020 7882 3333 (Emergency) / 020 7882 5000 (non-emergency)

Check QMUL website to find important information about:

• campus security: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/security/campus-security/ - this includes tabs at the bottom regarding phone snatching. 
• safe spaces: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/security/safe-spaces
• personal security: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/security/personal-security/ 

Residential Support for the well-being of students living in halls residences-reception@qmul.ac.uk/ T: 020 7882 5064

Samaritans (24 hours) 
Confidential, impartial emotional support for those who are experiencing distress or despair, including suicidal thoughts. T: 116 123  / E: jo@samaritans.org

Tower Hamlets 24 hour Mental Health Crisis Line 
Supports people living and working in Tower Hamlets and is staffed by mental health professionals. It is for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis and can be used in the first instance as an alternative to visiting A&E.  T: 0207 771 5807, W: https://www.elft.nhs.uk/services/tower-hamlets-mental-health-crisis-line

See here a full list of specialist support services based in the UK. If you would like some guidance finding specialist support services near you, please contact: Advice and Counselling