Self Help Resources
Self help techniques can help you to manage your mental health and wellbeing. Below are some resources that you might find helpful.
Our support wheel can help you to identify what support you need.
NHS Self Help Guides
These NHS Self-Help Guides are a useful starting point to understand the difficulties you may be experiencing. They offer guidance on mental health problems from stress, shyness, anxiety and depression to anger, alcohol dependence, domestic violence and eating disorders. Each guide has an introductory video and is available to download as a leaflet or audio file.
Resources for Chinese students
We have information on physical illness and mental health for Chinese students. It is available in Chinese and in English.
Interactive apps and online courses
Health Assured's app provides you with interactive resources to help track and improve your wellbeing. Within the app, you will get access to a library of resources personalised to your preferences, wellbeing articles, videos, mood trackers, 4-week plans, mini health checks and more.
Qwell provides free, safe and anonymous online mental health support whenever you need it.
Living Life to the Full offers free courses tackling low mood, stress and resiliency.
Student Minds offer free, online courses to support you with managing your mental health at university.
Students Against Depression offers comprehensive information on depression, resources to tackle it and the opportunity to discuss it with other UK students.
Free Headspace Subscriptions
The University and the Students’ Union are currently offering a free subscription to Headspace for students and staff.
Through evidence-based meditation and mindfulness tools, mental health coaching, therapy, psychiatry, Headspace helps you create life-changing habits to support your mental health and find a healthier, happier you.” Headspace 2024 ·
Click here for more information about Headspace.
Once you sign-up you’ll be able to access hundreds of guided exercises for meditation, sleep, focus, and movement until May 2025.
Use the link below to sign up for Headspace. This must be done using your University email address to receive the free subscription.
Click here to sign up for your free subscription to Headspace
Please note that there are a limited number of subscriptions available. These are offered on a first come, first served basis. As part of managing the project, the SU Advice Service will be able to see who has signed up, but this will remain confidential. If you sign up, your anonymised Academic Status will be shared with the University, but you won’t be identifiable within this. The Students’ Union will be sharing this information with the University as this is a pilot funded by the University and the information will be used for statistical purposes only.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Mindfulness is a technique you can learn to be fully present and engaged in the moment without judging anything. It can help you manage your thoughts, feelings and mental health. In addition to our regular workshops, you can find downloadable podcasts to help you relax and feel better. We reccomend choosing a comfortable setting where you can be still and undisturbed.
Disclaimer: Do not listen to podcasts whilst driving or operating machinery.
Mindfulness techniques:
- Mindfulness practice 1:Introduction to the body scan
What the body scan is, why it’s helpful and how to do it. Duration 03:51 - Mindfulness practice 2: The guided body scan
Instructions for practising deep physical and mental relaxation and awareness. Duration 24:24 - Mindfulness practice 3: Sitting meditation
A guided instruction in mindfulness for beginners. If you are already using mindfulness, you may find this a useful refresher and aid to developing your practice. Duration 11:46
- Mindfulness practice 4: The three-minute breathing space
Learn how to become aware of your body so that you are not just ‘in your head’. Duration 04.52 - Mandarin mindfulness practices
A Youtube playlist with 7 mindfulness practice videos in Mandarin
Relaxation:
- Easy breathing relaxation
Learn to relax by becoming aware of your breath. Duration 03:20 - Relax at your desk
A quick way of releasing the tension that builds when you sit in front of a computer. Duration 02:24 - Reduce your stress and tension
Learn how to switch on the relaxation response with this short, guided meditation. Duration 07:27 - Progressive muscular relaxation
Learn how to relax. Some people find this a good preparation for sleep. Duration 06:03 - Prepare for sleep Prepare for restful sleep by letting go of the tension in your body. Duration 07:06
- Visualisation 1: Create a calm space This guided visualisation helps you to enter a state of deep relaxation. You can use this whenever you want to.
practise feeling more relaxed in your body and in your mind. Duration 06:15 - Visualisation 2: Guided imaginary journey Follow your guide to a place of deep relaxation Duration 06:46
- Guided relaxation Release your tension in this guided tour through the muscle groups of your body. Duration 06:55
Stress, anxiety and panic:
- What is a panic attack? Duration 05:57
- How can I stop a panic attack? Duration 11:08
- Manage exam stress Learn how to transform panicky thoughts into more creative tension. Duration 07:36