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Wellbeing Toolkit

Wellbeing Toolkit

Wellbeing Toolkit.

Throughout your time at University, there will be periods that are challenging. You might struggle to juggle academia and part-time work, or be overwhelmed by leaving home for the first time. During these busy and stressful times, it’s easy to forget to look after ourselves and check-in with others and that’s where our Wellbeing Toolkit comes in.

Our Wellbeing Toolkit is designed to help you look after yourself, and find the support you need when you need it.

It’s a comprehensive overview of resources, activities and advice to help you maintain positive mental wellbeing which you can tailor to your own needs and circumstances.

Take time to talk

There’s a lot of truth to the old proverb: “A problem shared is a problem halved”

Studies have shown that discussing your problems, especially with someone who has been through similar experiences, helps to reduce stress and improve your emotional wellbeing.

Reaching out to others makes a big difference to mental wellbeing. Talk with your friends, family, or access one of the support services listed below.

UoA Support

Support Services

  • Student Advice and Support Office - If you are worried about any aspect of your student life including your financial circumstances, please contact the Student Advice & Support Team by the email address on screen to discuss your concerns in confidence with an Adviser.
  • Student Helpline – Our student helpline is available when University support services are closed. That’s every weekday after 5pm, all day Saturday and Sunday, and 24/7 during closure periods.
  • Counselling Service – The Counselling Service offers ‘talking therapy’ which gives you the opportunity to explore with a qualified counsellor, issues which are causing you concern or distress.
  • Personal Tutors - Your personal tutor or pastoral support lead is a member of academic staff who can guide you with any problem that is affecting your experience at University. Whether it’s a personal matter or related to your course, your personal tutor is available to offer advice about any concerns you’re having and will refer you to our wider support services when necessary. 
  • Peer Support – Students 4 Students is a mentoring scheme which matches new students with a student mentor who will be on hand to give you advice and answer any questions you have about studying at UoA and living in Aberdeen.
  • SRAs - For students living in university accommodation student resident assistants offer support and assistance.


Specialist Support

External Support
  • BEAT offers free and confidential help via message boards, webchat and telephone for persons struggling with any eating disorder. 
  • Breathing Space is a service for people in Scotland which is provided via video chat and helpline. Allows you to talk through your feelings and concerns with mental health professionals. 
  • CALM offers a helpline / webchat available all year around for men who are facing difficulty and depressive thoughts. 
  • Cruise Bereavement Care is a free national helpline for people seeking someone to listen to them following a loss/bereavement.  
  • Penumbra is an Aberdeen Self Harm service providing one-on-one support to people over 16 years old who are struggling with self-harm via self-referral or referral from family/agencies. 
  • Samaritans offer a free helpline and self-help app for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or are struggling to cope.
  • Shout 85258 is a 24/7 text messaging support service for anybody to text when they may be struggling with anxiety, loneliness or depression through to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. The service is there 24/7 and you will get a reply within 5 minutes of your text. TEXT 85258. 
  • Students Against Depression offers information on how to spot depression and understand it. Provides resources allowing you to initiate self-help and create an action plan through a set of modules. 
  • Meridian Wellbeing (formerly the Chinese Mental Health Association) provide accessible services, activities and support that are designed to promote everyone's wellbeing including a Chinese Wellbeing Service where they offer bilingual support, services and activities for like minded people to socialise and manage their wellbeing. 
  • Man Chat - A community organisation where men can feel safe to talk openly about mental health.
  • Menopause Matters - Listen and discuss all things menopause and other women’s health issues.
  • Mindout - A mental health service that provides information and support to the LGBTQI+ community.

Care for yourself

Self-help techniques and lifestyle changes can help improve your overall mental and physical wellbeing. Take a look at our self-help guides to help you understand what you are experiencing, as well as advice on how to manage it.

Counselling Toolkit

These short videos developed by the University’s Counselling Service give helpful advice on looking after your wellbeing, developing resilience, taking time for yourself and more.

Introduction to the Counselling Service

Counselling is a short-term ‘talking therapy’ which offers the opportunity for you to explore any issues which are causing you stress or distress

Improve your daily wellbeing

20 ways to improve your daily wellbeing

Come To Your Senses

Paying attention to your senses can help you feel more present and reduce feelings of anxiety.

Looking After Your Mental Health

Understanding and managing your mental health

Developing Resilience

Learning how to cope and bounce back from different situations

Be Active

Being active isn’t just good for our physical health; it’s also proven to have a positive effect on our mental health and wellbeing. Take time for a short walk during the day or take a new physical activity you enjoy or have always wanted to pursue.

Be present

Being present with your thoughts and feelings and with the world around you can boost your wellbeing. Try taking a break to sit quietly in the garden or park, listen to your favourite music or mindfulness session. Simple things can bring us joy.  

Learn

Learning improves our self-esteem and helps us adapt to change and find meaning in our lives. It can also help prevent depression in later years. Try learning something new today, read a new book or research something you’ve always been curious about.

Give

Giving to others can create positive feelings and help you to connect with other people.  It can be as simple as asking a friend how they are or giving your time to listen to someone who needs support or company. Take the time to check in with a classmate or friend. A short phone call could be all it takes to brighten someone’s day.