Dear Strathclyde student,
I hope this message finds you well and you are enjoying the last few weeks of Semester 2. I want to update you on the University’s COVID arrangements as Scotland moves further into a more stable period of living with COVID.
From Monday 9th May, the University will no longer require our students, staff and visitors to use a face covering on campus.
Instead, and in line with Scottish Government guidance, we will now strongly encourage the use of face coverings as a precaution, particularly where significant numbers of people are present.
This means that it is down to individuals to choose when and where to wear a face covering while on campus.
We are also encouraging our staff, students and visitors to keep a reasonable distance from others wherever possible. We recommend keeping approximately 1 metre distance, especially when indoors and in enclosed spaces. You are also reminded that the additional measures of providing hand washing stations, regular cleaning and maintaining good ventilation should continue.
Please remember that we support the Distance Aware Scheme which has been designed to help and support those worried about mixing with others
All routine testing and contact tracing has now stopped and the University no longer requires to be notified if you catch COVID. If you are unwell, please ensure that you update the Personal Circumstances section in your Pegasus record.
I hope that you will all agree that these developments are positive and that they reflect the strides that wider society is taking in adapting to living with COVID.
Please be assured that the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and students remain central to everything we do, and we will continue to monitor and review our COVID guidance and advice.
I know that the last two years have been very difficult for many of us, and I want to reassure you that there is a wealth of support available to you as a member of our student community:
Referrals & Weekday Services
Students with concerns about their mental health or wellbeing can access same-day initial support and advice from our Early Intervention Counselling Team. Referrals can be made by emailing the Disability & Wellbeing Service on disability-wellbeing@strath.ac.uk.
24/7 Mental Health Phone & Digital Support Service
In addition to our weekday services, we are working with Spectrum Life to offer a phone and digital mental health support line – this is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
The 24/7 Student Support Service is a confidential, in-the-moment service that provides support on numerous topics including: stress, anxiety, low mood, financial worries, loss and grief, relationship problems, substance abuse issues and much more.
You can access the service through a confidential, freephone telephone line, an online chat function through the platform or by requesting a call back.
Access this service directly by phone or register to the platform below:
Freephone UK: 0800 0318227
INT: 00353 1 518 0277
Register now on the Spectrum Life platform and mobile app.
Pro Tip: Use Google Chrome to ensure the best performance of the platform.
SilverCloud Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
If you're worried, feeling low or stressed, or finding it hard to sleep, you may want to explore our online mental health programme from SilverCloud. SilverCloud offers secure, confidential and immediate access to a range of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) programmes tailored to your individual needs. It will help you identify key issues and offers activities to help you overcome them.
Rape Crisis
Our Rape Crisis service offers support for students who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives, or who are looking for information around consent. Further information including contact details is available on our web pages.
How to Create Wellbeing & Happiness – Online Module
Our in-house 'How to Create Wellbeing & Happiness' programme is now available to all students on MyPlace and we strongly encourage you to work through the module. The in-depth module is designed to help you develop independent strategies to enhance and maintain a positive sense of wellbeing.
Wellbeing Programmes
We offer a wellbeing training programme with 12 psychoeducational courses on offer to students. Topics include: mindfulness; managing stress and anxiety. Further information, including details of how to book, is available to students on MyPlace.
Strathclyde Sport
As a student, you have free access to ExHALE, Strathclyde Sport’s inclusive activity support offering that caters for those looking to add more movement into their daily routine. The web page has lots of resources including short workout videos, social activity initiatives, progress and goals setting downloads and health and wellbeing advice and tips.
You also have free access to StrathActive – the University’s flagship active health programme delivered in partnership with Strath Union and the Sports Union. StrathActive provides a range of free social sports and fun active health activities that take place at lunchtimes and late afternoons each week.
You can also find additional information on our website about staying active, healthy and well.
If you are worried about anything or have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing student.helpdesk@strath.ac.uk
Best wishes,
Jim
Professor Sir Jim McDonald
Principal and Vice-Chancellor