Disability & Wellbeing ServiceHow can we help students' mental health & wellbeing?

Finding the Right Support for You

Looking after your mental health and wellbeing is an important part of university life. At Strathclyde, we offer different types of support to meet students' needs, whether you're looking for wellbeing advice, help managing stress, counselling, or support during a mental health crisis.

We know that everyone's situation is different. Some students may only need access to self-help resources or a single conversation to get back on track, while others may benefit from ongoing therapeutic support or specialist services.

Our support is organised into five levels. Think of these as different options rather than stages you must progress through. Together, we'll help identify the most appropriate support for your needs, and if things change, you can move between different levels of support at any time.

You don't need to be in crisis to seek support

Many students access our services for help managing stress, transitions, relationships, confidence, academic pressures, or other challenges affecting their wellbeing. Reaching out early can often prevent difficulties from becoming more significant.

Levels of support

Sometimes a little support can make a big difference. Whether you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, struggling to focus, or simply looking for ways to improve your wellbeing, we offer a range of resources that you can access quickly and easily.

At this level, you can explore:

Online self-help resources and wellbeing tools to help you better understand and manage common challenges such as stress, anxiety, low mood, sleep difficulties, and academic pressures.
The Spectrum Life Wellbeing Lab and Digital Gym, which provide a wide range of interactive resources, wellbeing activities, and practical tools designed to help you build healthy habits and improve your overall wellbeing.
24/7 counselling and emotional support through Spectrum Life, available by phone, video, or online chat, whenever you need someone to talk to.

Workshops, groups, and drop-in sessions, including topics such as exam preparation, stress management, mindfulness, resilience, and other skills to support your wellbeing and academic success.

These resources are free, flexible, and available without a referral, allowing you to access support whenever it suits you.

You do not need to be experiencing a mental health crisis to access support. Many students use these resources to maintain their wellbeing, develop coping skills, and manage the everyday challenges that can arise during university life.

Sometimes it can be difficult to know what kind of support would be most helpful. You may be facing a specific challenge, feeling that your wellbeing has changed, or simply looking for someone to talk things through with.

Our wellbeing appointments provide a safe and supportive space to explore what's happening and consider the options available to you.

At this level, we offer:

  • one-to-one wellbeing appointments where you can discuss any concerns affecting your wellbeing, studies, or university experience.
  • focused single-session support that can help you identify practical next steps, develop coping strategies, and create a personalised wellbeing plan.
  • Targeted events and workshops designed to support students with the life and studies.
  • guidance on available support options, helping you access university services, academic adjustments, disability support, community resources, or external organisations where appropriate.

These conversations are designed to help you gain clarity, feel supported, and identify the next steps that are right for you.

You don't need to know exactly what support you need before getting in touch. If you're unsure where to start, we'll work with you to explore your options and connect you with the most appropriate support for your circumstances.

 

Sometimes difficulties can feel more persistent or begin to have a greater impact on your day-to-day life, relationships, studies, or overall wellbeing. If this is the case, counselling can provide a dedicated space to explore what's happening and work towards positive change.

Our counselling service offers a confidential, supportive, and collaborative environment where you can talk openly about your experiences and identify ways of moving forward.

At this level, we offer:

  • short-term counselling with qualified and experienced practitioners.
  • evidence-based therapeutic support, including counselling, CBT-informed approaches, emotion regulation strategies, and support with the wellbeing impacts of disability or long-term health conditions.
  • support with a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, low mood, academic pressures, life transitions, relationship difficulties, loss, and other ongoing challenges.
  • access to specialist support pathways, including referral to the Rosey Project where this may be helpful for students affected by sexual violence, abuse, or trauma.

Therapeutic support is tailored to your individual needs, strengths, and goals, helping you develop greater understanding, resilience, and practical ways of managing the challenges you are facing.

Counselling isn't just for times of crisis. Many students access counselling to better understand themselves, navigate life changes, build coping strategies, and improve their overall wellbeing while studying at university.

 

 

If you're experiencing thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or are finding it difficult to stay safe, you are not alone. We understand that reaching out can feel difficult, but support is available.

Our team can work with you to understand what is contributing to these thoughts and help you develop a personalised plan to support your safety and wellbeing.

At this level, we offer:

  • specialist support using the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) framework, an evidence-based approach that helps us understand what's driving thoughts of suicide and identify practical ways to reduce distress and increase safety.
  • collaborative safety planning and ongoing support, helping you identify coping strategies, sources of support, and steps you can take during difficult moments.
  • access to specialist services and support pathways, including referral to the Rosey Project where trauma-informed support may be beneficial.
  • partnership working with external services, including GPs, NHS mental health services, and safeguarding teams where additional support is needed.

Our focus is on working alongside you to understand your experiences, enhance your safety, and connect you with the support that is most appropriate for your needs.

Seeking support for thoughts of suicide or self-harm is a sign of strength, not weakness. You do not have to manage these difficulties on your own. Together, we can develop a plan to help you stay safe and access the support you need.

Sometimes a student's needs may be best met by services outside the University. When this happens, we will work with you to help access the most appropriate support while continuing to provide guidance and practical assistance where we can.

Depending on your circumstances, we can help you connect with:

  • Your GP practice
  • NHS mental health services, including support for more complex or longer-term mental health difficulties.
  • community mental health teams and other specialist healthcare services.
  • crisis and emergency services when immediate support is required to ensure your safety and wellbeing.
  • specialist organisations that provide expert support for experiences such as trauma, abuse, self-harm, suicidality, or other complex needs.

Where appropriate, we will work alongside external professionals and services to help ensure you receive joined-up support.

While you are engaging with external care, we can continue to offer:

  • practical wellbeing support and check-ins.
  • advice on managing student life and academic pressures.
  • guidance around academic adjustments and support arrangements within the University.
  • help navigating university processes and accessing additional support services.

You don't have to manage this alone. If your needs require support beyond the University, we'll help you understand your options and connect with the services that are best placed to support your recovery and wellbeing.

Support isn't a one-way journey. As your needs change, the type of support that's most helpful may change too. You can move between different levels of support, and we'll work with you to identify the options that best meet your needs at any stage of your student journey.

Aerial view of the Learning and Teaching Building and Rottenrow Gardens looking east

The Disability & Wellbeing Service

Rm 467, Mary Dunn Wing,
Learning & Teaching Building,
55 Richmond Street,
Glasgow, G1 1XQ

Office hours:

  • Monday to Thursday: 9am to 8pm (5pm to 8pm by appointment only)
  • Friday: 9am to 5pm

We'll aim to respond to your email message within five working days.

Appointments can be made by phoning the Disability & Wellbeing Service on +44 (0)141 548 3402. You can also email us at disability-wellbeing@strath.ac.uk to ask about making an appointment.