Mental health support
Queen Mary University of London want our students to have the best possible experience while they are studying with us.
As part of our commitment to the wellbeing of all of our students, whether they are living here on campus in East London or studying remotely and whatever programme or academic route they are following, we have made a significant investment in services aimed at supporting our students’ mental health.
We all have periods in our life when we’re facing difficult situations. For many young people their university years will be punctuated with times when they’re in need of advice and support to help them through difficult situations that they may be facing for the first time in their adult lives.
Sadly, many more students report mental health concerns than ever before - the Covid-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this trend.
Our support for students experiencing difficulties with their mental health is largely split between two teams: the Advice and Counselling Service, and the Disability and Dyslexia Service.
It can be confusing for students (and staff) to know which type of support is most appropriate in any given situation, so on this page we have explained which members of staff provide which support, and where to find them.
We have done this by listing job titles with an explanation of what they do; you can click on the links to find out how to see one of these people.
All of our support is available both in person, i.e. face to face, as well as online.
Mental Health Advisers
Which service are they in? Advice and Counselling
What do they do?
Mental Health Advisers provide practical support and interventions to help you manage your mental health condition. They support students in the following ways:
- Advise students with no existing mental health diagnosis but who are experiencing issues with their mental health
- Support students who are experiencing a mental health crisis
- Support students to access longer term support from a range of NHS mental health services
- Advise students on how to manage a diagnosed mental health condition during your studies
How can I contact them?
Please log into AskQM, click on the Home tab at the top of the page followed by the ‘new enquiry button’. Please select 'Advice and Counselling Service' as the enquiry category and then select the relevant subcategory Self-refer for Wellbeing Support. You can then proceed to answer the questions.
Student Wellbeing Advisers
Which service are they in? Advice and Counselling
What do they do?
Our Student Wellbeing Advisers can offer mental health interventions such as advice on sleep hygiene, as well as help direct and guide students to colleagues elsewhere in student wellbeing services. You may also meet them in collaboration with initiatives from your School or Institute aimed at improving wellbeing.
The Student Wellbeing Advisers are offering 20 minute drop in appointments between 2-3pm everyday either online or in person for any students who would like to discuss anything to do with their wellbeing.
How can I contact them?
Please log into AskQM, click on the Home tab at the top of the page followed by the ‘new enquiry button’. Please select 'Advice and Counselling Service' as the enquiry category and then select the relevant subcategory Self-refer for Wellbeing Support. You can then proceed to answer the questions.
Disability Advisers (Mental Health)
Which service are they in? Disability and Dyslexia
What do they do?
Disability Advisers work with students with existing mental health diagnoses to recommend and implement reasonable adjustments so that they can access their teaching and learning, as per our duties under the Equality Act (2010). One example of such an adjustment would be exam arrangements, e.g. extra time. Disability Advisers also advocate for students to ensure that they can access external funding via the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) scheme and the support that this provides.
How can I contact them?
You can request an appointment via AskQM or use the web-form, or call 020 7882 2756.
Counsellors
Which service are they in? Advice and Counselling
What do they do?
Counselling is a confidential space to explore what’s going on for you, with an experienced counsellor, to help you gain clarity, and make connections. Your counsellor won’t give you advice or tell you what to do, but will listen carefully to facilitate a clearer understanding of your difficulties. Counselling is delivered on a one-to-one basis.
How can I contact them?
Please log into AskQM, click on the Home tab at the top of the page followed by the ‘new enquiry button’. Please select 'Advice and Counselling Service' as the enquiry category and then select the relevant subcategory Self-refer for Wellbeing Support. You can then proceed to answer the questions.
Sexual Assault and Harassment Advisers
Which service are they in? Advice and Counselling
What do they do?
The Sexual Assault and Harassment Advisers meet students who have experienced sexual assault and harassment and offers bespoke support; this may involve referring to colleagues at the University, e.g. counsellors, Student Support Officers, as well as external support services. They may also support students who make formal complaints to help negotiate the University’s formal policies and processes.
How can I contact them?
The most effective way to access a Sexual Assault and Harassment Adviser is to use the University’s Report and Support tool. This will allow students to explain what has happened, upload any relevant information, and request support from a Sexual Assault and Harassment Adviser.
Students can also log into AskQM; click on the Home tab at the top of the page followed by the ‘new enquiry button’. Please select 'Advice and Counselling Service' as the enquiry category and then select the relevant subcategory subcategory Sexual Assault and Harassment Advice. You can then proceed to answer the questions.
Students can also ask their Student Support Officer to refer them.
Student Wellbeing Helpline (provided by Howden)
Queen Mary are working in partnership with an organisation called Howden to provide our students with a 24/7 wellbeing helpline when our in-house services are closed. This kind of service is known as a Student Assistance Programme. Howden provide emotional support and ‘practical guidance’ through professionally qualified staff (typically counsellors).
The 24/7 Wellbeing Helpline is available to all Queen Mary students, (including those overseas) – their phone number is 0800 028 3766.
TalkCampus
TalkCampus is an online, global wellbeing community for students.
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Use your Queen Mary student email to create a free account.
Student life can be tough, you don’t need to go it alone. Download TalkCampus now.