Supporting someone who has been victimised or experienced a traumatic event can be difficult and can often have a negative impact on you. It’s important to acknowledge this and take some time and support for yourself. If you feel like you need support, it is important that you seek to access relevant materials and services. You can seek support from others, though you must be cautious as you do not want to betray anyone’s trust by sharing their experience with others without their consent. You can talk confidentially to someone within the Student Wellbeing Services or access specialist support.
University support services
- Report and Support allows students and staff to report incidents either anonymously or with contact details for follow-up. The service also provides information on a range of different incidents, along with both internal and external support services.
- Student Wellbeing Services can provide information and advice to help support students for a number of issues and direct them to more specialist support services. They also have a counselling service which provides one-to-one, confidential support for students, in the form of short-term counselling or referral to specialised support services.
- The Advice Hub offer free, impartial and confidential advice to students about a range of issues, including mental health and wellbeing.
- Respect Ambassadors are staff members who can provide confidential guidance and support to staff who have witnessed or experienced inappropriate behaviour or are having a difficult time.
- Care First is a health package for staff, which offers support for a range of practical and emotional issues, as well as one-to-one counselling sessions.
External support services (UK)
- Samaritans provide a completely confidential helpline for anyone who is worried or feeling troubled. They are there to listen to any worries or problems you’re facing and talk you through your experiences. You don’t have to be suicidal to use the service. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Breathing Space is for people feeling overwhelmed or troubled by their thoughts and feelings to talk about what they’re experiencing. They are there to listen to you, and can offer relevant information and advice. Call 0800 83 85 87. The helpline is open 18:00-02:00 Monday to Thursday, and 18:00-06:00 Friday to Monday.
- Togetherall is a global online community which acts as a safe space for people to get talk about their thoughts and feelings, and access resources to self-manage mental health and wellbeing. Join for free using your university email. The site is active 24/7 and is monitored by licensed mental health professionals.