Adjusting to university life can be tough for some students and it’s easy to see why. Moving away from home is a big change, new academic demands are a big change, financial worries can be a big change, and above all, moving in with strangers can be a big change. Although these feelings are understandable and sometimes expected, people tend to be reluctant to talk about their mental health.

It’s time for this to change.

At Hope, we take our students’ mental health and well-being seriously and we have lots of professional and confidential support available for you. If you’re having personal, emotional or mental health difficulties then we are here to help. Below are a few examples of the services that are available to you:

• One-to-one support for practical, emotional and academic concerns
• Regular and on-going monitoring of your mental health
• Online resources
• Information about mental health and useful services
• Learning Support Plan assistance
• Drop-in sessions for students who need urgent support (Monday – Friday 12pm – 2pm).

There is a professional and confidential counselling service available to help you with any issues that may be affecting your studies, relationships, self-esteem or general feelings. Our counsellors are non-judgemental and will treat you and your beliefs with the upmost respect. We are here to help you.

There are daily counselling drop in sessions, from 12pm – 2pm and you can also book an appointment to speak to one of our counselling team. To book an appointment, call 0151 291 3427, email sdw@hope.ac.uk or visit the Student Development and Well-being team in the Gateway Building.

To help you improve your own mental health, we’ve put together 5 handy tips.

1. Connect with the people around you

• Spending time with family, friends, housemates and neighbours will help to support and enrich you!

2. Be active

• Run, walk, cycle, dance, so whatever activity you enjoy!

3. Take notice

• Liverpool is a truly beautiful city and there is plenty to see on and off campus. It’s time to be curious!

4. Keep learning

• Set yourself a challenge that you’ll enjoy learning.

5. Give

• Thank someone. Smile at someone. Help someone. Do something for someone else.