Wellbeing Wednesday – Our Mental Health Apps
Please see below for this week’s Wellbeing Wednesday update:
Each Wednesday (during term time) we will send you an email highlighting wellbeing support that is available to Business School students within the School and from across the university. As well as providing a reminder about the support available each week, we will also shine a spotlight on a different university support service.
Here at the Business School, we have two specialist advisers to help support our students. You can find out more about the support they can offer via the Business School Undergraduate/ Postgraduate Canvas Communities.
Get in touch: Our Business School Wellbeing Adviser Emer McConnell, is available via email each Wednesday between 10.00-11.00am in case Business School students have any questions about Wellbeing support or services available. If you want an informal chat, please email Emer at NUBS.Wellbeing@newcastle.ac.uk or call her on Teams (Emer McConnell) and she will be able to sign post you to what support is available.
Other Sources of Support: Outside of Emer’s contact time each Wednesday, you can also get in touch with a range of Wellbeing Support services. Our Student and Staff Wellbeing Service work with local and national organisations to support you and help you maximise your academic potential and gain the most from your time here at Newcastle.
Student Support Plans: If you disclose a long-term mental health condition, supported by recent medical evidence, you may be able to access reasonable adjustments and support to help you engage in your studies. Students who have an on-going mental health condition or disability can access a Student Support Plan: specialistlearning@ncl.ac.uk or disabilityadvisor@ncl.ac.uk.
Mental Health Advisor: If you feel you may require support with a mental health issue, you can request an individual assessment appointment: mentalhealthadvisor@ncl.ac.uk.
Drop-In Support: For situations where you do not need a regular appointment but may want to speak to someone about an issue impacting upon your health and wellbeing please contact: sws.therapyappointments@ncl.ac.uk.
This service allows you to meet with our Therapist, Lisa to discuss any issue that may be affecting you but where you don’t feel you need a more regular appointment and some advice may help. Lisa can provide counselling for students who may be struggling with life concerns which cause unmanageable emotional or psychological distress. She can also help students to get the most from their university experience and maximise their academic success by providing time focussed counselling. This service is available to all students, to those with and without medical evidence.
Wellbeing Workshops: The school is hosting workshops on a range of topics from Managing Stress and Anxiety to How to Sleep: ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/newseventsandprojects/
For more information about wellbeing support and services at Newcastle University visit: Student and Staff Wellbeing.
Urgent Wellbeing Support: For urgent concerns during office hours (09:00 – 17:00 Monday-Friday) please use the Wellbeing Consultancy service: wellbeingconsultancy@ncl.ac.uk. For out of hours help, please call University Security: 0191 208 6817 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
Report + Support: We are committed to providing a positive experience for our students and colleagues and believe that abusive behaviours are never acceptable. Our online Report and Support tool enables anyone to report concerns anonymously, make a formal complaint and/ or receive support. You can read more at https://reportandsupport.ncl.ac.uk/.
Spotlight on … Our Mental Health Apps
iNCLude App
The iNCLude self-help app is designed to help students take small steps to improve and maintain their wellbeing, not just mental health.
The app has been designed with specialists, using evidence-based methodology and looks at how to maximise the student experience at Newcastle by creating positive habits to ensure you are focussing on more than just your academic studies. It looks at encouraging you to following the NHS 5 ways to wellbeing:
– Connect
– Be Active
– Take Notice
– Keep Learning
– Give
We advise students to keep an eye on the news feed to see what wellbeing events and opportunities are going on across campus, to keep track of positive habits and learn some great coping skills. The app has been providing targeted support to students during lockdown, with regular challenges and reminders to take care of yourself. This semester they have had ‘Tiny Habits’ to help you make small changes to improve your wellbeing, podcasts to help you through the pandemic, sleep meditations, and tips to improve your workspace and get the most out of online learning.
This app is exclusive to students with a Newcastle.ac.uk email address. Registered students can download iNCLude using the QR code below. Although most active during term time, the app will continue providing help and reminders throughout the summer break.
If you know anyone who is getting ready to start university, there is a new ‘future students’ part of the app for new starters to help them prepare for life as a student at Newcastle University. With information and advice on transitions, preparing for University, student life at Newcastle, finances and fresher’s events – they’ll find everything they need in one place. Download through iOs: https://tinyurl.com/4rme9be8 or Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/4kprc9nb
TalkCampus
TalkCampus is a free, private, multi-language service delivered via an app, where students can talk with other students from around the world about the ups and downs of life. Your student email address will give you free access and you can download TalkCampus from the app stores. The app includes blogs, podcasts, resources, reminders and challenges.
TalkCampus is anonymous and it isn’t run by Newcastle University. We won’t be able to see if you are using it, and you won’t be able to see where other students are located. As TalkCampus is based around peer support, you can use it if you need some help yourself or you can go on there to listen and support others. If do wish to sign up as a supporter, please email nubs.placementandstudyabroad@newcastle.ac.uk and we will put you in touch with the appropriate team for an induction.
The platform is safe, moderated and is designed as a place where students can just be themselves. Student life can be tough, and we know sometimes you might not want to talk to the university about how you’re feeling. It is important to remember that TalkCampus is not a replacement for counselling or professional support, however it is a great place to start talking and to know that however you are feeling right now, you are not alone.
We advise students to download it before you need it and share it with other students. You can read more about TalkCampus, with links to download here.