For detailed information on the support available to you, visit the MyTrin Student Health & Welfare page.

The Mental Health Officer

It is well known that life at Cambridge University is high pressure, with our short eight week terms pushing us intellectually and physically, trying to find the time to fit in extra-curricular activities alongside demanding supervisions and deadlines. It can be difficult to be prepared for these pressures, and managing the heavy Cambridge workload alongside your personal life over your time here can present a challenge to your mental health.

Mental health problems that students experience can range from worries we all experience from time-to-time, to serious long-term conditions. Students coming to Cambridge with pre-existing mental health problems may also have additional concerns about their health, and so getting in touch early on about the help available will help adjustment to university life, and aid in the process of recovery.

Here at Cambridge there is a wide range of systems of support that are available for individuals facing mental health problems, which are readily accessible in times of need. Looking after your mental health is essential and should always take precedence, particularly if you find your illness to be a barrier in your every day life. There is no shame in addressing your mental health although it is often difficult, so please approach someone if you believe this is the case for you or someone you know.

Approximately 1 in 4 people experience a mental health condition at some time during their lives, and we are committed to tackling the stigma around mental illness and raising awareness of the needs and ways in which individuals can maintain a positive mental health.

If you are suffering from a mental illness which is encumbering your ability to work, let your tutor, your Mental Health Welfare Officer, or healthcare professional know as soon as possible. This will make the process easier should you need any exam allowances.

For more info on the current Mental Health and Disabled Students’ Welfare Officer's profile and plans for the year visit this page introducing you to this year's committee.

Useful & Important Information and Links

Mental Health Advisor

mha@trin.cam.ac.uk

The College is committed to supporting students who are experiencing personal, emotional or mental health problems. If you are feeling stressed, anxious, depressed or are concerned about your mental or emotional wellbeing, you can contact Juliet Bristow, our Mental Health & Wellbeing Advisor for an appointment. She is available Monday to Friday during office hours throughout the year. In crisis situations students can be seen during the evenings or weekends.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisor - MyTrin Page

College Counsellor

counsellor@trin.cam.ac.uk

Trinity has a College Counsellor who has years of experience working therapeutically with students, and is a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. The College Counsellor is based in college in Full Term during the allocated hours shown below, and can be reached on the above e-mail.

Monday: 11.00-14.00
Friday: 14.00-17.00

Counselling - MyTrin Page

University Counselling Service

http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/
The Counselling Service offers free, professional and confidential counselling to all students and staff. A number of groups also exist for students, and more information on a range of issues can be found on the website.

*To make an appointment with the UCS:
http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/studentcouns

*They also run self-help groups and workshops: the timetable for which is found here:
http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/studentcouns/studentgroups

*An A-Z of self help leaflets covering a variety of problems people suffer e.g. anxiety, perfectionism, self harm…
http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/selfhelp/leaflets/leaflets

Student Advice Service

- http://www.studentadvice.cam.ac.uk/
The Student Advice Service offers free, confidential and independent support to all Cambridge University students. You can come to the service with any issues or problems that you might experience as a student - from questions or concerns about your education or University procedures to a health enquiry or a mental health issue.

*To make an appointment with the SAS:
http://www.studentadvice.cam.ac.uk/contacts/

*They also offer dropin sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 12pm-2pm at the Graduate Union (17 Mill Lane)
*More useful information can be found here:
http://www.studentadvice.cam.ac.uk/welfare/mentalhealth/

Linkline

- http://linkline.org.uk/
This is the Student-run confidential listening service available from 7pm-7am every night of full term for Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin students.

Tel: 01223 744 444 or 01223 367 575 – both will numbers go through to their phone line. They don’t have call display, so they can’t see what number you're calling from nor can they find out.

Email: email@linkline.org.uk - They will always get back to you within 48 hours. Their email service automatically strips your email address from the email, so they cannot see your email address.

Skype: linkline.cambridge - You can call them for free on Skype 7pm-7am every night of the CU full term. Calls from Skype go straight through to their phones like any other call – they can’t tell if a call comes from a phone or from a computer.

Samaritans (Cambridge Branch)

- http://www.samaritans.org/branches/cambridge-samaritans
This is a non-religious organisation which offers a similar service to Linkline and are the people to contact outside of Linkline's opening times (they're open 24hours).

Tel: 01223 364455 or 08457 909090
Email: jo@samaritans.org

SANE

(National mental health charity) - http://www.sane.org.uk
SANE runs a national, out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers. They are open every day of the year from 6pm to 11pm

Tel: 0845 767 8000

Mind

(National mental health charity): http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/
----The Cambridgeshire offshoot: http://www.mindincambs.org.uk/
----The Mind infoline provides information on treatments and advocacy and details of help and support in your local area. Tel: 0300 123 3393.

Lifecraft

(Local mental health charity): http://www.lifecraft.org.uk/index.asp
----The Lifeline providing a freephone confidential support service across Cambridgeshire between 7.00pm and 11.00pm, 365 days a year:
Tel: 0808 808 2121
----A (dated but useful) handbook with a wide range of information can be found here.

Disability Resource Centre

http://www.disability.admin.cam.ac.uk/
The DRC is the University of Cambridge's disability service, providing advice, information and support to all disabled students. The DRC supports individuals with any disability, medical matter or injury, including those with mental health issues.

Contact Mary Harvey, Trinity’s Disabled Students Welfare Officer, at disabilities@tcsu.net, or call the Centre on +44 (0)1223 332301.

Address: Keynes House, 24a Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1QA

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 9am - 5pm, Friday 9am - 4pm

Your GP

http://www.newnhamwalksurgery.nhs.uk/

http://www.bridgestreetmedicalcentre.com/index.htm

Your local GP is either Newnham Walk surgery or Bridge Street medical practice. Both practices have fantastic GPs who are able to put you in contact with counselors, or discuss treatment options with you.

For information about how to find a counsellor or therapist outside of the university, and for general help with mental health problems, visit the counselling directory website.

TCSU

Trinity College Students’ Union

Mental Health