Mental health amongst university students: resources and advice for your well-being

October is Mental Health Awareness Month and a good opportunity to pause, take a breath and remember something important: looking after your mental well-being is also part of looking after your studies.

University life is full of changes. Living on your own for the first time, moving to a new city, meeting new people, organising your timetable, sitting exams or balancing your studies with your personal life can be an exciting experience. But it can also cause stress, worry or moments of loneliness.

That's why, at Canvas, we believe that well-being is also part of the university experience. And, above all, asking for support when you need it doesn't mean that something's wrong: it means you're looking after yourself.

Why is it important to look after your mental health at university?

Mental health is an integral part of our well-being and can influence the way we cope with everyday challenges, learn, work and interact with those around us. The World Health Organization itself points out that mental health is a continuous process and that each person may experience it in a different way.

At university, situations also arise that can test our ability to manage our day-to-day lives.

It could be exam stress. Missing family after you’ve moved. A disagreement with a friend. Difficulty striking a balance between studying and switching off. Or, quite simply, a time when you're not quite sure what's going on with you, but you realise you need to talk to someone.

You don't need to wait until the problem gets out of hand before seeking support.

Five ways to look after your emotional well-being as a student

Looking after your mental health isn't about following a perfect formula. Everyone has different needs, but some small habits can help you pay more attention to how you're feeling.

1. Learn to recognise how you feel

With classes, assignments, plans and exams to juggle, it's easy to just run on autopilot.

Take a few minutes every now and then to ask yourself how you're really feeling. Are you getting enough rest? Are you feeling particularly stressed? Have you been isolating yourself or avoiding activities you normally enjoy for several days now?

Recognising what you're feeling is the first step towards deciding what you need.

2. Strike a balance between your studies and your personal life

University shouldn't take up every minute of your day.

Organising your tasks, setting aside time for breaks and making time for activities you enjoy can help you build a more balanced routine.

And remember that taking a break doesn't mean wasting time. It's also part of your well-being.

3. Connect with the people around you

Moving to a new city can mean starting practically from scratch. Making friends, taking part in activities at the hall of residence, or simply having a coffee with someone from your floor can make all the difference.

You don't need to have a huge group of friends. Sometimes, just having someone you can talk to calmly is enough to make you feel supported.

4. Speak up if something's worrying you

You may feel that you should be able to manage everything on your own. But you don't have to.

Talking to a friend, a family member, a mentor or a professional can help you put a situation into perspective and find new ways of dealing with it.

Asking for help is also a form of self-care.

5. Make use of available resources

Sometimes we know we need support, but we don't know where to find it.

That's why it's important to be aware of the resources available before you need them. At Canvas, residents and their families have access to a confidential support service they can use for any kind of concern, whether it relates to their studies or any other matter.

Student Support Programme: a resource for when you need to talk

The Student Support Programme (SAP) is designed to help you deal with various personal and academic issues.

The service is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It also offers access to information, referrals for emotional support and counselling sessions via telephone or video call.

Situations in which you can seek guidance include:

• Stress related to exams or studies.
• Anxiety and personal worries.
• Mourning.
• Difficulties balancing studies and personal life.
• Conflicts with other people.
• Adapting to major changes.

Plus, the service has been designed with privacy in mind. Confidentiality is one of its cornerstones; service professionals and providers are bound by confidentiality agreements.

How can you access the Student Support Programme?

You can choose whichever method suits you best. The programme offers various ways to get in touch, such as:

• Telephone
• Online chat
• Video call
• Balancy app

Balancy: well-being resources at your fingertips

One way to access the programme is via Balancy, a platform with various resources related to well-being.

You can find tools such as self-assessments, mood tracking, content on well-being and a chatbot for frequently asked questions.

The platform also allows you to contact professionals via instant messaging, text, phone call or video call, and you can use an online booking tool to arrange an initial consultation. 

This October, make well-being part of your daily routine

World Mental Health Day on 10 October is a good opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of talking about emotional well-being. But you don't have to wait until then to take a moment to check in with yourself.

That's why, over the coming months, the programme is also offering students a range of online seminars on well-being and mental health.

On 10 October, an online seminar will be held to mark World Mental Health Day. And the programme continues in November with another two sessions:

• 4 November: online seminar to mark International Stress Awareness Week.
• 19 November: Strong but struggling: rethinking men's mental well-being, to mark International Men's Day.

These are opportunities to find out more, reflect on your well-being and discover various tools that can support you throughout your time at university.

Your well-being is also part of your university experience

University isn't just about attending lectures, passing exams or preparing for your future. It's also a time of change, learning and new experiences.

There will be times when everything goes to plan and others when things get complicated. Some weeks you'll be full of energy and others you'll need to take it easy.

The important thing is to realise that you don't have to face all those moments on your own.

This October, make the most of Mental Health Awareness Month to pay a little more attention to how you're feeling, look after your daily routines, connect with the people around you and find out about the resources Canvas has to offer.

Because looking after your well-being is also part of enjoying your university experience.