Wellbeing Service

Our Wellbeing Adviser is Laura Dickson. Laura is managing the Wellbeing Service and the Stay-on-Course Programme.

The Stay-on-Course Programme aims to provide rapid support to those students.

If students experience wellbeing issues, including mental ill health, they can become withdrawn, disengaged and isolate themselves from student life, which can make it difficult for support to be provided to them.

Specifically, the Stay-on-Course aims at:

•  increased attendance of classes;
•  increased progression and retention;
•  improved student experience and satisfaction.

How it works

Stay-on-Course Team will engage with students who have self-referred or been referred to the Programme and offer them individual support. Each student will be routinely invited for a one-to-one appointment with a Stay-on-Course team member.

During the appointment, they will work with the student to develop a Stay-on-Course Plan that will list all the issues that the student has identified and suggest steps to address these. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as guided self help, general help from the Stay-on-Course Team, professional help from QMU staff (including the Disability Services and/or Counselling) or external help (GP, NHS, etc.).

The Stay-on-Course team member will follow up with students and support them to act on their Stay-on-Course Plan. They will keep an individual case record and, with the consent of the student, may share some of the information with Exam Boards (e.g. in support of extenuating circumstances application), the Personal Academic Tutor (e.g. if additional academic support is needed) and/or other QMU staff/departments, as appropriate.

The Stay-on-Course Team will support the student to access any other QMU support services, including Student Services Units, Effective Learning Service, et

For Students

IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO STAY-ON-COURSE

If you are finding it difficult to Stay-on-Course with your studies, your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) can offer you academic support and/or direct you to the most appropriate student support service. The Stay-on-Course Team offer support to students who need help to get back on track with their studies and student life.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

STEP 1 Your PAT might refer you to the team or you can contact us directly to arrange an appointment.

STEP 2 At the appointment you will meet with one of the team to discuss any issues or difficulties you might have and what support is available. We will help you build a Stay-on-Course Plan to follow.

STEP 3 We will keep in touch with you to help you follow your Stay-on-Course Plan.

STEP 4 With your consent, we will keep your PAT/School up to date with the progress you are making on the Stay-on-Course Plan, so they can offer you extra academic help, if you need it.

STAY-ON-COURSE! Once you are back on track and things improve for you, we will still keep in contact occasionally, to offer friendly encouragement and to ensure that you continue to progress in your studies.

You can also contact us at any time by emailing stayoncourse@qmu.ac.uk

For Staff

We know that there are students who find it difficult to Stay-on-Course but do not seek help or support. As a result, their academic performance often begins to suffer. We are eager to offer such students early support, which could help them to quickly recover and Stay-on-Course, so the risk of them failing the module, the year, or their studies is reduced. Let us help you to help your students Stay-on-Course! IF YOU become aware that a student may benefit or is in need of support, AND the case does not clearly require support and referral to any of the specialised Student Support units (such as Counselling, Effective Learning Service, Disability Services, Student Funding etc.) LET US KNOW*, so we can:

• invite the student for a chat
• assess what type of support they need
• work with them to put together an individualised Stay-on-Course Plan
• help them follow the Stay-on-Course Plan and get back on track
• keep you informed of their progress regarding the above, with their consent
• securely record the information, so the exam boards and/or the student can make use of it, should that be required.

By putting the needs of the student at the centre, and working in cooperation with you, we can help them Stay-on-Course! * The student must always be asked for their consent to be referred for support. Students can also contact the Stay-on-Course Team directly. Contact: stayoncourse@qmu.ac.uk

Need help now?

If you find yourself or someone you know experiencing a Mental Health Crisis or emergency, please know that support is available. Call one of the following numbers:

Call 999 if you or someone you know experiences an acute life-threatening medical or mental health emergency.

Contact NHS 24 – Free phone: 111

Book an emergency GP appointment - Your GP holds overall health responsibility.  You may wish to make an appointment with them.

NHS Emergency Mental Health Assessment (same day) can be available through contacting the Mental Health Assessment Service on 0131 537 6000.  This is a self-referral service and is based in the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Place so you can contact the service directly.

Penumbra run The Edinburgh Crisis Centre and they can be contacted directly on 0808 801 0414 if you want to discuss a mental health crisis.

Website: www.edinburghcrisiscentre.org.uk

Other information regarding services for people who are experiencing mental health difficulties can be accessed through Edspace.

Website: http://edspace.org.uk/need-help-now/

Listening services:

Breathing Space Helpline Free phone: 0800 83 85 87

Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 6pm to 2am

Weekend: Friday 6pm – Monday 6am

Website: www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk

Samaritans Free phone: 116 123 - National Line (24/7)

Website: www.samaritans.org email jo@samaritans.org

The Wellbeing Adviser will run Psychoeducational Groups and Workshops throughout the year; for information about specific starting dates please contact the Wellbeing Adviser at wellbeing@qmu.ac.uk.

Each psychoeducational group consists of four one hour sessions that will take place once per week. It is important that you commit to all of the sessions as this will help you get the most out of the group.

• Starting University
• Building Confidence
• Mindfulness, Self-Compassion and Resilience

Aim of the groups:

The aim for each of the groups is to explore the issues that are related to these areas of university life and understand how they affect you. We will discuss strategies for managing the areas of your life that you want to improve through practical exercises and handouts.

Groups will not be:

• Therapy-style groups
• A formal presentation of the issues presented
• Offering quick-fix solutions

Workshops

The workshops consist of one-off session in which you can explore strategies for managing the following issues:

• Dealing with procrastination
• Relaxation
• Managing exam stress

Mental Health Crisis:

Mental Health Crisis support:
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20081/mental_health_and_addiction/330/mental_health_crisis_support

Mental Health Assessment Service:
http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/A-Z/MentalHealthAssessmentService/Pages/default.aspx

The Edinburgh Crisis Centre
http://www.edinburghcrisiscentre.org.uk/wordpress/

Listening services:

Breathing Space Helpline Free phone: 0800 83 85 87
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 6pm to 2am
Weekend: Friday 6pm – Monday 6am
Website: www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk

Samaritans Free phone: 116 123 - National Line (24/7) 
Website:  www.samaritans.org, email jo@samaritans.org

Edinburgh Night line: 0131 557 4444 - (8pm and 8am every night of term)
Website: http://ednightline.com/

Counselling:

Queen Margaret University Counselling service
https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/student-services/counselling-service/

The Edinburgh Counselling Agencies List website provides details of an array of low cost, free, and private counselling, for general and issue specific needs and different time frames (long term, short term).
http://edinburghcounsellingagencies.co.uk/

Edspace: Edinburgh online source of mental health and wellbeing information – Counselling
http://edspace.org.uk/service/counselling-and-therapies/

Counselling in Musselburgh: CHANGES Community Health Project.
https://changeschp.com/

Telephone Counselling: The Mix – Essential support for under 25s
http://www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team/telephone-counselling

Overall Wellbeing

Edspace: Edinburgh online source of mental health and wellbeing information
http://edspace.org.uk/

Mental Health Information Station:
http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/A-Z/MentalHealthInformationStation/Pages/default.aspx

Five ways to Wellbeing:
http://www.southerntrust.hscni.net/pdf/5_Ways_to_Wellbeing_Booklet.pdf
 
Ten keys to happier living guidebook:
http://www.actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-guidebook

Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Trust have created a series of booklets that can support you in managing your mental health.
https://web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/

Specific issues

Please note: This material is presented for orientation, and cannot be considered a substitute for professional assistance

Stress

NHS resources:

Moodzone

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/low-mood-stress-anxiety.aspx

Moodzone Podcasts

http://www.nhs.uk/Video/Pages/anxiety-control-training-podcast.aspx?searchtype=Tag&searchterm=Mental%2520health__Moodzone&

Stress Moodjuice Self-help guide:
http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/Stress.asp

Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Trust self-help guide:
https://web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/leaflets/Stress%20A4%202016%20FINAL.pdf

Tips for managing your stress
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/time-management-tips.aspx

Tips to reduce stress
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/reduce-stress.aspx

The UK mental-health charity Mind provide guidance on maintaining mental health as a student
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/student-life/student-life-and-mental-health/?o=6868#.WddjfprfPbh

Steps for stress: A simple guide to stressing less and enjoying life more & Relaxation CD
http://www.stepsforstress.org/

Coping with depression:

Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Trust self-help guide for depression and low mood:
https://web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/leaflets/Depression%20and%20Low%20Mood%20A4%202016%20FINAL.pdf

Students Against Depression:
http://studentsagainstdepression.org/
 
Moodjuice Self help guide for Depression:
http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/Depression.asp

Coping with Self-Harm:

Penumbra, one of Scotland’s mental health charities provides informal emotional support for people who self-harm as well as their families and carers:
http://www.penumbra.org.uk/services/

The UK mental-health charity Mind offers information and support for coping with self-harm:
http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-harm/about-self-harm/#.WN4x-ziQzbi

Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Trust self-help guide for coping with self-harm
https://web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/leaflets/Self%20Harm%20A4%202016%20FINAL.pdf

Coping with bereavement:

Cruse Bereavement Care
http://www.cruse.org.uk/

Self help guide for Bereavement:
http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/Bereavement.asp

Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Trust self-help guide for coping with bereavement
https://web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/leaflets/Bereavement%20A4%202016%20FINAL.pdf

Mindfulness:

QMU Contemplative practices and mindfulness meditation
https://www.qmu.ac.uk/current-students/cap/mindfulness/
 
Mindfulness NHS:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/mindfulness.aspx

The information you choose to share within the meeting with the Wellbeing Adviser will be treated as confidential.

However, the Wellbeing Adviser is part of QMU Students Services therefore with your consent your attendance and information may be shared with other Student Services staff to ensure you receive the most effective support. This includes Extenuating Circumstances requests.

The Wellbeing Adviser will not discuss you with anyone outside the Student Services team except in the following circumstances:

• Where the Wellbeing Adviser has the express consent of the student to disclose the information
• Where the Wellbeing Adviser believes the student or third party is in serious danger
• Where the Wellbeing Adviser would be liable to civil or criminal court procedure if the information was not disclosed

Data Protection and Record Keeping

The service works according to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Notes taken during the meeting with the Wellbeing Adviser may record background information and key issues worked on in the session. These will vary in length and detail. Points of concern are also noted.

The notes are stored securely within the Wellbeing Adviser’s office and are kept for a period of five years.

Access to notes

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, students have a right of access to all notes kept on them by the Wellbeing Adviser.

Liaison and correspondence

With the express permission of the student it may be appropriate for the Wellbeing Adviser to liaise with, or write to, a third party - for example a personal tutor or GP. In the case of telephone calls, the purpose of the call, and the nature and extent of the information to be given will be agreed with the student prior to the call. Requests for evidence should be discussed with the Wellbeing Adviser.