Wellbeing Support continues for students whether on campus or studying at home/online.
Students can access support by emailing wellbeing@qmu.ac.uk . Louise Gill the Wellbeing Adviser is now able to offer face-to-face appointments on campus or if online remote support is your preference you can arrange an appointment using Microsoft Teams. You can download the free Microsoft Team app onto your device.
Our Wellbeing Service offers support for your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing and facilitates building up resilience and coping strategies to support your journey through University. If you are struggling please do reach out for advice and support.
If you have concerns around Coronavirus and returning to University and/or studying online please access the following helpful webpages:
Queen Margaret University advice for students and the Coronavirus
Coronavirus and your Wellbeing - Mind
A guide to living with Worry and Anxiety amidst Global Uncertainty
What to do if you are feeling anxious about Coronavirus - YoungMinds
Effective Learning Service Advice and Support with your studies
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC ABUSE, VIOLENCE, SEXUAL VIOLENCE, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, ASSAULT, RAPE or feel that your own safety or someone else's is at risk PLEASE KNOW THERE IS SUPPORT AVAILABLE just click on the following links....
QMU Advice and Support for Sexual Harassment and Violence
Womens Aid Safety Advice for Survivors during Coronavirus/Covid-19
Edinburgh Womens Aid Support during Coronavirus/Covid-19
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Scotlands Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
Galop - LGBT+ Anti Violence Charity Support during Coronavirus
Click - support and advice for women selling or exchanging sex
IF YOU FEEL AT IMMEDIATE RISK PLEASE CONTACT:
- Police Scotland - In an emergency always call 999
To access support with our Wellbeing Adviser, Louise Gill you can email: wellbeing@qmu.ac.uk
It is always better to access support sooner rather than later. If at any time you are starting to struggle or would like to talk things through with the Wellbeing Adviser please do access the service.
What are some reasons that students access the Wellbeing Service For?
- Anxiety, Stress, Low Mood
- Drug and/or Alcohol Misuse
- Eating Disorders
- Bereavement
- Deteriorating Mental Health
- Relationship worries
- Disclosures of Sexual violence, assault, rape, domestic abuse
- Academic Concerns
- General health and wellbeing concerns
Meetings with the Wellbeing Adviser are confidential (please see Confidentiality policy for more details). The Wellbeing Adviser may direct you to helpful resources, other support services within QMU and/or external support services. Please access our further help and resource information on this page.
Telephone artwork by QMU student Adriana Baraldi
Drop In Sessions *These are currently unavailable due to the Coronavirus Restrictions - students can email 'wellbeing@qmu.ac.uk' to contact the Wellbeing Adviser to arrange either a face-to-face appointment or online Microsoft Teams Appointment.
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Who is the Wellbeing Adviser
Our Wellbeing Adviser is Louise Gill. Louise manages the Student Wellbeing Service and Stay-on-Course Support. Louise is based in Student Services.
Stay-on-Course - How it Works
Stay on Course aims to provide rapid support to students who are experiencing difficulties in managing and coping with their academic studies.
If students experience personal issues, including mental health issues, this can impact on their wellbeing and ability to engage and cope with their academic studies.
Specifically, Stay on Course aims to promote:
- class attendance
- course progression and achievement
- student experience and satisfaction.
How it works
The Stay on Course Adviser will engage with students who have self-referred or been referred to offer them individual support. The Wellbeing Adviser, Louise Gill offers students Stay on Course support.
The adviser will meet with the student to discuss their concerns and together work through steps to address these. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as guided self help, resources and advice from the Stay on Course Adviser, support from other Student Services Advisers (such as Disability Services, Careers and Employability, Funding support) or University services such as Effective Learning Service. The Adviser may also suggest linking in to Community resources and support services.
The Stay-on-Course Adviser will offer students follow-up continued support. They will keep an individual case record and with the consent of the student, may link in with appropriate academic staff and/or other QMU staff/departments.
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 offers 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 Stay on Course or you can make contact directly to arrange an appointment by emailing stayoncourse@qmu.ac.uk or please fill in a Stay-on-Course Self Referral Form - to access this please click on this link and sign in to Student Central
STEP 2 At the appointment you will meet with the adviser to discuss any issues or difficulties you might be experiencing. The adviser will offer you advice and guidance to respond to your concerns.
STEP 3 You will be offered ongoing support to monitor your progress and help you to stay on track with your studies and student life.
STEP 4 With your consent, we will keep your PAT/Academic staff informed of your progress.
STAY-ON-COURSE Once you are back on track and things improve for you, we will keep in contact 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 are struggling but do not seek help or support. As a result, their academic performance may 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 to Stay on Course.
- invite the student for a chat
- assess what type of support they need
- work with them to support their individual needs
- help them to get back on track
- keep you informed of their progress regarding the above, with their consent
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.
Other information regarding services for people who are experiencing mental health difficulties can be accessed through Edspace
Listening services
Breathing Space Helpline
Free phone: 0800 83 85 87
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 6pm to 2am, Friday 6pm – Monday 6am
breathingspace.scot
Samaritans
Free phone: 116 123 - National Line
Open 24/7
Email: jo@samaritans.org
samaritans.org
Edinburgh Night Line
Confidential Support for Students 8pm-8am term-time. Tel: 0131 557 4444
Events and Groups
Weekly 'virtual' Mindfulness Sessions, for students and staff, register on 'develop@qmu.ac.uk'
Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
Mental Health Crisis
Mental Health Assessment Service
East Lothian 1st Response Crisis Service - Tel: 07966 526452
Listening Services
Breathing Space Helpline
Free phone: 0800 83 85 87
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 6pm to 2am, Friday 6pm – Monday 6am
breathingspace.scot
Samaritans
Free phone: 116 123 - National Line
Open 24/7
Email: jo@samaritans.org
samaritans.org
Edinburgh Night Line
Phone: 0131 557 4444
Opening hours: 8pm to 8am term-time
ednightline.com
Counselling
Queen Margaret University 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).
edinburghcounsellingagencies.co.uk
Edspace is Edinburgh online source of mental health and wellbeing information.
Edspace: Counselling and Therapies
For counselling in Musselburgh:
CHANGES Community Health Project
Overall Wellbeing
Edspace: Edinburgh online source of mental health and wellbeing information
NHS Inform - Self Help guides for Mental health
Mental Health Information Station
Ten keys to happier living guidebook
Specific issues
Please note: This material is presented for orientation, and cannot be considered a substitute for professional assistance.
LGBTQ+ Specific Support
LGBT Helpline Scotland - The helpline is open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 12:00-9:00pm. Just call 0300 123 2523. Or email helpline@lgbthealth.org.uk
check out LGBT Health’s website
Lothian Transgender Support Programme, please contact Jules Stapleton Barnes on 0131 523 1104 or by email: jules@lgbthealth.org.uk
LGBT Youth Scotland - for ages up to 25 years
LGBT Headspace: Mental Health and Wellbeing for LGBT people in Edinburgh
LGBT Spiritual Space: A supportive space to discuss identity and spirtualism
Scotland's organisation for Bisexuals and people who think they might be Bi:
Rape Crisis support for LGBTI Survivors
Lothian and Borders LGBT Police Surgery
Stress
Stress: Moodjuice self-help guide
Coping with depression
Depression: Moodjuice self-help guide
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: penumbra.org.uk
The UK mental-health charity Mind offers information and support for coping with self-harm.
Coping with Anxiety
Coping with bereavement
Self-help guide for Bereavement
Mindfulness
Confidentiality
The information you choose to share with the Wellbeing Adviser will be treated as confidential. The Wellbeing Adviser is part of the Student Services team.
Relevant information may be shared with other Student Services team members to ensure you receive the most effective and co-ordinated support. Your consent will be sought to share information with other University Staff or Third Parties.
The Wellbeing Adviser will share information without your consent if any of the following apply:
- 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 2018.
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. These are stored securely and password protected.
Access to notes
Under the Data Protection Act 2018, students accessing the Wellbeing Service have the right to access all information held about them by the Wellbeing Service.
Liaison and correspondence
There may be occasions when it is appropriate for the Wellbeing Adviser to share information regarding the Student with a Third Party, for example, their GP. On these occasions the Wellbeing Adviser will ask for the Student's consent to share information. Exceptions would arise if the Wellbeing Adviser believes the student or a third party to be in danger or if the Wellbeing Adviser would be liable to civil or criminal court procedure if the information was not disclosed.
Voluntary Mental Health and Wellbeing Self-Assessment Tool
If you would like to assess your own 'Mental Health and Wellbeing' please click this link - the form is entirely voluntary and anonymous.
Wellbeing Service
Show Contacts
"The Wellbeing Service has been vital to me in the past few days, I would advise anyone needing guidance and someone to talk to, to access this service."
Student Feedback
November 2019
"The Wellbeing Service is extremely helpful. I already feel less stressed, anxious and overwhelmed since meeting with the Adviser and accessing support."
Student Feedback
November 2019
"I wish I had gone to the Wellbeing Adviser sooner. I felt like my world was falling apart, I felt so alone and overwhelmed. The Adviser immediately helped me feel not alone and supported."
Student Feedback
November 2019
Helpful Information
Guide to Resilience
Health and Wellbeing Links
Wellbeing walking routes near QMU
