Wellbeing Support is available for all students throughout the year.
Wellbeing Adviser, Louise Gill, says: 'The Wellbeing service is here to support our students with anything that may be having an impact on their wellbeing. The aim of the Wellbeing service is for our students to feel listened to in a compassionate, respectful and empathetic way, facilitating solutions and additional resources and support where appropriate. The service hopes to help students feel that they regain their sense of wellbeing and potential to engage fully with their academic studies and student life.'
At any time if you feel you are struggling please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Students can access support by filling in a Wellbeing Service Self-Referral Form available HERE or by emailing wellbeing@qmu.ac.uk .
Appointments are available face to face on campus with Louise Gill or online, using Microsoft Teams, depending on your preference.
To access Microsoft Teams you can download the free Microsoft Team app onto your device.
Some examples of reasons students access the Wellbeing service....
Anxiety. Stress. Depressive illness/low mood. Drug and/or alcohol misuse. Disordered eating. Bereavement. Mental health deterioration/mental health diagnosis. Gambling addiction. Relationship difficulties. Disclosures and support related to sexual violence, assault, rape, domestic abuse. Academic concerns/course worries. Struggles with student life.
Whatever your concern is please do know that support is available to you from the Wellbeing service.
The Wellbeing Adviser can offer you support and guidance. They may also direct you to helpful resources, other support services within QMU and/or external support services.
Telephone artwork by QMU student Adriana Baraldi
Meet the Wellbeing Adviser
Our Wellbeing Adviser is Louise Gill. Louise manages the Student Wellbeing Service and Stay on Course Support. Louise Gill is based in the main campus building in Student Services.
Appointments with Louise Gill are available face to face on campus or online, using Microsoft Teams, depending on your preference.
To access Microsoft Teams you can download the free Microsoft Team app onto your device.
Watch an introductory video by Louise Gill about the wellbeing service
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.
In situations where we are concerned about a student’s welfare, we might extend confidentiality to your PAT and Programme Leader and with your consent we would like to be able to share concerns with your GP and Next of Kin.
There are some circumstances where we have to disclose information without your consent such as; if there is a requirement in law to disclose; or if it is considered that there is substantial risk of harm to you, or a third party if information is not disclosed.
The information that you share within Student Services will be treated confidentially and held by the University in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, General Data Protection Regulations 2018 and Queen Margaret University Data Protection Policy and Student Privacy Statement.
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. This can be done by a 'Subject Access Request'.
Urgent Support
If you find yourself or someone you know experiencing a Mental Health Crisis or emergency, please know that support is available:
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 including any mental health concerns you may have.
For students registered with a medical practice in East Lothian (including Riverside Medical Practice) you can:
- Call the CWIC service for mental health concerns to speak to a trained practitioner, for more information on mental health support from the CWIC service click HERE
NHS Emergency Mental Health Assessment 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.
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.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, violence, intimate partner violence, assault, rape or you feel that your own safety or someone else's is at risk PLEASE KNOW THERE IS SUPPORT AVAILABLE:
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
At any time if you or anyone else is in immediate danger please call the Police on 999.
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
Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
Counselling
Queen Margaret University counselling service
Crossreach Counselling services
Overall Wellbeing
Wellbeing Lothian support and resources from NHS on a variety of topics including panic attacks, anxiety, stress, sleep
iThrive - mental health and wellbeing support across Edinburgh
NHS Inform - Self Help guides for Mental health
Mental Health Information Station
The Mix
Additional Support Resources
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
LGBT Heatlh and wellbeing
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
Rape Crisis support for LGBTI Survivors
Lothian and Borders LGBT Police Surgery
MindOut - LGBTQ Mental Health Charity
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
Gambling Support
OCD/Anxiety support
Eating Disorders
BEAT - UK Eating Disorder Charity
SEDIG - Scottish Eating Disorder Interest Group
NHS Lothian Eating Disorder support
Mindfulness
Stay on Course Support
Stay on Course aims to provide rapid support to students who are experiencing difficulties in managing and coping with their academic studies.
Many factors may impact on a student's wellbeing, this may effect their 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 Wellbeing Adviser, Louise Gill offers students Stay on Course support.
This may lead to engaging with additional support from other student services such as Disability Services, Careers and Employability, Funding, Counselling and the Effective Learning Service. The Adviser may also suggest linking in to Community resources and support services external to QMU.
It may also be beneficial to link in with academic staff and/or the student's PAT.
Stay on Course offers students follow-up continued support as necessary.
HOW TO ACCESS SUPPORT
You may discuss with your PAT who can refer on you to Stay on Course on your behalf or you can make contact directly to arrange an appointment by emailing stayoncourse@qmu.ac.uk
or
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.
Staff Information
Staff may also refer students into the Wellbeing service for support.
It is best that staff discuss this with the student first, and if the student feels unable to access support directly themselves, staff can refer them to the Wellbeing service on the students' behalf, by emailing:
or
If you would like to discuss your concerns regarding a student with the Wellbeing adviser please do get in touch.
If you are very concerned regarding a students' wellbeing please do consult the Distressed Student Guide - a guide for University Staff HERE
Events and Groups
Mindfulness Weekly Drop in Sessions for Students and Staff starting 27th September 11am – 12pm via Zoom
Mondays 11.00am - 12.00 noon from 27th September
Led by Derek Goodman of Mindfullybeing
The practice of mindfulness is well known as an effective means of managing stress. The training involves exercising an appreciative awareness of the senses, the body and the breath so that we feel more naturally in tune with the present moment. Participants also learn how to view their thoughts and feelings from a broader, more open, perspective.
These drop in sessions are suitable for people new to mindfulness as well as more experienced practitioners. We will start each session with either a general introduction to the practice or with a reading or brief reflection to provide some inspiration, then meditate for about thirty or forty minutes and briefly discuss the experience.
Please see Zoom log in details below
Derek Goodman, of Mindfullybeing, is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Mindfulness at QMU
Time: Sep 27, 2021 11:00 AM London
Every week on Mon, until Dec 6, 2021, 11 occurrences
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88208618996?pwd=UW91RFZ3dTJmdndFSVkyVTl3ekNJZz09
Meeting ID: 882 0861 8996
Passcode: QMU_MIND
Compassion Focussed Workshops for Self Criticism
In this series of workshops, we will look at how and why we criticise ourselves and feel common anxieties or low self-esteem. We will see why Compassion Focussed Therapy can give us some useful tools when working with these thoughts. All sessions will be in person on campus.
Compassion?! !
Don’t worry – this isn’t touchy-feely nonsense! In Compassion Focussed Therapy, ‘compassion’ is wise, kind, courageous strong and pretty helpful.
Session 1, Wednesday the 20th October, 12.00-1.15pm:
We will look at the ‘tricky’ brain and why we can get into anxious or depressed loops in our thinking. We will think about how we are influenced by our surroundings. Session 2, Wednesday the 27th October, 12.00-1.15pm:
We will start to look at the self-critic and practice some imagery exercises around giving and receiving compassion and creating a place of safeness. Session 3, Wednesday the 3rd November, 12.00-1.15pm:
In our final session, we will do more imagery exercises and start to create a ‘Compassionate Being’ that can help you to manage difficult feelings. We will also get creative!
Expectations:
It is important that you come along to all three sessions so that the group is cohesive and we will be building on material from one week to the next. You will be able to share some of your own thoughts and experiences if you would like – but there is no pressure to do so.
Please bring an open mind and a readiness to listen to others with kindness.
These workshops are not a replacement for individual counselling and it is possible to attend the workshops alongside any other therapy that you are having. You might want to speak to your counsellor about this. Sophie and Konstantina, counsellors at QMU, will lead the workshops.
Book a place:
If you would like to book a place, email Sophie on smacleod@qmu.ac.uk giving your name and matriculation number. If you are interested but unsure, email Sophie anyway and she can answer any questions or concerns that you have.
All are welcome – whether you have had counselling with us previously, are currently having sessions or have never experienced counselling before. As mentioned – there is no obligation or expectation to share.
Spaces are limited.
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
"The Wellbeing Service is extremely helpful. I already feel less stressed, anxious and overwhelmed since meeting with the Adviser and accessing support."
Student Feedback
"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
"Thank you for helping me in learning to cope with myself and the world around. Thank you for the listening."
Student Feedback
"A safe space where I didn't feel pressured to say anything"
Student Feedback
"In my case, word of mouth from a person who experienced excellent service from the Wellbeing Service convinced me to address my problems. I can now thank the person who was enough brave to share its experience with me and hope that someday I can dare to do the same."
Student Feedback
"I always feel extremely welcomed, and that nothing is ever a burden. Excellent support and advice along with effective resources too. By far the most comfortable support I have had"
Student Feedback
"Had a really good experience with the Wellbeing service. Very quick response to emails and was given a lot of helpful advice and resources after my first meeting"
Student Feedback
Helpful Information
Student Space - support and information from Student Minds about all aspects of student life
Guide to Resilience
QMU Health and Wellbeing Links
Wellbeing walking routes near QMU
