What is Mental Health?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as a state of wellbeing in which the individual realises their abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community.
We all have mental health, just as we have physical health. Our mental health is how we're feeling inside, or how we are emotionally. Our mental health is at least as important as our physical health. It strongly affects our daily lives, as well as our ability to do the things we need and want to, including study, work, getting on with people and looking after ourselves and others.
Good mental health
When our mental health is good, we feel good inside. We might feel calm or content, peaceful, hopeful and accepting of ourselves and valued by the people who matter to us. Having good mental health makes life easier. It helps us to calm and comfort ourselves when we’re upset, to cope with the losses, changes, fears and uncertainties in life, to make and keep good relationships with other people and to learn.
Having good mental health does not mean feeling good all the time. We all have our downs and ups. Life is full of unavoidable risks, worries and losses, which affect everyone. Sometimes difficult feelings pass quickly and we bounce back. Sometimes we struggle for much longer. This can happen to any of us.
Poor mental health
When our mental health is not so good, life feels more of a struggle. We might often feel sad or tearful, and hopeless and exhausted. We might feel under unbearable stress, or often worried about bad things happening to us or people we care about. All of these are very common experiences. Feeling down, anxious or stressed can mean we don’t have much energy for activities such as study or work, ‘life admin’ and looking after ourselves and others. It can be hard to keep going.
We all have mental health, just as we have physical health. Our mental health is how we're feeling inside, or how we are emotionally. Our mental health is at least as important as our physical health. It strongly affects our daily lives, as well as our ability to do the things we need and want to, including study, work, getting on with people and looking after ourselves and others.
Good mental health
When our mental health is good, we feel good inside. We might feel calm or content, peaceful, hopeful and accepting of ourselves and valued by the people who matter to us. Having good mental health makes life easier. It helps us to calm and comfort ourselves when we’re upset, to cope with the losses, changes, fears and uncertainties in life, to make and keep good relationships with other people and to learn.
Having good mental health does not mean feeling good all the time. We all have our downs and ups. Life is full of unavoidable risks, worries and losses, which affect everyone. Sometimes difficult feelings pass quickly and we bounce back. Sometimes we struggle for much longer. This can happen to any of us.
Poor mental health
When our mental health is not so good, life feels more of a struggle. We might often feel sad or tearful, and hopeless and exhausted. We might feel under unbearable stress, or often worried about bad things happening to us or people we care about. All of these are very common experiences. Feeling down, anxious or stressed can mean we don’t have much energy for activities such as study or work, ‘life admin’ and looking after ourselves and others. It can be hard to keep going.
Feeling like this for a while could be a sign that something else in our lives is wrong, or that we need help. It is also a natural reaction, if we’ve had a major loss or shock, such as bereavement, unemployment, divorce or a serious health problem. Some things are easier to change and some problems may be beyond our control. Sometimes we need help, with our mental health or with the situations causing us to struggle, for example, debts or relationship problems.
During a period of poor mental health we might find the ways we're frequently thinking, feeling or reacting are becoming difficult to cope with or having an impact on our normal daily activities.
What affects mental health?
Our mental health may change because of situations we’re in, things we’re doing and things beyond our control, including other people, our physical health, our finances and even the weather and world events such as conflict, the pandemic, atrocities, or humanitarian crises.
What affects mental health?
Our mental health may change because of situations we’re in, things we’re doing and things beyond our control, including other people, our physical health, our finances and even the weather and world events such as conflict, the pandemic, atrocities, or humanitarian crises.
All of us are affected by what happens to us, past and present. Things that happened even many years ago can affect our mental health today, for better or worse. Our genes also have an influence.
Whatever you are feeling, know that this is completely normal, and you can seek support or speak to family and friends about how you are feeling. Many people are reluctant to talk about their feelings and their mental health as there is still a stigma around it. Ironically, not sharing our feelings with anyone, or even knowing what they are, can make our mental health worse. Talking can help us find hope again, and feel closer to other people.
Whatever you are feeling, know that this is completely normal, and you can seek support or speak to family and friends about how you are feeling. Many people are reluctant to talk about their feelings and their mental health as there is still a stigma around it. Ironically, not sharing our feelings with anyone, or even knowing what they are, can make our mental health worse. Talking can help us find hope again, and feel closer to other people.
Common mental health problems for students include:
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear. We all experience anxiety at times however anxiety can become a mental health problem if it impacts on your ability to live your daily life. Common symptoms of anxiety may include feeling restless, difficulty concentrating, tense muscles, being irritable, or difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep.
Depression is persistently feeling sad or in a low mood for weeks or months. Depression may include losing interest and enjoyment in the things you normally enjoy, as well as lasting feelings of unhappiness or hopelessness. There can be physical symptoms too including difficulty sleeping, having no appetite or sex drive and feeling constantly tired.
The symptoms of depression range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms may be feeling persistently low in spirit whereas severe depression can include suicidal thoughts.
An eating disorder is a mental health condition where the control of food is used to cope with feelings or traumatic events. Unhealthy eating behaviours may include eating too much or too little, or worrying about weight or body shape.
Common symptoms of eating disorders include avoiding socialising when you think food will be involved, exercising too much, having very strict habits or routines around food and taking laxatives or vomiting after eating. There may also be physical signs too including feeling cold or dizzy, not getting your period, problems with digestion and feeling faint.
Substance misuse and self-harm are closely linked to mental health conditions.
I'm struggling with my mental health
Think
- Are you in immediate danger? You can contact the emergency services on 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone).
- Call 0800 129 9999 to contact the NHS Mental Health Crisis Team if you need urgent help, but it's not an emergency.
Talk
- Talk to someone you trust. Talking things through with someone can sometimes help. This could be a friend, family member or someone at City St George's.
- Student Welfare and Engagement Officers are first points of contact for any wellbeing or student experience related issues. Students can discuss any challenges or life-circumstances which may be affecting their wellbeing and ability to engage with their studies.
Report
- Students can report concerns using City St George’s Report + Support platform. You can choose to do this without providing your personal details or you can request support from an adviser by filling in the form with your contact details.
For students
Students can connect with staff across the University:
- Student Health and Wellbeing provide students with practical, emotional and specialist disability related support. Students can complete the e-referral form to access these services.
- Student Support Services are a multi-disciplinary team that provides support, expert advice and guidance to students. You can contact them through our Support@City platform
- The Chaplaincy Team offer pastoral support to everyone, welcoming every faith, belief and culture and students with no faith, and can be contacted directly.
- The SU Advice Service offer support for students who have experienced any form of harassment, bullying or sexual violence, either on campus, online or off campus. You can access support here.
Other sources of support
- PAPYRUS provide a confidential suicide helpline for young people and are available over the phone on 0800 068 4141. They also offer a text service on 07860 039967.
- Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line which is open 24/7.
- Student minds has a range of resources for students who want support for their own mental health or want to support a friend or loved one
- Nightline is a confidential listening and support service available to students in London. All volunteers are students and are specially trained to listen and provide support.
- Samaritans (116 123) provides 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide.
- Childline provides a confidential helpline for under 19s. You can call 0800 1111 to speak to counsellor, you can send them an email or log in for a 1-2-1 counsellor chat.
- The Mix offers support for under 25s on a range of topics and through different mechanisms such as a helpline, crisis messenger, one-to-one chat or counselling services.
Someone I know is struggling with their mental health
Talk
- Listen. Just taking the time to listen to someone and talk about what has happened to them can help. If someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you can encourage them to seek support. It’s important to listen to what they want to do and respect the decision they make. If they do not wish to seek support or report what has happened to them, you can ask them if you can make an report on their behalf without providing their personal details.
- Thank the person for the disclosure and acknowledge that you believe them.
- Give options. When they have finished talking ask them if they are okay to talk through some possible options and next steps. Remember, it is important that they decide what they want to do.
Report
- Students can report concerns using City St George's Report + Support platform. They can choose to do this without providing their personal details or they can request support from an adviser by filling in the form with their contact details.
Get Support
There are many ways to access support at City St George's and a number of external organisations that provide specialist support. You can encourage the person to access the support they need.
Your mental health and wellbeing
If you are supporting someone, make sure you look after yourself. If you’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling you, you may also want to access support for yourself.
- Vivup, City St George's Employee Assistance Provider (0800 023 9324) - Their telephone helpline provides staff members with expert support for life's ups and downs - 24/7, 365 days a year. Whatever mental, physical, financial or personal issue you're facing, you can find a wide range of resources to help you.
- The Wellbeing@City Hub provides details of additional information and support on wellbeing for staff members.
Student support and resources are available on the Student Health and Wellbeing pages on the Student Hub and students can complete the e-referral form to access these services. Students can also seek support through Student Support Services or contact staff in the Chaplaincy Team directly. Students can also access additional support through the Students’ Union.