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It is critical that researchers at whatever stage in their career develop the capacity and capability to generate an appropriate perspective on what they are facing. Put simply, and starkly, doing research depends on being well. As such, an awareness on health and wellbeing is central.
Below is a a list of UK based, external agencies and other resources for help with your wellbeing, in addition to these the NHS has a number of guides, resources and tools to help.
NHS Living WellThe Samaritans are also available 24/7 offering a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.
Talk to the Samaritans
They are broadly organised by topic or issue, the order within the lists has no significance.
Alcohol and drugs
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Club Drug Clinic is an NHS service helping people who are having problems with resulting from recreational drugs.
Club Soda offers various plans to help people be more mindful about their drinking.
Drinkline is a freephone helpline offering help and support on alcohol related issues. 0800 917 82 82.
Down your drink offers an online programme to help people cut down and control drinking, and
Drinkaware promotes responsible drinking and works to reduce alcohol misuse and harm in the UK.
Marijuana Anonymous supports people to recover from marijuana addiction.
Narcotics Anonymous a support network for addicts.
Talk to Frank is a 24 hour information and advice for anyone concerned about drug or solvent misuse. Run by the National Drugs Helpline.
Black and minority ethnic groups
Chinese Healthy Living Centre provides support for Chinese nationals living in the UK.
Karma Nirvana offers support to all victims of honour based abuse and forced marriage, and runs a Honour Network Helpline.
The Naz Project provides sexual health/HIV prevention and support services to Black and Minority Ethnic communities in London.
The Sharan Project offers advice and assistance to ethnic minority women, particularly of South Asian origin, who may need to leave home forcefully or voluntarily, with a focus on issues such as cultural conflict, forced marriage and violence.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) resources
CBT Psychology Tools is a website that includes a range of worksheets, thought restructuring exercises and other useful information and CBT tools.
Get Self Help provides links to external, private UK CBT practitioners.
The NHS have provided this helpful list of Mental Health Apps.
Contraception and pregnancy
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service can offer students advice and practical support in relation to contraception and pregnancy.
Domestic Violence
Freephone Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge
Eating problems
B-eat offers support and information as well as a telephone helpline for adults and young people with eating problems. B-eat also offers help for carers and professionals.
Anorexia & Bulimia Care (ABC) has 22 years of experience as a UK national eating disorder organisation. They provide information and advice to sufferers and their families.
Exercise
Free fitness suggestions from NHS Choices.
Healthy living guide from the British Heart Foundation.
Money Saving Expert tips on how to save money and find a gym membership (check with your employer or university, as they may also have special offers).
Park Run – organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in.
Turn your exercise or activity into a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Research UK and Alzheimer’s Society.
External and long-term therapy
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy list of private therapists and organisations offering free counselling.
Counselling Directory provides a counselling support network, enabling those in distress to find a counsellor close to them and appropriate for their needs. This is a free, confidential service. The website also contains a number of sections on emotional disorders (types of distress section) and provides some useful statistics.
Low cost psychotherapy can be arranged through the Member Organisations of the UKCP. This link will take you to organisations which offer low cost psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
The main United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy website has more information about therapy, and can link you to their list of private therapists.
AGIP has a clinic offering low fee therapy called the Fairbridge Clinic
Longer term group psychotherapy is available through the Institute of Group Analysis and The Women’s Therapy Centre
Financial and debt support
Citizens Advice – Full support and information about the services offered by Citizens Advice can be found on their website www.citizensadvice.org.uk, information about the specific advice they offer with regards to debt can be found on their website via the following link www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money
The Money Advice Service offer free and independent advice delivered through their website www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk and telephone service 0800 138 7777 (free phone number).
Step Change are a charity who offer free debt advicewith a solution focused approach. More information can be found on their website www.stepchange.org you can telephone them on 0800 138 1111.
Debt Remedy is a service offered through the charity Step Change whereby you can seek debt advice and support using their online tool Debt Remedy www.stepchange.org/Debtremedy
The Money Charity is the UK’s Financial Capability Charity. They provide help, support and information to help people make the most of their money through a proactive approach to money management and financial capability. More information can be found on their website www.themoneycharity.org.uk
National Debtline is a charity providing free, impartial and confidential debt advice via online services and telephone enquiries. More information can be found on their website www.nationaldebtline.org or by telephoning 0808 808 4000. A webchat service is also available.
National Union of Students (NUS) provide a range of services for students including information and advice, Information can be accessed online via on their website www.nus.org.uk. Specific information about student money matters and funding can be found via the following web link: www.nus.org.uk/en/advice
Gambling
Gamblers Anonymous offers the hand of friendship to anyone who is looking to try and stop gambling.
Healthy eating
Healthy student food recipes from the BBC Food website.
Eat Smart advice for students from the British Nutrition Foundation.
Healthy eating on a budget – guidance from UCAS.
Hypnosis
Listen to a 15-minute mp3 “Hypnosis for Anxiety“, by clicking on the mp3 link here.
International Students
UKCISA offer some useful advice on facing culture shock.
The Chinese Mental Health Association has a useful and informative website, and runs the a Helpline offering support and advice (0845 122 8660).
The Chinese National Healthy Living Centre (0845 601 6030) provides access to health services for the Chinese community, and takes an holistic approach to physical and psychological health.
Podcast from Dementia Researcher website ‘Working and Studying in the UK’
LGBTQ+
The London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard is helpline and information for gay and lesbian people.
The Pink Practice is a lesbian and gay counselling and psychotherapy service based in central London.
Imaan is a social support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Muslims, which offers advice and support through their website.
Transgender Support Groups lists support groups by area both in the UK and elsewhere in the world.
Mental health
CWMT Learning Portal developed by the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, this new e-learning package is designed to give non-specialist staff the skills, knowledge and confidence to offer a first line of support to students who may have mental health issues.
MIND is the UK’s national mental health charity. The Mind Infoline gets over 30,000 calls a year and helps with a range of mental health issues for both people with mental health problems or looking to support a friend or relative. They also offer help on issues such as medication and legal topics.
The National Union of Students provide a leaflet for good mental health tips for students.
Students Against Depression contains information, resources and accounts written by many different students.
Student Minds offer a range of mental health resources for university students.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has leaflets available on problems such as sleep, stress, drug abuse and information about the management of a range of different difficulties.
Have a look at this link to download free wellbeing podcasts on mindfulness, exercise, diet, relaxation, stress and anxiety https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Mobile apps for health and wellbeing
Headspace have a mobile app which makes practicing mindfulness much easier! Helping you learn easy techniques that you can transfer from the session into your everyday life. You can sign up for free on their Take 10 programme – just 10 minutes a day for 10 days.
https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app
Happify is an app for iOS aimed at developing skills in order to boost emotional wellbeing.
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/happify/id730601963?mt=8
Sexual assault
The Havens in London offer a range of medical, healthcare and emotional support for anyone who has been sexually assaulted.
Safeline established in 1994, Safeline is a specialised charity working to prevent and support those who have experienced sexual abuse* and to support those affected in their recovery. This includes working with people whose mental health issues (manifesting for example as self-harming) suggest that they may be vulnerable to abuse.
The Survivors Trust supporting and empowering survivors of rape, sexual violence and/or childhood sexual abuse.
Sexual health
Checkurself is an NHS-based, self-test for HIV, Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases. (STDs).
Good, safe sex tips from NHS Choices.
Stress management
Ten stress busters from NHS Choices.
How to manage stress from the Mental Health Foundation.
MIND the Mental Health Charity offers this helpful guide to managing stress.
The Open University has produced a useful guide on coping with exam stress.
Students and young people
Nightline offers confidential listening, support and a practical information service for student in London. It uses volunteers who are students and have undergone extensive training. They are open from 6:00 pm – 8:00 am every night of term.
The Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.
Study skills
Education corner has a useful set of proven tips and techniques for studying smarter… not harder.
Helpful toolkit from Skills You Need.
UK life
HOST UK is a charity that lets international students spend a day or weekend with a HOST family anywhere in the UK. Host UK provides a great way to get a sense of British culture and combat culture shock.
Violent crime
Victim Support: is a charity which offers free and confidential support for victims of crime. The charity also operates the Victim Support line on 0845 30 30 900. The line is open 9am – 9pm weekdays, 9am – 7pm weekends, 9am – 5pm on bank holidays.
We have not checked the information within these sites and cannot be held responsible for their content.
Adam Smith
NIHR