Mental Health

University life can be busy so it's important to protect our mental wellbeing. Help and support is available if you are struggling to cope, having difficulty sleeping or feeling low.

The University has several support services for students and you can find more information on these HERE.

Sometimes you might prefer to talk to or access support from someone outwith your place of study, and the services listed below can be useful for that:

External Support Service linked with the University:

• The Student Helpline offers 24/7 support from trained counsellors via phone, callback or live chat. UoA students also have access to their free wellbeing app, Spectrum.life where you can access wellbeing content and use the direct chat option.

Other External Support Serivces:

• BEAT offers free and confidential help via message boards, webchat and telephone for persons struggling with any eating disorder.
• Breathing Space is a service for people in Scotland which is provided via video chat and helpline. Allows you to talk through your feelings and concerns with mental health professionals.
• CALM offers a helpline / webchat available all year around for men who are facing difficulty and depressive thoughts.
• Cruise Bereavement Care is a free national helpline for people seeking someone to listen to them following a loss/bereavement.
• Penumbra is an Aberdeen Self Harm service providing one-on-one support to people over 16 years old who are struggling with self-harm via self-referral or referral from family/agencies.
• Prevent Suicide App provides helpful information for those affected in any way by suicide. It has extensive contact details for services in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire as well as providing users with the ability to create their own safety plan.
• Samaritans offer a free helpline and self-help app for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or are struggling to cope.
• Shout 85258 is a 24/7 text messaging support service for anybody to text when they may be struggling with anxiety, loneliness or depression through to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. The service is there 24/7 and you will get a reply within 5 minutes of your text. TEXT 85258.
• Students Against Depression offers information on how to spot depression and understand it. Provides resources allowing you to initiate self-help and create an action plan through a set of modules.
• Meridian Wellbeing (formerly the Chinese Mental Health Association) provide accessible services, activities and support that are designed to promote everyone's wellbeing including a Chinese Wellbeing Service where they offer bilingual support, services and activities for like minded people to socialise and manage their wellbeing.
• Four Pillars is an organisation based in Aberdeen providing support, advice and resources to the LGBT+ community