To coincide with World Mental Health Day (Wednesday, October 10th), Cardiff Met is encouraging students to access support from the University’s dedicated Student Services team through a new campaign entitled ‘Just Tell Us’.
[aoa id=”1″]The University has a team of expert professionals on hand to help normalise a wide range of student issues from mounting debt, to exam stress to housing issues to name but a few. The Student Wellbeing Team has doubled in size over the past year to meet demand, working closely with students to alleviate challenges and support those seeking help in relation to issues such as substance misuse, disability assistance and money worries. A dedicated Student Hardship Fund is available to offer practical support when needed and the team can guide students towards specific services such as funded dyslexia assessments or counselling.[/aoa]
The University’s Wellbeing Team actively encourages all students to talk about any worries – however small they perceive them to be and have comprehensive guidelines in place to assist personal tutors – often a student’s first point of contact – in re-assigning and referring students to the appropriate member of the Wellbeing Team for help and support.
The hard-hitting ‘Just Tell Us’ campaign materials distributed around the University’s Llandaff and Cyncoed campuses are two-fold – to highlight to students the level of service available to them while also removing any stigma potentially associated with any student problem – however big or small. Academics, colleagues and fellow students or friends are encouraged to discuss any concerns.
One Second Year Psychology student, who has benefitted from support from Cardiff Met’s Student Services team, said:
“I have received incredible mental health support here. I have been able to book regular appointments where I have received non-judgemental and compassionate support that has helped me not only through my studies but my personal life.
“I have worked with the same member of the team throughout my time here and she has taken the time to get to know me and build a level of trust. She has been my life saver.
“The student services team has been great with signposting me to further support. Knowing the support is there helps a lot and just dropping an email to the team on a bad day gives me the boost I need.”
Kirsty Palmer, Director of Student Services, said: “We hope this campaign will really emphasise how keen we are to hear from any students with worries or those concerned about the wellbeing of a friend or colleague. We urge them to get in touch and we are keen to remind personal tutors how critical they are in this process too.
“Many of these issues are perfectly normal and we can help if you tell us about them. Our Students don’t always realise how much practical support we can offer. We are here to help and these problems are important so don’t be afraid to contact us and talk about them. We admit students to the University and want to do our best to support them in staying here – if, of course, that is what they want to do.”
Ms Palmer continued: “We are very keen to identify needs as quickly as possible. Some worries can become co-occurring if not discussed and lead to further issues. Most of us struggle from time to time and we aim to normalize discussion and encourage our students to ask for help with practical assistance.”
