Your mental health and wellbeing
We provide a range of mental health and wellbeing services that all students at Stirling can benefit from.
Student services hub
Contact the Student Services Hub so they can direct you to the most appropriate service or give you more information about the support you can get during your studies.
Mental health team
Our mental health advisers provide comprehensive, specialist support to all current students who want to talk about their mental health, including those students with a diagnosed mental health condition.
Counselling
Counselling is a talking therapy which gives you the opportunity to explore issues which are causing you concern or distress. We offer One at a Time Counselling, which means we focus on the most significant issue for you at the time of your session.
24/7 Student Support helpline
All students have 24/7 access to Spectrum.Life's free confidential helpline that provides in-the-moment emotional wellbeing support.
Out of hours and emergency support
Student Support staff are available 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday (except on public holidays and University closure days).
Outside of these hours, you are not alone – there is a lot of support available to you.
In an emergency
A situation can be regarded as an emergency if it requires an immediate response and/or the individual will not accept help or is at risk of causing harm to themselves or to others. Examples of this are when an individual has made a suicide attempt, is behaving violently, or is badly injured.
Off-campus
In an emergency where an Ambulance, Police or Fire are required you should call 999 for emergency services.
On campus
In an emergency where an Ambulance is required, you should call 999 and then alert Security by calling extension 7999 from an internal phone or 01786 467999 from mobile phone.
In an emergency where Police or Security are required, you should call University Security on extension 7999 an internal phone or 01786 467999 from a mobile phone.
On campus (including off-campus University Accommodation) there are a number of reception desks staffed 24 hours a day, please see below for contact numbers:
- Beech Court: 01786 466972
- Juniper Court: 01786 466985
- Alexander Court: 01786 466094
- Andrew Stewart Hall: 01786 466960
- John Forty's Court: 01786 466977
- Union Street: 01786 466978
Concerned for your own mental health or the mental health of others?
There are a wide range of organisations that can provide professional help and advice for your mental health and emotional wellbeing.
When faced with a person in distress it is important to stay calm, listen and adopt a non-judgemental approach.
NHS
If you have concerns for your own mental health or emotional wellbeing we encourage you to make an appointment to talk to your GP about how you feel.
Outside of GP opening hours you can contact NHS 24 by calling 111.
24/7 Student Support Helpline
You can call the 24/7 Student Support helpline on 0800 031 8227. It's a free, confidential service that provides in-the-moment emotional wellbeing support to all students.
You can also register for the Spectrum.Life wellbeing platform or download the app for access to a wide range of wellbeing content. Find out more about Spectrum Life.
Helplines
Samaritans
Call: 116 123
Samaritans can offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like about whatever’s getting to you – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Breathing Space
Call: 0800 83 85 87
Breathing Space are a free, confidential phone service for anyone in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Mind
Phone: 0300 102 1234
Mind provide advice and support to empower you if you are experiencing a mental health problem.
Shout
Text ‘Shout’ to 85258
Free 24/7 text service that provides an anonymous conversation for anyone in crisis. Offers a safe space where you are listened to by a trained crisis volunteer.
Papyrus HOPELINE247
Call: 0800 068 4141
Papyrus UK is a charity for the prevention of young suicide in the UK. Call if you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or are concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.
Self help resources
There's also a huge number of self help resources such as websites and mobile apps that you may find useful.
Go to our list of useful websites, apps and phone lines.
Support if you live in University accommodation
If you live in University accommodation (on or off campus) there are a number of reception desks staffed 24 hours a day. Accommodation Operations Assistants are there for students to talk to, no matter what time of day or night. Please see below for contact numbers:
- Beech Court: 01786 466972
- Juniper Court: 01786 466985
- Alexander Court: 01786 466094
- Andrew Stewart Hall: 01786 466960
- John Forty's Court: 01786 466977
- Union Street: 01786 466978
Contact Student Support Services
There are many different ways you can get in touch for mental health and wellbeing support from Student Support Services.
Wellbeing
We want you to thrive at Stirling and make the most of the opportunities and support available to
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Loch View Wellbeing Suite
Visit our tranquil wellbeing space. Decompress and relax with a book, art supplies, comfortable beanbag chairs, weighted blankets, sensory toys and much more.
Drop-in anytime from 9:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday.
Confidentiality and data sharing
We respect the privacy of everyone who uses our University Support Services. Read our full documentation on confidentiality and data sharing.
How to support students as a staff member
Staff can find further information on supporting our students within our dedicated site.