How to Take Care of Your Mental Health as a Student?

How to Take Care of Your Mental Health as a Student? By focusing on your daily physiological needs, timetable and stress you can build on these basics and prevent any issues from becoming worse. Don’t forget that mental health problems are common among students, but with the right mindset and the right tools, you can overcome them. In this series, we’ve already discussed why mental health crisis is important to recognise as a student and what factors make students vulnerable to these problems. We have also discussed ways of identifying symptoms and indicators of mental health issues at university. Now, let’s shift our focus to where you can access help, how you can maintain your mental wellbeing, and how you can provide support for your friends who may be experiencing similar challenges. Remember, you are not alone, and there is always hope.

What help is available?

It can be challenging to deal with mental health issues, but there are always several sources of help available in the UK. The most significant difficulty with mental health problems is that the more severe they become, the higher the chances of losing insight into the problem. This means that you may not realise how much you are struggling, and you might even be unaware that you have a severe mental disorder. Therefore, it is crucial to seek help early, while you are still aware of your issues and are in control of your actions.

If you are unsure about where to go for help at university, you can always turn to people you already know, such as your family. Tell them precisely how you feel and begin keeping a journal to track your progress. You can also inform your friends or flatmates about how you are feeling.

Regardless of your location in the UK, you have access to certain essential medical services, including:

General practitioner or family doctor (GP)
Accident and emergency department at your local hospital
The NHS helpline which can be reached by dialing 111
In addition, there are various online or phone-based helplines available
You can find a comprehensive list of such helplines by visiting Mind website.

If you are struggling with mental health issues, it’s important to know that there are resources available both in your country and at your university. As a first step, you should contact general health services to get the help you need. These services are not specifically for mental health, but they can still provide valuable support.

After accessing these general health services, you can reach out to your university’s well-being and counselling services. If you’re not sure where to find them, ask your tutor or student services for assistance. Once you’ve made contact with the well-being and counselling service, let them know about your difficulties and any previous steps you’ve taken to address them. They can connect you with counsellors, GPs, or specialised mental health services that are available to students.

Some universities also have student-led services that you can approach for help. In addition, many universities and GP services offer online self-help resources that you can access from your phone or computer.

To summarise, if you’re struggling with mental health issues, start by contacting general health services and then move on to specialist services. General health services include general practice or university well-being and counselling services, as well as online self-help resources. Specialist help can be accessed via 111, GP, local psychological therapy services or adult mental health services, which can often be self-referred.

It is important to note that there are several services and resources available, especially in the UK, to help you overcome any difficulties you may be facing. Therefore, it’s advisable to seek help as early as possible to make it easier and more effective for you to find the right kind of support and overcome your challenges.

8 Steps to take care of your mental health as a student

As a student, it’s crucial to take care of your mental health in various ways. Most of these methods can be done independently without requiring access to any health service. Failing to do so could lead to future difficulties, which is why it’s important not to overlook them. These techniques are generally straightforward and require no further explanation.

1.Daily physiological routines

The first step to take care of your mental health as a student is to make sure that you’re following your body’s physiological needs. This includes regular mealtimes, hydration, and a good sleep schedule. Secondly, try to maintain a consistent wake-up and bedtime routine to help your body stay in sync. Lastly, don’t forget to add some physical activity or exercise to your daily routine – it will help you feel your best and keep your mind sharp!

2.Create a timetable that works for you

Are you struggling to find time for everything you need to do? Let’s create a timetable that works for YOU! Take into account your physiological routines and make sure you have enough time for all your important activities. From studying to necessary chores, rest, socializing, fun, and even reflecting on your personal diary or spiritual/religious beliefs, you need to cover it all. And don’t worry, if you are struggling to find time then you can eliminate or limit time-wasting activities like watching TV or scrolling through social media to create more time for the things that matter most to you. This doesn’t need to be complicated so keep it simple and Let’s get started!

3.Manage Stress

We all get stressed. It’s part of life. But ignoring it can cause problems. Watch for early signs and monitor stress. Identify what stresses you and what helps you cope. Be proactive and manage stress before it becomes overwhelming. Check out our post on why stress is important.

4.Identify and address specific stress-causing issues

Identify and address specific stressors. Seek help from tutors for studying, manage time properly, and consult family or university student support for financial concerns.

5.Never suffer in silence

Talk to someone you trust about your difficulties. This could be a family member, friend, or flatmate.
Venting can help manage stress, so it’s okay to get things off your chest.
Remember that it’s okay to ask for help. Seeking professional help is always an option.
Isolation can make mental health difficulties worse, so try to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling.
Take care of yourself and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help.

6.Achievements

Set small and achievable goals for yourself based on the strategies mentioned above. Whether it’s jogging for 15 minutes every day or writing one page of your assignment, each goal should be celebrated once accomplished. Create a to-do list for studying, chores, and stress management activities and mark each item as you complete it. Remember that during a 3-year course, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and doubt your progress, but by breaking it down into smaller goals, you can make progress every semester, week, and day. Think about your goals in different areas of your life, such as academics, personal life, and exercise, and work towards achieving them.

7.Tackle unhealthy habits

It can be tough to deal with difficult situations alone, so don’t hesitate to turn to the people you trust for support. Remember that you’re not alone in this. If you’re struggling with bad habits, consider making a pact with a friend to quit together. And if you find that you need more help, don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional, like a local alcohol or substance misuse service. Above all, be kind to yourself and avoid self-sabotage. It’s easy to get distracted by activities that don’t add value to your life, like spending too much time on social media or lying in bed all day. But instead of beating yourself up, try to focus on what you can do today to move forward and take care of yourself.

8.Act on early warning signs

Recognising warning signs of mental health problems or feeling unwell is an indication that you need professional help. It’s crucial to continue implementing the strategies while waiting for an appointment. Don’t procrastinate seeking help as waiting lists for appointments can be long. In the meantime, confide in your family and friends about your struggles and set small, achievable goals. It’s essential to focus on improving your psychological routines as described above. Remember, taking care of your mental health should be a top priority, and there is no shame in seeking help.

How do I help a friend who is struggling?

Mental health difficulties usually do not occur suddenly. They tend to develop gradually and worsen if not addressed. As a friend, you can maintain regular contact with them. This way, you will be able to understand their typical mental state and recognise any changes. You can identify changes in their mood, behaviour, and stress levels, or if their thought patterns are becoming more negative.

As a friend, you are in a great position to make them aware of the changes you have noticed and use this opportunity to talk to them about their mental health and stress in general.
You can then check in with them more frequently and discuss again if you notice further deterioration.
You can advise them to speak to their family, university or college counselling and support staff. You can do more of the stress relieving and fun activities together.
You can also do some of the chores together (e.g. shopping for groceries) so that you can continue to support your friends and create a relationship where they feel more comfortable talking to you.
If you are seriously concerned about their mental health, e.g. if they start making bizarre statements that are out of keeping with their usual behaviour or talk about suicidal thoughts then encourage them to seek formal mental health support and perhaps go with them and help them get the help they need.
If you do not know what to do then you can confidentially speak to your university support team or seek confidential advice from 111 or the local mental health crisis team.

Conclusion

As a student, you have the power to take control of your mental health and well-being. University life is full of opportunities for growth and independence, but it’s important to acknowledge the mental health challenges that can arise. By optimising your routines, becoming mindful of your thoughts, behaviours, and moods, and seeking help early, you can proactively manage your mental health and prevent or reduce potential difficulties. Remember, by taking action at the first signs of trouble, you can overcome challenges and thrive. Always be prepared and familiarise yourself with the mental health resources available at your university, so you can stay healthy and focused on your goals.

Educate yourself about mental health and stress, and share what you learn. Save this post to refer to it later. The internet provides plenty of information on recognising and managing stress.
Track your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours through journaling to better understand your mind and prevent mental health issues.
Harness the incredible power of your adaptable brain to focus on improving your habits. Remember that your habits can either propel you forward or hold you back, so choose wisely and #BeRsilient.
Don’t get overwhelmed by the future. Focus on daily achievements. Set a goal for each day and take it one step at a time.
We are social creatures. Seek out hobbies, join clubs, and participate in activities to make friends and boost happiness. Remember to be a good friend and help others along the way.
Now you know how to take care of your mental health as a student. In the comments below, share your tips, resources, and stories of overcoming difficulties so that others may learn from you.

Where to find out more?

Leeds Beckett University, Looking after your mental health page.
You can find a comprehensive list of helplines by visiting Mind website.
NHS Mental Health webpage.
Students against depression website.