Whether you are staying local or heading home for the festive period it’s important that you continue to
prioritise your health and wellbeing.
Many people struggle with feeling lonely over the winter period. If this resonates with you, there are a few things that you could do to connect with others:
Please remember your GP will be open between Christmas and New year (not on bank holidays) if you find yourself unwell.
Find out more about Registering with a GP, and The Uni Doctor here.
For mental and emotional wellbeing support over the Winter Break, we partner with the organisations below to ensure that our students have the best support available when needed:
Crisis team Information
24 hour helpline: 0300 0200 500 - You can call this number to get help or advice in a crisis from trained mental health advisors and clinicians. 24/7
You can also find your nearest 24/7 crisis line to where you are staying over the break.
Short-term mental health and Well-being support service. Open every day of the year (5pm to 10pm) weekdays and (12pm to 5pm) weekends. Support workers specialise in crisis de-escalation and prevention. They also offer 1:1 in-person/telephone support, education and information advice and wellbeing and group activities.
Contact:
Telephone: 020 8906 7509
Email : sanctuaryEnfield@mindeb.org.uk
An alternative community-based crisis service for people experiencing a crisis or mental distress. They offer non-clinical support to individuals experiencing a crisis or mental distress.
You can drop-in without an appointment between 2pm to 10pm (Monday to Sunday).
Contact:
Brent: 07469 856 963
Harrow: 07407 305 206
Hillingdon: 07827 535 271
Email - Hestia.thecove@nhs.net
A helpline for men in the UK who are experiencing difficulties and need support.
Contact:
Telephone: Nationwide: 0800 5858 58 and webchat are open, 5pm to midnight (everyday).
Helpline for individuals within the LGBTQ Community. Services supporters are there to listen to anything individuals would like to speak about.
Contact:
Telephone: You can phone daily from 10am to 10pm on 0300 330 0630
Email: chris@switchboard.lgbt (emails are typically replied to within 72 hours).
BEAT Provide recourses, peer coaching, directory of services/online support. Helplines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 4pm to 8pm.
Contact:
Call: 0808 801 0677
Studentline: 0808 801 0811
Listening services – operates 24/7 for anyone who is experiencing emotional distress.
Contact:
Call: 116 123
For people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide. Open 9am to Midnight every day.
Contact:
Call: 0800 068 4141.
You can also TEXT 07860 039 967.
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope.
Contact:
Text Shout to 85258 from anywhere in the UK, 24/7
Face-to-face support for students experiencing suicidal thoughts
Contact:
Telephone: 0203 906 7676
Turning Point are a Health and social care service for people with a learning disability. Also supports people with mental health struggles, as well as drug and alcohol abuse/unemployment.
Contact:
Contact Form: https://www.turning-point.co.uk/contact-us.html
We are With You supports people with drug and alcohol problems. It also provides services for their friends and family. Your first appointment with may be over the phone or face-to-face in one of our services. At the end of your first appointment, you may be matched with a member of staff who will be your main point of contact.
Contact:
Search for your nearest services: Find a drug and alcohol service near you - With You (wearewithyou.org.uk)
Change Grow Live (CGL) offer harm reduction advice, access to substitute medication, referrals to residential and community detoxes/rehab and counselling support.
If you’re staying local this winter break and live in MDX halls of residence, get involved with weekly RA activities and build a sense of community with your fellow residents! Until the 17 of December, our resident assistance is hosting events like movie nights, game nights, quiz nights, and much more.
Don’t forget to share what you are up to on your Unibuddy groups!
Even during the closure period, our halls teams are available to assist you. However, please note that the general accommodation office will be closed during the winter break.
Usher Hall
usher.hall@southernhousing.org.uk / 020 8036 0006
Platt Hall/Writtle House
platt.hall@southernhousing.org.uk / 020 8036 0065
Ivy Hall
IvyHall@mdx.ac.uk / 07788 635866
Unite
OWReception@unitestudents.com / 0117 302 7453
Wood Green
WoodGreenHall@southernhousing.org.uk / 0208 036 0061
Don’t forget that if you are living in Platt, Usher and Writtle halls, you have free and 24/7 access to Southern Housings counselling programme. Simply call the free number on 0800 028 3766, let them know that you are an Southern housing resident and request to speak with a counsellor. They will connect you with a counsellor or have a counsellor call you right back. You can also access ongoing weekly support through this programme.
Spiking can happen to anyone. Spiking has long-lasting effects. Spiking is a removal of consent. Spiking is illegal.
Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person's drink or body without their knowledge and/or consent. The drugs used could be illegal or prescription drugs.
Most commonly, it is a person’s drink that is spiked but food or/and cigarettes could also be spiked. But increasingly there have been incidents of spiking with the use of a needle.
Whilst intentions may vary, typically the motive behind spiking is to make somebody more vulnerable possibly to facilitate the act of theft, sexual assault, or any other form of abuse.
Spiking is illegal and carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. This is irrespective of whether, for example, a drink is consumed, a person is harmed, or there is intent to commit a further act. If other criminal acts take place then the maximum sentence will be longer.
For more information about spiking, check out our spiking info-sheet.
