Sunday 10th October 2021 is World Mental Health Day. The theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is 'mental health in an unequal world', to hightlight that access to mental health services remains unequal. Many people with a mental illness do not receive the treatment that they are entitled to and deserve and together with their families and carers continue to experience stigma and discrimination. We want you to feel that if you need help you can reach out to us, no matter what the circumstance is.
Watch this NHS video video about mental health in students:
We have two student-led mental health support groups; Peer Support and RGU:Nightline. Peer Support offer a peer-to-peer service, running on a confidential appointment basis during normal University hours. This provides an opportunity for you to come chat with a trained Peer Supporter about any concerns or dilemmas you may be facing whether that be in regard to your personal life or your studies. Reach out to our Peer Supporters here.
RGU:Nightline is a helpline that offers a non-judgmental, confidential and anonymous listening and support service to students at Robert Gordon University outside of academic hours (operating form 8pm through until 8am). The specially trained student volunteers recognise that university is a time of many changes and challenges, and can empathise with callers. They don't judge, they don't give advice, and they certainly don't tell callers what to do - they just listen. Best of all, nightline is confidential and anonymous, meaning students accessing the service don't even have to give their name.
You can also access our Advice and Support department at the Union where you can speak to one of our team about any issues you are facing. Sometimes things may go wrong and you need advice or you may find that you need a little extra support – and that is perfectly okay. Find out more about our Advice and Support function here.
We also have a Vice President of Welfare and President of Welfare and Education to ensure students have access to all the welfare support they need at RGU and represent your views around this topic. Our Equality Champions for Mental Health are also working to ensure all students have equal opportunities at RGU, these are students who identify with a liberation group so really know the problems faced by students. If you have any suggestions for how to improve student welfare at RGU get in touch! Email Dami, President (Education and Welfare) or Greg, Vice President (Welfare).
Find out Dami, President (Education and Welfare) and Deanna's, Peer Support Chairperson, top tips for managing your mental health:
The university also has a broad range of welfare services to help with your mental health including the Wellbeing and Councelling service, where you can make an appointment to speak to a Wellbeing Advisor as well as resources on Campus Moodle.
There are also a wide range of support available within the local community in Aberdeen and Scotland:
Whichever service you choose just make sure you reach out if you need help. Your problem is never too small or too big to get support.