University can be exciting and rewarding, but it can also bring unfamiliar situations and feel overwhelming. We’ve outlined the mental health support that may be available at uni.
Updated: 08 Jun 2026
Your mental health includes your emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It affects how you deal with your emotions and how you manage stress. Building new relationships, moving to a new location and studying at a new level can all affect your mental health while at university.
Conversations across the media, and organisations such as YoungMinds, suggest that universities should be providing their students with the relevant services in order to support their wellbeing and mental health needs.
Tom Madders, then Campaigns Director at YoungMinds, believes that, “Mental health should be taken just as seriously as physical health by universities. Relationship troubles, living away from home for the first time and coping with financial struggles are all examples of pressures faced by students. The impact of poor mental health on student life can be devastating so we encourage students to be vocal and get the support they need.”
Student Space agrees. Student Space is a support service created by Student Minds, offering direct support, tips and resources to help you navigate university life.
Grace Anderson, Communications Lead at Student Minds, points out that, “Whether you are looking for support for your own mental health at university, or you are supporting a friend, help is available. There are a range of different options available to you as a student. Visit your university’s website to find out what specific support is available. This might include counselling, student advice services, support networks as well as other resources.
'Wherever you seek support it’s important to remember that if it isn’t quite right for you, that’s okay. You can try something else. At Student Minds we encourage the use of a range of support. Student Space is here to help you.”
Although universities and organisations like Student Minds will provide tools and resources, you'll need to understand where you can access them.
Your university's website
You'll usually be able to find contact details for services provided by the uni or drop-in sessions you can attend. Universities sometimes list the details of external services and providers of student mental health support.
If you are a student studying in the UK, Student Space has a university search directory where you can find out what help is available on your campus. Simply search your university name and a localised list based on your uni provider will become available.
Student wellbeing services
Your student services team will offer advice both online and on campus. These services offer practical advice across a number of stressful topics, from financial concerns and accommodation issues to academic support and mental health concerns.
Some campuses may have specialist teams already set up, which offer additional help specific to individuals’ needs. These can include a dedicated student mental health support service.
Look at the support services a university offers when choosing where to study so you know where to go for help. Where necessary, your university’s mental health support team will also be able to refer you to external services.
Student Space
Student Space has resources to help you through uni that include:
Access to dedicated support services by phone, text, email and webchat
Tailored information and tools for students who may face additional mental health challenges or barriers to support
Find what support is available at your place of study
GP
Speak to your GP if you feel more comfortable. They can talk through your options, offer medical advice and, where appropriate, refer you to counselling, mental health services or discuss treatment options.
Accessing student mental health support might be daunting at first. Student Minds have shared valuable tips on how to visit your GP or attend university counselling.
Friends and family
Speak with your parents, family members or friends. They will be able to support you in finding the professional services you need. Your personal tutor can also be a great resource, especially if your concerns are academic-related.
Mental health charities and helplines
Many organisations offer support by phone, text, email, webchat or online resources. These include:
Try to reach out as soon as daily tasks or university life start to feel overwhelming. The sooner you can speak to someone about how you're feeling, the sooner you can start your journey to turning things around.
Many universities offer a mix of wellbeing advice, counselling, mental health support, disability support and signposting to external services. Some may also provide access to online support platforms or out-of-hours listening services. What’s available varies between universities, so it’s worth checking your own university’s student support pages to see what you can access.
To give you an idea of what other students have gone through, we spoke to two graduates who turned to their institution’s mental health services.
Sayem studies law in London and Lindy is doing media studies at Southampton Solent University.
'I sought mental health support after an incident where I had a massive falling out with a mate of mine after having too much to drink. I think this was the icing on the cake, made from all the pressure I was putting myself under to do well on my course.
'I knew about the counselling service because of posters around the place.
Were the services easy to access? Yes – I had a walk-in for my first appointment and we did weekly sessions after that. They were always great about timetabling me in and letting me know if any problems came up.'
What support did you get? I had cognitive behavioural therapy sessions. This was just really a chat and some back-and-forth between me and the counsellor, to figure out where I was going wrong. I thought it was very helpful. It was getting to the root of what was wrong with me and I walked away with concrete steps that helped me deal with problems. I felt it was pretty positive, and it was the first time I properly engaged with mental health services. I'm glad I did it as I now know it's not as scary as I first thought.'
'I first decided to seek help as I'd had depression at that point for about three years officially. I was having issues with my boyfriend and life generally. I needed to talk things through.'
Did you know your institution offered mental health support? 'I think I knew there was a counselling service, but I went out of my way to look for it as I'd had it before at college and independently. It was really easy to access and I didn’t wait long for my first session. After that I had sessions every week for about a year.'
What support were you offered? 'I had an hour of counselling once a week. I would say it was one of my most positive experiences of mental health support. It kept me sane at a time when I had no family support and kept me at uni when I felt like just giving up.'
If you are concerned about your or a friend's mental health, be active. Reach out to the support services on offer at your university, speak to your support network and make use of resources such as Student Space.
You are not alone. Lots of students struggle with their mental health at some point, but help is available and reaching out can be a positive first step.
You can start a conversation by texting ‘SHOUT’ to 85258.
Header image: Photo by Total Shape on Unsplash
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