Mental health
Mental health services are available through the University and the NHS.
Emergency or crisis support
Get help if you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health.
If you or someone you care for is in a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and press option 2.
If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
If you are already receiving support from a mental health service, you can still contact the team that is working with you during office hours. Outside of office hours please contact NHS 111.
If you are deaf or have hearing loss, please use the NHS 111 – British Sign Language (BSL) Service.
You can also access use NHS 111 online.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, every day, for all ages, including children and young people, and those with neurodevelopmental needs.
For information about local crisis services, visit the Sheffield Health & Social Care urgent help website.
Other mental health crisis helplines include:
- Samaritans
- Provides a free, confidence and non-judgmental emotional support line for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair
- call 116 123 or 0114 276 7277
- available 24 hours a day, every day
- Shout
- UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you are struggling to cope
- Text SHOUT to 85258
- available 24 hours a day, every day
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
- A service run by the department of health has a free, confidential helpline
- call 0800 58 58 58
- available 5pm–midnight, every day
- SANEline
- call 0300 304 7000
- available 4pm–10pm, every day
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline
- call 0800 689 5652
- available 6pm–3:30am, every day
Sheffield Mind also offers confidential mental health services, support and information on where to seek help.
The nature of a mental health emergency will always depend on personal circumstances. Some people experience suicidal impulses, the need to self-harm, are immobilised by depression, or are in a state of psychosis. Others may experience acute confusion because of infection, overdoses, or intoxication by drugs or alcohol.
Suicide safety plans
Safety plans are great tools to help manage suicidal feelings and urges. You may wish to share safety plans with friends and family if you feel comfortable. The below resources can help you create a safety plan:
- Papyrus - Using Safety Plans
- Samaritans - Help someone create a 'safety plan'
- Every life matters - Safety Planning
- Verywell Mind - How to Create a Suicide Safety Plan
Self-help resources
Visit the NHS Mental Health webpage for information about symptoms, conditions, advice, services, treatments and self-help.
There are many other self-help resources available too:
- Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) Resources:
Written by Clinical Psychologists giving advice in eighteen different mental health areas with detailed information sheets, workbooks and worksheets.
Areas covered include anxiety, depression, health anxiety, OCD and panic etc.
- Cumbria Northumberland Tyne Wear (CNTW) Self-Help Resources
Very good self-help resources in twenty-four different presentations covering an extensive range of mental health conditions.
Areas covered include anxiety, depression, health anxiety, OCD and panic etc.
Link: Cumbria Northumberland Tyne Wear (CNTW) Self-Help Resources
- Anxiety Resources
Mental wellbeing audio guides – NHS
Anxiety CBT app - Daylight (NHS approved)
Anxiety and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) - RCPSYCH
Anxiety Self-Help Resources – Information Sheets, Worksheets & Workbooks - wa.gov
- Dealing with Distress Resources
Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) Resources
- Depression Resources
Self-care for depression - Mind
Helping you to take care of your mental wellbeing - Every Mind MattersDepression self-help guide - NHS Inform
Depression in adults - RCPSYCH
Depression and Low Mood - Cumbria Northumberland Tyne Wear (CNTW)
- Eating Disorder Resources
Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) Resources
Cumbria Northumberland Tyne Wear (CNTW) Self-Help Resources
Recovery and self-care for eating problems - Mind
Anorexia Self Help - Getselfhelp
- Gratitude Journaling Resources
The Ultimate Gratitude Journal Guide - Intelligent Change
Gratitude Journal: 35 Ideas for Getting Started - PositivePsychology
- Mental Health Audio Guides / Podcasts
Mental wellbeing audio guides - NHS
Relaxation techniques - Cumbria Northumberland Tyne Wear (CNTW)
Mental Health Foundation Podcasts
- Panic Resources
Relaxation Technique - No Panic
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Resources
OCD Action Resources - OCD Action
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) self-help guide - NHS Inform
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Help Guide
Obsessions and Compulsions Self-help Guide - CNTW
25 Tips for Succeeding in Your OCD Treatment - International OCD Foundation
Managing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust
- Relaxation Techniques
- Self-Harming Distraction Resources
Self-harm - advice - Young Minds
Self-harm information - RCPSYCH
Self-harm leaflet - NHS Borders
Cutting and Self-harm - Help Guide
Self-harm: Understanding Risks and Seeking Help - Rethink Mental Illness
- Sleeping Difficulty Resources
Sleep problems and Insomnia - NHS Inform
Sleep Hygiene - The Sleep Charity
- Stress Resources
Ten ways to beat stress - The Guardian
Top 10 Stress Management Techniques for Students - Very Well Mind
- Unhelpful Thinking Resources
- Mindfulness, Meditation and Yoga Introductory Videos
Mindfulness Meditation - YouTube
- Mental Wellbeing
Kooth - An online supporting mental wellbeing community offering free, safe support
Togetherall - 24/7 online mental health platform
The Samaritans - Available 24/7 for people struggling with mental health difficulties
The above advice, information, resources and websites are NOT intended to replace having an assessment with a medical professional who can offer specialist tailored information and advice and discuss treatment options for your specific needs.
If you feel you need additional support, contact UHS online, via phone (0114 222 2100), in-person, or consider self-referral services.
Self-referral services
A number of self-referral services are available for mental health support:
- Student Mental Health, Counselling, Therapies & Wellbeing Service
If you’re a registered student, the Student Mental Health, Counselling, Therapies & Wellbeing Service is the first point of contact for you to explore a broad range of mental health support needs.
Register with Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service (student login required)
The service is unable to offer emergency or crisis support. Our mental health pages have information about how to access support in an emergency or crisis (student login required).
If you require emotional support check the Student Mental Health, Counselling, Therapies & Wellbeing Service website for an update on the student mental health and counselling service.
Student Mental Health, Counselling, Therapies & Wellbeing Service
If you’re struggling emotionally, reach out to those close to you. Useful tips on looking after yourself emotionally are available at:
The University's Belief, No Belief and Religious (BNBR) Life Centre is available for students via a listening-ear service that will be maintained via email, online chat, phone and video calls as well as in person.
- NHS Talking Therapies Sheffield
NHS Talking Therapies provide a range of free NHS talking therapies for anyone aged 18 or over who lives in Sheffield.
- Sheffield Support Hub
The Sheffield Support Hub offers free mental health support in a welcoming, comfortable, non-judgmental, and non-clinical environment. This is a walk-in service with no need to be referred. You can also telephone the Support Hub for an appointment in advance if you prefer on 07890 987 384.
Open hours are: Monday to Friday, 6pm - midnight, Saturday and Sunday, 2pm - midnight
The support hub address is: MHM Building, 44 Bank Street, Sheffield, S1 2DS
They also offer an Adult Autism and ADHD Support Hub.
If your mental health affects your study
If you have a mental health problem that impairs your ability to undertake study-related tasks, you may be eligible for additional support from the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS).
Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (student login required)
For support with study-related skills, the 301 Student Skills and Development Service provides a number of helpful sessions throughout the year.
301 Student Skills and Development Service
Eating disorders
UHS provides a specialist eating disorders service:
Autism and ADHD
UHS offers Autism and ADHD assessments. Submit an online request and our Care Coordinator will contact you to take you through the assessment process.
Visit our ADHD webpage and our Autism webpage for more information about these assessments.
Worried about a friend?
If you’re worried about another student who may be depressed and/or self-harming, advise them to make an appointment with us. You can also raise a concern via the University's Safeguarding Recording Form.
