Mental health
Mental health services are available through the University and the NHS.
Emergency or crisis support
If you or a loved one is already receiving support from a mental health service, and you are in a mental health crisis and need urgent help, contact your Care Co-ordinator straight away.
If your service or UHS is closed, or you do not currently receive support from a mental health service and you need urgent help, you can contact Single Point of Access on 0808 196 8281 (calls are free from a landline or mobile) or +44 114 226 3636.
They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information when in need of urgent help, visit the Sheffield Health & Social Care urgent help website.
You can also talk to The Samaritans on 116 123.
If we’re closed or you’re uncertain who to contact, call 111.
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.
Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service
If you’re a registered student, Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies 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)
Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies 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 and Therapies Service website for an update on the student mental health and counselling service.
Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service
If you’re struggling emotionally, reach out to those close to you. Useful tips on looking after yourself emotionally are available at:
- Sheffield mental health guide
- Mind: Coronavirus and your wellbeing
- Mental Health Foundation: Looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak
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.
Belief, No Belief and Religious (BNBR) Life Centre
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.
They also provide a specific programme designed for students. This provides a space for students to think about their own wellbeing, provide some tips on how to look after yourself and give you a taster of what NHS Talking Therapies treatment looks like.
Eating disorders
The University Health Service provides a specialist eating disorders service:
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
Support for emotional sensitivity
Some people are naturally more emotionally sensitive than others, and sometimes difficult experiences can contribute to us having feelings and emotions which may be distressing, confusing, exhausting and hard to manage.
Symptoms of emotional sensitivity include:
- Extreme emotional mood swings
- Unstable or intense relationships
- Fear of abandonment
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
- Unclear or shifting self-image
- Impulsive, self-destructive behaviour
- Self-harm
- Inappropriate anger and frustration
If these issues are causing you difficulty or distress, you may benefit from watching the Wise Mind videos.
These videos can help you to:
- understand and accept your difficult feelings
- learn skills to manage these feelings
- become more able to make positive changes
To access the Wise Mind videos, discuss this with your GP.
You will receive a link to the videos by email and will have access for six months.
The videos are based on the principles of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), a type of talking therapy for people who feel emotions very intensely. If you’re interested in exploring DBT in a group setting, discuss this with your GP.
Worried about a friend?
If you’re worried about a friend who may be depressed and/or self-harming, advise them to make an appointment with us.
