We have a range of support and resources staff can access. Click on staff welling support and resources for further information.
Health and wellbeing
We know this is a very concerning time for everyone. We are here to help and support you and will continue to provide a confidential service throughout this period.
The GCU Wellbeing team has compiled a range of resources for students and staff to access online.
If you need support or advice, please contact our Wellbeing Team studentwellbeing@gcu.ac.uk or our Disability Team disability@gcu.ac.uk.
GCU Students' Association Student Advisers are working remotely and are available as normal, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm, to offer support. Please email advice@GCUstudents.co.uk.
Any student who wishes to assess their own risk in relation to COVID-19 may chose to use the generic self-assessment form. If you have any questions about this we strongly recommend that you to speak to your GP for medical advice.
Please find some tailoured resources below for support during COVID-19:
Webpages
- Mind:Coronavirus and your wellbeing
- Mind: Difficult feelings about the Coronavirus Pandemic
- World Health Organization: Coping with Stress During the Covid-19 Outbreak
- CDC: guidance on coping with stress from COVID-19
- Student Minds: Help through Coronavirus
- GCU's Sir Alex Ferguson Library: Wellbeing in Lockdown
- Centre for Mental Health: Coronavirus: resources and information
- Scottish Government: Clear Your Head
- Mental Health Foundation: Loneliness during cornavirus
- Scottish Autism: Coronavirus and your wellbeing
- True Student: Coping with Coronavirus Anxiety
- LGBT Foundation: Guidance for support during Covid-19
- Young Minds: Coronavirus and Mental Health
- Nothingham University: Psychological Wellbeing for Healthcare workers throughout Covid-19
- The Scottish Government have announced a dedicated support phone line open 24 hours a day seven days a week for all health and social care workers and the number is: 0800 111 4191 (this is in addition to their support hub)
Self Isolation Resources
- A Student Survival Guide to Self-Isolation
- Mental Health Foundation: Looking after your mental health and wellbeing if you are staying home
- Student Minds Blog: 5 Well-being habits I use to Navigate Self-Isolation
- True Student: Preparing for transitioning out of Isolation
Interactive Guides
- Dr Jenn Cooper: Corona-Anxiety: Your self-help survival guide
- Living with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty_PDF GuideLiving with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty_PDF GuideLiving with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty_PDF GuideLiving with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty_PDF GuideLiving with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty_PDF GuideLiving with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty_PDF GuideLiving with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty_PDF Guide
- Rethink Mental Illness: A guide for students on coping with Coronavirus.
- The Wellness Society - Covid19 Guide
Gender-based violence support during COVID- 19
Community support groups
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Exacta Print: community support list (this list has local groups for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Stirling, Lanarkshire, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Lothian, Falkirk, Argyll and Bute, the Highlands, Moray, Ayrshire, the Borders, Aberdeenshire and more.) The list is continually updated.
Health anxiety
Additionally, we know that for those members of our University community who already have health anxiety, this may be a particularly challenging time. Please find some resources below for specific support for health anxiety and pandemics:
- NHS information on health anxiety
- Healthline – How to deal with health anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak
Studying from home
- Assistive Technology: The GCU Disability Team within the Wellbeing Service have created a document outlining how students can use assistive technology to aid studying at home.
Wellbeing and Mental Health Directories
- Mind’s A-Z of mental health
- MIND - For Better Mental Health
- Scottish Association for Mental Health
- SANE - Mental health charity
- The Coalition for Race Equality and Rights (CRER) Scotland: Directory of support organisations for BAME Communities in Glasgow.
- Doctors of the World: Six ways to improve your wellbeing (available in 27 different languages)
- Student Space offer a range of wellbeing resources accessible to GCU students. (Please note the external directory for referrals only holds information for English and Welsh services but online support resources are available to GCU students)
Alcohol
- Drink Aware
- Alcohol Concern
- The Glasgow Council on Alcohol
- Addiction Alcohol Behaviour Change Service
Anger
Anxiety and panic
- Anxiety UK
- How to deal with panic attacks
- Moodgym - Cognitive behavioural therapy/Interpersonal therapy based modules to help people understand and overcome depression and anxiety (you need to sign up, but it is completely free)
- Moodzone - Stress, anxiety, depression
Assertiveness
Bereavement
Depression and low mood
- Time Out Scotland
- Students Against Depression
- Moodgym - Cognitive behavioural therapy/Interpersonal therapy based modules to help people understand and overcome depression and anxiety (you need to sign up, but it is completely free)
- Moodzone - Stress, anxiety, depression
Disability
Drugs
Eating problems
- Beating Eating Disorders
- Beat - online support groups (support with anorexia, bulimia, overeating, family support and more)
Gambling:
Support for people affected by other people’s gambling:
Gender Based Violence
Insomnia/sleeping problems
Perfectionism
Postgraduate Mental Health
- Student Minds have produced the Wellbeing Thesis which is an online resource for postgraduate research students.
Relationships
- The Spark - Offer relationship counselling and advice across Scotland
- Relationships Scotland, Glasgow
Family Support
- Parentline Scotland
- Home Start Glasgow North
- Family Mediation West
- Maudlsey Charity: Families Under Pressure
- Young Minds: For Parents
- RCPsych: Surviving adolescence: for parents and carers
- Charlie Waller: What we do for parents
Self-harm
- Life Link - Support for adults
- Harmless - Self-harm support
- Time and Space Glasgow
- Self-Injury Support
Sexual Health
Sexuality
- Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Youth Scotland
- LGBT Helpline Scotland
- Sandyford Counselling Services T: 0141 211 6700)
- Steve Retson Counselling (for gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with men) T: 0141 211 8628
- Sandyford Gender Identity Services
- LGBT Youth Glasgow
- Scottish Transfender Alliance
- GCU LGBT+ Student Support
Stress
The GCU Wellbeing Team has worked with the Sir Alex Ferguson Library to create a GCU wellbeing resource list.
The list has books and ebooks which are available online, alongside videos and other resources.
The Sir Alex Ferguson Library have also collated resources in how to enhance your wellbeing during lockdown, including digital resources to learn something new, exploring nature, being creative, and more. You can find these resources at their Wellbeing in Lockdown Page.
Breathing and Muscle Relaxation Exercises
Relaxation techniques like controlled breathing and muscle relaxation can be useful tools for feeling calmer quickly and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. The Samartans have online breathing and muscle relaxation exercises on youtube.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
The Wise Group are providing free group CBT Sessions with a rolling programme covering different themes. Find out more and sign up at their website.
Mindfulness
- Lifelink guided mindfulness
- Mindfulness Scotland
- Moodjuice Scotland
- Mind - Mindfulness
- NHS - Mindfulness
GCU The Arc online classes
Physical Activity has been linked with enhancing your mental health and wellbeing. Instructors from the Arc are posting daily workouts and streaming free pilates and yoga classes. To watch the daily workouts and to access the pilates and yoga classes, visit the Arc's Facebook page, and email Arc@GCU.ac.uk.
Healthcare Workers Wellbeing Course
Nothingham University have developed a course which focuses on the Psychological Wellbeing for Healthcare workers throughout Covid-19.
Apps
- NHS mental health app library
- Expert self-care student health app
- Self-help anxiety management app
- Headspace - meditation app
- Stress management app
- Hello Mind - Low self-esteem, stress, fear, bad sleep and unhealthy habits
- Centred State - Hypnotic deep breathing to relieve anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks
- Stop Panic - Self-help for panic
- Calm - Meditation to relax, focus and sleep better
Podcasts
- Elizabeth Gilbert - Big Magic podcast 'Lessons in how to unleash your creativity'
- Wellbeing podcasts
- The Mental Illness Happy Hour
- Everybody Blurts - Professional lowdown on depression and support available
- Moodzone podcasts
- Wellbeing Audio Resources (anxiety, low mood, sleeping, health anxiety, anger, stress, panic attacks, self-esteem)
GCU Common Good Podcast
- Follow the GCU Common Good Podcast for some informative episodes with experts across the GCU Community, including sessions on mindfulness, carers support, mental health and more.
Support Groups
- AnxietyUK Support groups
- OCD support group
- Time Out Scotland - Support group for people with depression and/or anxiety
- GAMH Carers support group
- Support in Mind carers group
- Eating Disorders support group
- Bipolar Disorder support group
- Bereavement support group
- Alcohol and Drugs support
- Mental Health Network - variety of events and groups
Helplines
- Nightline T: 0141 55 22 555
- Samaritans T: 08457 90 90 90
- Hopeline T: 0800 068 4141
- Saneline T: 07984 967 708
- Young Minds Crisis Messenger: TEXT YM to 85258
- Living Life - Cognitive behavioural therapy telephone service
- LGBT Helpline Scotland
- Good Morning Service
-
The Scottish Government have announced a dedicated support phone line open 24 hours a day seven days a week for all health and social care workers and the number is: 0800 111 4191. This in addition to their dedicated support hub.
Self care
Relaxation
Getting active
Mindfulness
Human connection
Autism - 'The world needs all kinds of minds'