Self Help Resources

‌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.

The wellbeing service offers a weekly newsletter, and an online module - the details for which are below under the 'Wellbeing Module' drop down.

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.

Togetherall

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Glasgow Caledonian University students can now access free online 24/7 support with Togetherall

Togetherall is a 24/7 online global community, where individuals can access support from trained professionals. You can use Togetherall as a safe space online to get things off your chest, explore your feelings, get creative and learn how to self-manage your mental health and wellbeing.

You are anonymous to other members in the community, and your personal information is kept secure while you are on the site (see Togetherall’s privacy statement).

See the video below from Togetherall for an overview of what the service can provide:

To join, simply go to www.Togetherall.com and sign up under ‘organisation’ with your academic e-mail address.

GCU Student Wellbeing Module

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We've put together an online platform where self-care information, wellbeing resources, live workshops and more can be engaged with by students from the comfort of their home.

You can access the Module through GCU Learn by following the current steps:

1. Log into your GCU Learn as normal
2. Go to the Communities tab at the top right hand side
3. Search for "Student Wellbeing"
4. Enrol into the module called Student Wellbeing
5. You're in!

You can also access the module by following the course link from our launch newsletter here.

GCU Wellbeing Resource List

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.

Wellbeing Support During COVID-19

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.

Please find some resources below which have been collated to specifically support you emotionally as a result of COVID-19:

Online articles

Interactive blogs and guides

A Student Survival Guide to Self-Isolation blog
Young Minds blog
A self-help guide for coronavirus anxiety - A PDF guide produced by Dr Jenn Cooper, a chartered counselling psychologist and lecturer on the D.Psych Counselling Psychology course at Glasgow Caledonian University
Living with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty_PDF Guide produced by Dr Matthew Whalley and Dr Hardeep Kaur for Psychology Today.
Rethink Mental Illness has published a guide for students on coping with Coronavirus.
The Wellness Society have produced a The Wellness Society - Covid19 Guide
Student Minds Blog: 5 Well-being habits I use to Navigate Self-Isolation
True Student: Preparing for transitioning out of Isolation
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.
Clear your Head is a resource by the Scottish Government which has a number of resources to help you enhance your health and wellbeing.

Gender-based violence support during COVID- 19

Community support groups

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:

Assisitive 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.

Healthcare Student Support

Nothingham University have developed a course which focuses on the 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)

Useful Apps, Podcasts and Guides

Guide

A self-help guide for coronavirus anxiety - A PDF guide produced by Dr Jenn Cooper, a chartered counselling psychologist and lecturer on the D.Psych Counselling Psychology course at Glasgow Caledonian University

Apps

Podcasts

GCU Common Good Podcast

Follow the GCU Common Good Podcast for some informative episodes with experts across the GCU Community

External Support Websites

Wellbeing and Mental Health

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 have put together a directory of support organisations which offer support to BAME Communities in Glasgow.

Alcohol

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

GCU Disability Service

Drugs

Eating problems

Gambling:

Support for people affected by other people’s gambling:

Gender Based Violence

GCU Gender Based Violence Support

Insomnia/sleeping problems

Perfectionism

Perfectionism - BBC

Relationships

Family Support

Self-harm

Sexual Health

The Sandyford Initiative

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

Online Guided Wellbeing Courses

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 Samartians have online breathing and muscle relaxation exercises on youtube.

Wise Group CBT

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.

Samaritans Self-Help App

The Samartians have launched a self-help app which offers people practical ways to cope and stay safe if they're going through a difficult time.

The app centres around a mood tracker, which you can use to record how you're feeling and see patterns in your mood. It also recommends techniques to try, based on how you're feeling at the time.

Mindfulness

GCU The Arc online classes

To help us to stay fit at home, instructors from the Arc are posting daily workouts and streaming free pilates and yoga classes for all GCU staff. The daily workouts will be posted on the Arc's Facebook page and the pilates and yoga classes will be delivered via Zoom.

They are also setting fun challenges, such as 100 squats a day.

Their Arc_JuneTimetable outlines all the activities and classes which are planned for this month, and you can also get in touch with the Atc through their Facebook Page or Email.

Kathleen Campbell, the Arc manager, said: "It's really important at this time to keep active during these difficult times, both for your physical and mental health. The workouts are free and no equipment is required and we hope you find them fun and inspiring."

To watch the daily workouts and to access the pilates and yoga classes, visit the Arc's Facebook page.

Glasgow Club online workouts

The Glasgow Club is offering free guided at-home workouts for individuals to follow along at home. There is a wide range of available workshops including Body Balance, Yoga, and more.

Healthcare Workers Wellbeing Course