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Mental health
Difficulties with mental health exist on a continuum, much like physical health. You may be suffering from minor sleep disturbances, anxiety or just feeling down on the one hand or you could find yourself overwhelmed by serious psychological distress which can interfere with your ability to function normally in one or many areas of your life. Symptoms may be triggered by some personal life experience that would readily explain you feeling the way you do or more distressing symptoms may be triggered by psychiatric illness in which case it would be advisable for you to seek professional help as soon as possible.
Some forms of mental health difficulty are treated very successfully with medication, counselling or other types of treatment and for most people such difficulties are short lived and directly related to unresolved past or present experiences.
Other more serious difficulties may require a psychiatric assessment, longer term medication and therapeutic help from mental health professionals. It is important for you to understand the nature of your illness, the things that make you stressed or vulnerable to episodes of psychological distress. It is advisable to learn as much as you can about your medication and any side effects.
There is a lot of support for students on campus from the Medical Centre, Nursing Services, the Disability Support Unit, the Unit for Enhanced Learning and Teaching and the Counselling Service. Your own academic department will also be a source of support if you feel able to tell them what is going on for you. It is important that you establish good support networks so that they are in place should you need them.
Useful information and a variety of links on mental health problems can be found on the following websites: