Self-help Resource List

A list of external resources and services offering support and information for students.

The resources below are intended for guidance only, and the views expressed or advice given by any of these organisations are not the responsibility of the University of Kent.

You may also find the articles on the Student Support and Wellbeing blog helpful.  

If you have ideas about other organisations that might be listed here, please email StudentServicesWeb@kent.ac.uk.

Addiction

  • Gam Care: the leading UK provider of free information, advice and support for anyone harmed by gambling.
  • Gamblers Anonymous offers various aids for the compulsive gambler including a forum, a chat room, literature and most importantly a meeting finder. 
  • YGam - Gaming and gambling advice and support for students and young people.

General support while studying

Kent Union's Student Advice Centre offers free, confidential and impartial advice for all students studying at the University of Kent. They offer advice on financial issues, student visas, housing concerns and academic issues.

The Engagement Blog has been designed to help anyone experiencing problems in attending and engaging teaching sessions, consisting of interactive sections and packed full of friendly advice.  

Wellbeing and self-help books: A collection of books, both electronic and print format, on self help and wellbeing subjects  

  • There is an active Mindfulness community at Kent who is always ready to welcome new students: find out more on the Mindfulness web page.  
  •  YouTube videos – search for guided meditations with Jon Kabat-Zinn or Mark Williams.   
  • The School of Music and Fine Art in collaboration with the Counselling and Wellbeing team and the Student Learning Advisory Service have produced a Meditation Mix on Spotify: a sound track of guided meditations and original compositions to help students deal with stress and anxiety.  
  • For various apps to aid your wellbeing, from mood trackers to meditation mixes, relaxation aids and background ambient sound apps, check out the Wellbeing category of the Software Finder.

Student Space can offer one-to-one support for whatever challenge you’re facing, designed for students. Whether it’s your mental health, your studies, money, housing or relationships, there is support available through TextWebchatPhone or Email.

There is now dedicated support for students who have been most impacted by the pandemic including: 

  • Muslim students: helpline service for young Muslims, offering support and signposting seven days a week by phone, Whatsapp, webchat and email.
  • Trans students: phone and webchat support for trans, gender-diverse and nonbinary students, available 9am-9pm, Monday to Friday.

NHS

TED talks

Grief and bereavement

  • Cruse Bereavement Care: national charity offers group and one-to-one support to those who have been bereaved: 08456 030024. 
  • Marie Curie: practical advice and confidential support covering all aspects of terminal illness and bereavement for patients, and their families and friends. 
  • Winston’s Wish: A national charity supporting children, and parents of children, who have been bereaved.  
  • AtaLoss: a charity enabling bereaved people to find bereavement support, practical information, and resources. This service is free of charge to everyone across the UK.
  • Bereavement Support for Medical Students - a compassionate space for information and sharing that specifically addresses the experience of loss during medical training and the unique aspects of that for medical students.

Harassment, assault and bullying

For extensive information on support available from a specialist Wellbeing Adviser at the University of Kent, as well as external resources, please look at our web pages on Sexual Assault and Harassment.

  • East Kent Rape Crisis Centre offer support to male and female victims of sexual abuse. Crisis Helpline: 0800 4582818, 18:30 to 21:30 Monday-Friday.  Counselling available via:  01227 451753. Referrals can be taken Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00
  • Family Matters offer counselling for children and adult survivors of sexual abuse - 01474 536661.

Bullying UK: Bullying at University.   

Mental health

  • Mindful Healthcare: a service for anyone experiencing anxiety. It provides coping strategies and suggests further help for those in need. Mindful Healthcare can provide a free 20 minute consultation, free support webinars and online video therapy.

Social anxiety

Panic attacks

Health anxiety

  • Phobias self-help guide: Work through a self-help guide for phobias that uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).  

  • East Kent Early Intervention in Psychosis Service - 01227 812390: This service is based in Littlebourne Road, Canterbury. They are a specialist team who work with people between 14 and 65 who experience symptoms of psychosis for the first time.   

  • Samaritans, a National helpline 116 123. Canterbury & Medway 0330 094 5717.
  • Papyrus / Hopeline, a charity providing support for young people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. Papyrus can support you if you’re worried about a friend who may be suicidal. 

Mental Health Matters run a number of safe haven drop-in services in Kent, open from 6pm until 11pm every day of the year.

They offer a non-clinical, non-judgemental service with an emphasis on providing support to those experiencing distress, as well as supporting people to access potential services and opportunities in the wider community.

Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome and you do not need to be registered with a mental health service. In-person (Canterbury city centre) and virtual services available.

Neurodivergence

  • Aucademy: education for all by Autistic educators.
  • For tips for looking after your mental health for autistic students, have a look at Give Us A Shout 
  • PRO Autism is an organisation that works to improve prospects, recruitment and opportunities for young autistic adults.
  • SEE Autistic Women are a local group for self- diagnosed and diagnosed autistic women. 

Physical health

  • The University Nursing Service on the Canterbury campus offers a confidential drop in service, which provides support and advice, including contraceptive advice, and can arrange emergency contraception via the University Medical Centre.
  • Gate clinic (Canterbury) provides sexual health screening by appointment only. To book contact 0300 790 0245 (within working hours).
  • Clover Street (Medway) provides sexual health screening by appointment only. To book contact 0300 123 1678 (within working hours).
  • National Sexual Health Helpline can be contacted on 0300 123 7123 for medical or sexual health advice provided by The Department of Health and Social Care.
  • Metro Sexual Health provides advocacy and advice. You can also request free condoms and other contraception. 
  • Online STI testing service is a service through which you can order a screening kit to be sent to your UK address. 

Chronic pain

  • Arthritis Action: a UK charity giving hands on, practical help to improve the quality of life for people affected by arthritis.


Relationships, sexuality, and gender

  • Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline: a safe space for anyone to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional well-being.
  • Metro is an equality and diversity charity providing health, community and youth services in England.
  • The Be You Project connects young people in Kent who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary or are questioning their sexual orientation and / or gender identity.

Support under pressure

  • Rethink Carers Support Group: aims to help carers and their partners, relatives and friends with a wide range of mental health problems, including accessing the information they need. 
  • Carers Support offers support to those who care for a relative or friend –or 01304 364637. 
  • Carers First: a UK registered charity working with unpaid carers to provide practical information and advice. 

Citizen’s Advice Bureau: information that you need to make the right choices, including help to deal with your debt problems and how to get your finances back into shape.  

Porchlight Canterbury offer local support to those who may find themselves homeless - 01227 760078 or 0800 567 7699.   

Please note that these resources and services are provided by external organisations and not part of the support services offered at Kent. The University of Kent will not accept any responsibility for any action taken as a result of the content, guidance or advice given by the organisations listed.

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