We want you to get the most out of your time at university and feel safe, supported and able to reach your potential.
We have in place a comprehensive network of support services across the University: in residences, academic schools and through central services such as the student wellbeing service, student counselling and student health.
We know this list of services may feel overwhelming. If you aren’t sure what to do, fill in a Wellbeing Access request form.
Immediate support
- If you feel at immediate risk or need emergency help, please do not submit this form now but seek help via visit the University’s Emergency Help guide.
- Contact your doctor's surgery (GP) and request an emergency appointment. The Student Health Service offers same day mental health appointments.
- If your doctors is not open, contact the NHS Out of Hours Service on 111, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
- Call the Samaritans on 116 123 available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
- If you feel at immediate risk of harm to yourself, go straight to your nearest hospital Accident and Emergency department or call Emergency Services on 999.
- Bristol Nightline offers a confidential, impartial and non-advisory listening and information service for students, and is staffed by University of Bristol volunteers. Call on 0117 926 6266, 8pm to 8am during term time. Calls charged at your standard network rate.
- Call the Bristol Mental Health Crisis Service 24/7 on 0300 555 0334. They support people experiencing an extreme mental health or emotional crisis.
- The Student Counselling Service does not offer emergency support. There is a list of local services which may be able to help. The list includes services open 24 hours.
Support at University
- The University has a range of wellbeing support. If you are not sure who to contact, you can speak to an Adviser from the University’s Student Wellbeing or Residential Life Services for advice and support. Contact Wellbeing Access to do this.
- Consider submitting extenuating circumstances if your studies have been or are being affected – a Wellbeing Adviser can support you with this if you aren’t sure what to put or don’t want to share sensitive details.
- There is more information about support available for students with protected characteristics here.
- There is more information on services specific to sexual assault here.
Other sources of support
- Student Minds is a national charity which aims to empower students to look after their own mental health, support others and create change.
- Big White Wall offers safe, anonymous online support 24/7, including peer and professional support.
- Off the Record is a Bristol charity which provides free group and individual counselling and support for young people up to the age of 25, including a specialist LGBTQ+ service.
- Mind is a national charity with local centres which provides information, support and guidance for anyone experiencing a mental health problem, or anyone who is supporting someone with a mental health problem. They also have a comprehensive list of specialist organisations and resources.
- Bristol Wellbeing Therapies offers free support to improve wellbeing including group work and individual CBT sessions.
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offers support to men in the UK, of any age, who are down or in crisis via their helpline, webchat and website.
- Womankind supports women in the Bristol area with professional counselling, group psychotherapy, befriending and a helpline service.
- Mind Out is a national mental health service run by and for the LGBTQ+ community.