- Existing mental health conditions (such as anxiety, depression, personality disorders and bipolar disorder)
- Stress and worry
- Life stressors
- Relationship difficulties (including difficulties with your friends, family, partner or children)
- Unhappiness, low mood and loneliness
- Bereavement
- Students who have been a victim of crime
Health and wellbeing
Your student experience should enable you to excel in your studies and thrive in all areas of your life Browse FAQsWe want to support you in looking after your physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing; they are all connected and equally important.
Mental health and wellbeing
University life is exciting, stimulating and hard work. We know that life as a student can sometimes be stressful and that life outside of university can sometimes be just as demanding as your studies. We want to support you in looking after your physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing; they are all connected and equally important.
We treat you as an individual because everyone’s experience is different. We provide a supportive and empathetic space to discuss difficulties and advise on what might help you feel better, working together to create a support plan.
We’re available to all LSBU students and offer a confidential and collaborative space to discuss what’s on your mind.
Who do we support?
What support is available?
Because each student is different, the support you’ll receive from us will be tailored to your individual needs.
Support might include:
- Confidential and collaborative discussion with a Mental Health & Wellbeing Advisor
- Developing a support plan with next steps
- Self-help resources
- Referral to our counselling service, including online platform SilverCloud
- Liaison with other university staff and referrals to other teams
- Liaison with external support, such as GP or NHS mental health team
- Signposting to relevant external agencies
Religious support and Multi Faith Chaplaincy
There are a number of faith based societies running through LSBU’s Students’ Union. These include the Christian Union, Islamic Society and the Hindu Society. For the latest information on these and all other societies visit the Students' Union website.
Student chaplaincy at LSBU is here for everyone and offers:
- Pastoral care and support for students from all faith backgrounds and none
- An open and non-judgmental service for everyone
- Exploring faith and the big issues – opportunities to discuss the big issues and get involved in celebrating religious and other festivals and events
- Opportunities for students to worship, pray and study together
- Volunteering – opportunities for students to get involved in local community activities
If you've applied to study at LSBU
If you think you might benefit from support from the Mental Health and Wellbeing team (for instance, if you have a pre-existing mental health condition), or if you want to find out more about the support available, please get in touch for a pre-enrolment meeting by emailing studentwellbeing@lsbu.ac.uk or calling 020 7815 6454.
Once you have accepted an offer to study here, you can use your LSBU MyAccount to get in touch with us and access support. Find out more on how to use MyAccount as an Offer Holder.
Current Students: How to get support
Current LSBU students have a MyAccount that you can use to make appointments with an advisor (in person, video call or phone) or to ask us a question. See the help guides: How to use MyAccount as a student and How to book an appointment in MyAccount. Can’t log in to MyAccount? See this help guide.
General Health and Wellbeing Information
Registering with a doctor and dentist
We strongly advise students to register with a doctor as soon as you enrol so that you can obtain immediate medical advice and assistance if you fall ill or have an accident.
Information on registering with a local GP is available on the NHS website and provided during Welcome Week. The closest GP surgery to the Southwark Campus is Princess Street Surgery.
For dental care you’ll need to register with a local dentist. Search the NHS website for local NHS dentists.
For further advice, please contact us via LSBU MyAccount or by using our Enquiry Form.
Recommended vaccinations
We recommend that all students are vaccinated against Meningitis and Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR).
All new university students up to the age of 25 are being offered free Men ACWY vaccine to prevent illness caused by the four different strains of the meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia).
Meningitis is rare but it is a serious disease which can easily spread among students living in close proximity.
The advice is for all new university entrants to be vaccinated with the Men ACWY vaccine before starting university.
For more information about meningitis, including a symptoms checker and a mobile app, visit Meningitis now.
International students
International students are advised to get immunised in their home country before the start of university. Please ask your doctor/nurse for the Men ACWY vaccine.
What happens if you’re not immunised before the start of university?
- If you are entitled to free medical treatment on the NHS you may be eligible to receive the vaccinations. These are available from your local UK doctor – you should register with your local doctor as soon as possible.
- If you are not entitled to free NHS treatment, you can get vaccinations from a local travel clinic which you may need to pay for.
MHWB Recommended self-help links and resources
NHS Good Thinking – information and resources, plus free access to wellbeing apps for London residents, aimed at helping you to improve your wellbeing in particular around anxiety, stress, sleep and low mood
Students Against Depression - information and resources for students about, including downloadable self-help worksheets on Depression, Anxiety and Sleep.
Anxiety UK – support and advice for those affected by anxiety. For further information you can call 08444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 5.30pm).
Reading Well - self help books – recommended self-help books, which can be recommended on prescription by a health professional or can be taken out of most libraries in England who are part of the Reading Well scheme.
Student Minds – The UK’s student mental health charity
MHWB Recommended Support Lines
CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably – Charity that is dedicated to the prevention of young male suicide. Helpline number 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight every day)
NHS 111
Call 111 for health advice, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Papyrus - Prevention of Young Suicide – Confidential help and advice to young people and anyone worried about a young person. HOPEline number 0800 068 41 41 (open 10am-10pm Monday to Friday and 2pm-10pm on weekends) or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
The Samaritans - Confidential support if you are in a crisis, despairing or feeling suicidal. Call free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.