I came to the University having very recently experienced my first episode of depression and extreme anxiety. In hindsight, I\u2019d been living with Generalised Anxiety Disorder my whole life, but it had never been so extreme that I received a diagnosis or additional support.<\/p>\n
Despite the best efforts of my family and my therapist at home to get me to seek additional support at the University, I was adamant I was fine. In all honesty, I was terrified of my lecturers finding out and thinking I couldn\u2019t cope. I was convinced they\u2019d lower my grades or not give me extra opportunities. I also worried that if people I was meeting found out, they wouldn\u2019t want to be friends with me.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, in the years that followed, I realised I was wrong; I did need extra help. My lecturers didn\u2019t think I was weak. They didn\u2019t lower my grades. And people did want to be my friend. I wish I had heard this from someone else before starting.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve gone on to have 3 episodes of severe depression and anxiety in as many years. Even when I\u2019m not in a severe episode, the ripples of depression and anxiety are constantly underlying. I remain mindful all the time and have come to be far more accepting of support as a consequence. Each episode, the level of support I have needed has varied. That\u2019s what is so great about Bath \u2013 from my experience; they\u2019ve always had an answer. I\u2019ve never been \u2018too ill\u2019 or \u2018not ill enough,\u2019 even if they have referred me externally for suitable or additional support.<\/p>\n
Here are some other things I wish I had known as a Fresher\u2026<\/p>\n
Talk to the academic staff<\/em><\/strong> Student Services<\/em><\/strong> - Wellbeing advisors<\/strong><\/a> offer a \u2018drop-in\u2019 service. They offer a space to talk about things you are finding difficult, whether that\u2019s to do with your mental health or other parts of your wellbeing. This can be a good way to find out what additional support is available, or \u2018test out\u2019 whether you\u2019re ready to get support. They are also fantastic if you are accessing additional services, but need additional support on a particularly difficult day when the other service(s) aren\u2019t available
\nAcademics will likely have experienced someone struggling with their mental health before. They will be aware of the support available and things that can be put in place to help academically. Things they can help with:
\n- Signposting you to additional support
\n- Information on extensions
\n- Information on Individual Mitigating Circumstances<\/a> (IMC\u2019s)
\n- Information on suspending studies or moving to part-time status<\/p>\n
\nThe University has excellent confidential support services available to all students. They\u2019re experienced, and always have your best interests at heart. It can be a bit confusing at first to know what support would be best for you, so don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions. And if that support turns out not to be right, or not enough, please let them know. There\u2019s a lot of support available within the University, but if that isn\u2019t right for you, they have a lot of information about external organisations. At the end of the day, you know yourself best. It can be difficult but don\u2019t be afraid to say what you need. Here are some services available at Bath:<\/p>\n
\n- Mental health advisors<\/strong><\/a> are specially trained in supporting mental illness. They have exceptional training and can offer you a space to talk, as well as a management plan \u2013 including discussion around medication
\n- Counsellors<\/strong><\/a> offer a set number of sessions to help unpack individual difficulties you may be experiencing. Counselling can help with the processing of difficult emotions, experiences, or thoughts, as well as help you to begin to understand yourself better
\n- Disability Advisors<\/strong><\/a> can suggest things that can be put in place to assist you academically. Often, this is done through a Disabled Student Allowance (DSA), which they can help you with. Things that this may include is mentoring, skills sessions, and assistive technology or software. Disability Advisors can also create a Disability Action Plan (DAP) detailing ways you need help as a student. This may include information for your department about how your disability may affect you, as well as alternate exam arrangements
\n- Silvercloud<\/strong><\/a> is a new online course available to all students. It is an online Cognitive Behaviours Therapy (CT) Stress Management programme. There are numerous different topics covered online, including resilience and self-esteem. This may be ideal if you don\u2019t feel like you want to talk to someone yet \u2013 it\u2019s completely self-guided meaning you can work through different topics at a pace that is right for you
\n- Read Well<\/strong><\/a> is a new scheme that has seen 50 self-help books (approved by Student Services) added to the library. All are available online or to borrow as a hard copy<\/p>\n