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Getting more help

Most colleges provide dedicated support systems to students who have emotional difficulties or mental health problems. These include:

College welfare support service

Your college will have a welfare support service available. You may be able to book standalone or regular counselling sessions with trained counsellors to help you discuss your feelings and any issues that are affecting you, such as struggles with your workload, unhealthy lifestyle patterns, anxiety or social isolation.

Peer-to-peer support groups or helplines

Student Minds is a national network of peer-support groups run by students for students, who can provide specific advice on coping with emotional difficulties at college, and onwards into university.

Winston's Wish helps children and families after the death of a parent, sibling or carer, including advice on how to talk to a child about death, funerals, and grief. It provides specific support for families who have lost someone because of serious illness, suicide or on military service.

Let's Talk About Loss runs meet-ups across the UK for young people aged 18-35, providing a safe space to talk through taboos and grief

Helplines you can call to get help now

If you are ever feeling very distressed, many colleges also provide their own volunteer-run services. You can also call the Samaritans on 116 123.

Child Bereavement UK – call 0800 028 8840 Monday – Friday, 09:00 until 17:00, or email support@childbereavement.org

Cruse Bereavement Care – call 0808 808 1677 Monday and Friday, 09:30 until 17:00, and Tuesday – Thursday 09:30 until 20:00, or email info@cruse.org.uk

Grief Encounter – call 0808 802 0111 Monday – Friday, 09:00 until 21:00, or email contact@griefencounter.org.uk

Winston's Wish – call 08088 020 021 Monday – Friday, 08:00 until 20:00, or email ask@winstonswish.org