FocusOn Student Mental Health: SHOUT for help

If you’re struggling with your mental health, there is now a free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis, called Shout. Sarah Kendrick, Shout’s Head of Quality, told us more.
For some starting at university is the best thing ever; maybe it’s the first time you’ve lived away from home, you’re starting a brand-new course, not to mention making a whole load of new friends and relationships – it’s an opportunity to really start afresh.
But change can be overwhelming as well as exciting – even the most confident of Freshers can feel lonely in new surroundings, worried about money and stressed about the academic pressure. It’s completely normal to feel concerned about these issues or the many more which might make you feel uneasy.
Everyone’s experience is different. What is really important is that you look after your body and mind and recognise when something is changing or that you’re not feeling quite right. Seeking support is always a really positive step which can empower you to manage your situation and find longer-term strategies for managing strong or difficult feelings.
Here are some options to try when you feel stressed:
> Be honest with yourself – try to ‘lean into’ the issue that’s causing you stress and explore your feelings about it without judgement, as if you were talking to a friend.
> Talk to other people – sometimes just hearing your own voice can help with working towards a solution.
> Try to be realistic about your expectations – we sometimes set ourselves goals that are impossible or even undesirable and reassessing these can release us from feeling as if we’ve failed.
> Take time out to actively relax and enjoy yourself – studies show that feel-good hormones are released during exercise and doing an activity that absorbs you can help you to manage feelings.
> Eat, sleep and rest as well as possible.
> Explore Apps designed to help you to relax and deal with anxiety – we recommend Clear Fear and What’s Up? – A Mental Health App as good ones to start with.
Remember that there is support out there – taking the first step seeking it can feel difficult but is always positive. We know it can be daunting facing these issues alone. If you want some immediate support you can text 85258 and connect to Shout, a 24/7 crisis text service. It is confidential, free on the major UK phone networks, won’t show up on your bill, and available 24/7.
It works by texting the word Shout to 85258 and after a few automated messages you will be connected to a trained Crisis Volunteer. They will introduce themselves, reflect on what you’ve said, and invite you to share at your own pace. You’ll text back and forth, only sharing what you feel comfortable with. By asking questions, listening to you and responding with support, they will help you sort through your feelings until you both feel you are now in a calm, safe place. You might be provided with some signposting to other services that can provide you with further help, so that you can continue to get support.
Shout can help with issues such as: suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm, bullying, relationship issues, academic stress, loneliness, sexuality and more. Our Crisis Volunteers operate under clinical supervision and create a safe space to talk about whatever is troubling you. It is not a one-way process, you won’t be told what to do. You will need to work with the Crisis Volunteer to form your plan.
If a life is at imminent risk call 999 for emergency help.
For more information: visit www.giveusashout.org follow @giveusashout on Twitter and @giveusashoutinsta on Instagram.
Text SHOUT to 85258 for immediate support 24/7.