University Support and Services
You can find here a comprehensive list of support available to University members in the Mental Health and wellbeing space
SUPPORT FOR STAFF
Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme
University staff now have access to an Employee Assistance Programme, delivered by Health Assured – the UK’s leading wellbeing provider. Health Assured is a confidential employee benefit designed to help you deal with any personal and professional problems that may affect your home or work life, health, and general wellbeing.
It is a complete support network that offers expert advice and guidance 24/7, including:
- Counselling for emotional problems and a pathway to structured therapy sessions;
- Legal information for issues that cause anxiety or distress;
- Bereavement support, including access to experienced counsellors and legal advisors;
- Medical information: Qualified nurses are on hand to offer support on a range of medical or health-related issues offering practical information and advice (not 24/7);
- Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): a range of self-help modules, informative fact sheets and invaluable advice videos from leading qualified counsellors; and
- A wellbeing app and portal offering Live Chat and a virtual library of wellbeing articles and guides.
To find out more about the free and confidential services available to you and how to access them, please visit Health Assured | Staff Gateway (ox.ac.uk). Health Assured is part of the University’s staff wellbeing programme Thriving at Oxford.
TOGETHERALL
All students and staff at the University of Oxford can access Togetherall’s 24 hour, safe online mental health support. An online peer-to-peer support community offering discussions mediated by mental health professionals, self-learning courses and resources. Register for free for Togetherall and select "I'm from a University or college"
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Occupational Health provides a service that promotes and supports physical and mental wellbeing in the workplace. It offers a range of services including advice to managers, the employee counselling service (more below) and health surveillance.
THRIVING AT OXFORD
A new Oxford programme supporting you to feel and perform at your best as part of the University community: Thriving at Oxford launched in MT 2022.
The University is committed to creating an environment where "everybody is supported to feel and perform at their best as part of the University community".
SLEEPIO (SSO LOGIN REQUIRED)
Online sleep improvement program featuring interactive CBT techniques, offered by the University's Occupational Health Service in collaboration with the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences.
BULLYING AND HARASSMENT
EDU BULLYING AND HARASSMENT WEBPAGES
Information for staff and students on the University's response to harassment and bullying including support and advice
BULLYING AND HARASSMENT ADVISORS
If you or someone you know within the University is experiencing bullying or harassment, get in touch with the Harassment Advisory Service or your local Advisors for support and advice on the procedure. More information about the harassment procedure can be found on these webpages. MSD Bullying and harassment advisors can be found here MSD Harassment Network
SUPPORT FOR DISABLED STAFF
DISABILITY WEBPAGES
Information, support and guidance for disabled staff at the University, including:
Reasonable Adjustments for disabled staff
Reasonable adjustments for mental ill-health
NEUROVIDERSITY SUPPORT
The University pages on Support for Neurodivergent staff contain a wealth of resources and links, to join the ‘Neurodiversity at Oxford’ mailing list send an email to the project by clicking here
WORKING PARENTS
WORK AND FAMILY SPACE
The Work + Family Space is a University benefit for all employees that offers access to emergency back-up childcare and adultcare, a 'speak to an expert' phone line, and a wide range of guides and webinars. Access to the services, phone lines and web guidance is free for University employees, but you will need to meet the costs of any care that you book. Find out more on the Work + Family Space webpage, or watch our video on Work + Family Space from Mental Health Awareness Week 2021!
WORKING PARENTS PEER SUPPORT
For working parents there is a new Working Parents at Oxford Teams group to make connections with other working parents across the University. You can join here and hear about new events, services and activity, and connect with other folk who are facing the same issues as you.
RAINBOW FAMILIES PEER SUPPORT
Parents who identify as LGBTQIA can join the LGBT+ Staff Network teams space which has a specific channel for rainbow families to connect and access mutual support.
FOR STUDENTS
STUDENT COUNSELLING SERVICE
All students at the University have access to a free student counselling service provided by Welfare and Student Support. They also provide advice to staff who are concerned about students.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICE - FOR STUDENTS
The Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service provides a safe space for students to be heard, with advisors offering free support and advice to any current student who has been impacted by sexual harassment or violence. All specialist advisors at the service are trained to support you at your pace, free of charge and in confidence.
SUPPORT FOR DISABLED STUDENTS
Information, support and guidance for current and prospective students with disabilities can be found on these EDU webpages
STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH E-LEARNING FOR UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE STAFF
A free e-learning package for all university / college staff from the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust is now available. For students in distress, the first point of contact is often with non-specialist university/ college staff. The first conversation students have with a member of staff like this can be vital – in ensuring they receive a warm, empathic and understanding response to help them immediately, and that they are then signposted, if necessary, to receive help from a mental health specialist.
Developed by the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, this new e-learning package is designed to give non-specialist staff the skills, knowledge and confidence to offer this first line of support. Introduced by well-known TV presenter Alexander Armstrong, the package consists of six, easy-to-follow 20-minute sessions, including: Signs to look out for, key helping skills, knowing who else to involve, and supporting students at risk or in crisis.
PEER SUPPORT - FOR STUDENTS
The Peer Support Programme was developed in the early 1990s in recognition of the essential role students play in supporting and encouraging one another on a day-to-day basis throughout their time at university. Students can seek peer support from other students at the University.
External support
Emergency and crisis helplines:
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you should ring 999 or visit your nearest Accident and Emergency department. If you need urgent help, but it is not a medical emergency, you can ring 111 for professional health advice, or contact your GP.
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Organisation |
Organisational focus |
Phone number |
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When life is tough, Samaritans are here to listen at any time of the day or night. You can talk to them about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult. |
116 123 |
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Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope |
Text SHOUT to 85258 |
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You can call for 24-hour advice and support - for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for |
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SANEline is a national out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support. Normally open every day of the year from 4pm to 10pm |
0300 304 7000 |
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Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. Open 24/7 |
0800 689 5652 |
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If you're under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK |
0800 068 4141 |
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You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service |
0800 58 58 58 |
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Switchboard is a charity that has been listening to, supporting and connecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer communities. All call operators identify as LGBT+ |
01273 204050 |
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For more options, visit the Helplines Partnership website for a directory of UK helplines. |
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Other ongoing local mental health Support Services:
Mental Health support : Taking Space Plus
Talking Space Plus offer a range of FREE talking therapies to over 14,000 people a year across Oxfordshire. We are part of the NHS and offer services to patients registered with an Oxfordshire GP.
Most adults refer themselves, but if you are aged between 16-18 you will need to be referred to us by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Spa and we are currently able to offer you Guided self-help/CBT on an individual basis at this stage. To access TSP, please contact CAMHS via 01865 902515. You can also look on the CAMHS website for further information
TalkingSpace Plus was established in 2009 and we have treated over 100,000 people suffering from low mood, anxiety and depression. We follow a stepped care model to decide which intervention is most appropriate for you. We will always start with the least intensive treatment; often our courses and groups.
Mind: The mental health charity
Via MIND you can find links to local support near to you, including