Study mentoring video
The role of the Student Mental Health Advisers is to provide support for students who may have had, or are experiencing moderate to severe or enduring mental health difficulties.
Students can be referred into The Student Mental Health Advisers via the Student Mental Health Intervention Officers. This can be through a self-referral or a referral on behalf of a student by another student or a member of staff. A referral to the Student Mental Health Intervention Officers can be made through this form
The SMHAs abide by the Student Counselling and Mental Health Advice Service Confidentiality and Data protection policy.
The Student Mental Health Advisers do not offer an emergency service. In an emergency please contact your doctor or attend your nearest accident and emergency department at hospital.
Student Mental Health Advice
At the first meeting the student’s needs are assessed, confidentiality and consent is discussed, and an individual support plan is created. This may include:
- Practical advice
- Signposting to another service within College
- Liaising with academic or other College staff, with the students consent
- Education and information about particular conditions
- Advice on how to recognise and cope in a crisis
- Relapse prevention strategies and care planning
- Liaising with other College support services such as the Disability Advisory service or Student Counselling, Liaising with external health providers where appropriate and with the student consent
Students can be seen on an on-going or intermittent basis or for assistance with specific issues requiring short term intervention/support.
All members of staff can contact the Student Mental Health Intervention Officers and speak confidentially about concerns they may have about a student’s wellbeing. The Student Mental Health Intervention Officers will then be able to advise on a referral via the Concerned About a Student route, which could result in an assessment with a Mental Health Adviser.
The Student Mental Health Advisers can offer a source of information and advice for staff who are supporting students who have been referred through this process and are receiving ongoing support.
The Student Mental Health Advisers can be contacted by email at studentmentalhealthadvice@imperial.ac.uk
Mental health study mentors
Study mentoring is a form of specialist support for students with mental and physical health difficulties, Asperger syndrome and Attention Deficit [Hyperactivity] disorder.
It is designed to support students keep on track with their academic work, by helping them to identify the impact of their condition upon their learning and to develop effective study strategies.
Study Mentoring is not subject specific but aims to facilitate the development of a range of skills needed in Higher Education, such as:
- Organisation, time management and planning work
- Procrastination
- Concentration difficulties
- Coping with stress
- Motivation and goal-setting
- Maintaining realistic study patterns
Study Mentors abide by the Student Counselling and Mental Health Advice Service Confidentiality and Data protection policy. They provide a confidential and non-judgemental setting for students to discuss any difficulties they experience with academic study related to their condition.
Students cannot self-refer to Study Mentoring. In order to access the service they would need to:
- Contact the Disability Advisory Service and request an assessment of your needs. Once an assessment has been completed, they can recommend Study mentoring if it is considered appropriate for you.
Urgent Care
If you need urgent help please contact your doctor, or Imperial College Health Centre on 020 7584 6301.
You can also ask to see someone at the Accident and Emergency department of your nearest hospital. Information about your local A&E services can be found here - Find your nearest A&E - NHS (www.nhs.uk) Call 999 if you need help straight away
Other urgent out of hours mental health support
Samaritans - for people experience high levels of distress including suicidal feelings. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org, this service is 24 hours.
Shout crisis text service - offers a 24 hour text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Text 'SHOUT' to 85258.