Health and wellbeing
University life can be full of ups and downs, and throughout your time here you may need someone to talk to. We have a range of support available to help you to look after your physical and mental wellbeing.
Based in the Centre for Student Life (Cathays Campus), Cardigan House (Heath Park Campus) and through Student Connect, we are available to help if you are:
- experiencing personal, emotional or psychological difficulties
- are concerned about your safety
- have experienced violence or abuse
- are interested in living a healthier lifestyle
Professional accreditation
Our counselling service is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Holistic and individualised approach
Our counsellors and wellbeing practitioners use a holistic, individualised approach to providing psychological support, that best fits your needs.
Stonewall diversity champion
Cardiff University is recognised as a Top Trans Employer and ranked 7th out of 100 employers in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2022.
How can we support you?
Our service consists of several, specialist teams staffed by professionals and able to provide you with support based on your needs.
Counselling and wellbeing
Our Counselling and Wellbeing Practitioners offer a wide range of support, including:
- self-help resources: information and self-help techniques via the intranet for a wide range of health and wellbeing matters that may impact your student life
- peer support: Wellbeing Champions are students who are trained to provide support and signposting to fellow students, in confidence. Talk Campus is an online, peer support community where you can connect with other students who may have had similar experiences and can relate to what you might be going through.
- workshops, courses and groups: we run a wide range of wellbeing workshops, guided self-help courses and therapeutic groups throughout the year, intended to support you with specific difficulties
- wellbeing drop-ins: these offer an opportunity to speak with a Wellbeing Practitioner briefly for same-day advice and signposting, without the need to book in advance
- one-to-one therapy appointments: our Wellbeing Practitioners and Counsellors are trained in a range of therapeutic approaches and provide initial consultations and short-term ongoing support, taking a holistic approach to providing psychological and practical support, based on your needs
- trans and non-binary support: our Trans Support Advisers offer practical support and advice for any student undergoing transition or wishing to transition whilst at University.
Our teams offer both in-person and online support (using webcam, audio call, instant messaging or email), based on your preference. It is also possible to switch to a different medium for your support as desired.
We can also refer you for urgent support and help you with finding specialist support if this is needed.
When I was struggling, the Wellbeing team was a truly great support and now I really want to give back and help others in the way that I was helped.
Student Intervention Team
Our Student Intervention Officers exist to support you if you have serious concerns for yourself or another students' safety, but it's not an emergency.
Situations which may warrant a SIT referral include:
- a significant change in behaviour relating to a mental health or wellbeing issue
- behaviour that could pose a risk to self, such as: self-harm, disordered eating and substance misuse, or a risk to others
- suicidal ideation including thoughts, plans or intent
- signs of paranoia or psychosis
- difficulty managing everyday activities, challenges engaging and seeking or adhering to support offered by other services
Disclosure Response Team
Our Disclosure Response Advisers can provide practical support if you have experienced an incidence of violence and abuse, including harassment, hate crime, sexual violence, relationship abuse, bullying and other forms of unacceptable behaviour.
They can support you by:
- supporting you with managing your safety if this is an immediate concern
- contacting you via phone, online or face to face, to talk about what you have experienced and look at options of support
- providing practical support with housing, financial and academic needs with specific information on what to do if you live or study with someone who has been violent or abusive
- signposting to specialist agencies
- explaining reporting options and offer support whilst reporting, if this is an option that is right for you
- explaining university complaint procedures
Residence Life Team
Our Residence Life Team are dedicated to enhancing your student experience by helping to create a community within residences where you feel a sense of belonging and inclusion. The team encourages you to share your experiences and to access quality support services to help you make the most of your student life and achieve your personal goals and aspirations.
Residence Life Coordinators and student Residence Life Assistants work in partnership with Residences Management and your Students’ Union.
Find them on Browzer and Instagram and see for yourself how they are supporting students in university accommodation.
When I started university in the midst of a pandemic, the importance of student mental health and wellbeing services became apparent to me. I believe it is important to start the discussion about student mental health and tackle the stigma surrounding it. I believe being a Wellbeing Champion gives a wonderful platform to put these words into action.
Occupational health
Our Occupational Health team based at Heath Park campus provide support to healthcare students in preparation for your course and placements.
We also have Park Place GP surgery if you live in the catchment area. This service is provided as a joint collaboration between us and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
Where can you find us?
Our services are available at both the Centre for Student Life (Cathays Campus) and Cardigan House (Health Park Campus), and our Residence Life team is based within university residences.
The Mental Health University Liaison Service
The Mental Health University Liaison Service bridges the gap between supporting your health and wellbeing and the threshold for access to NHS services. You can access this service via referral from our Student Life teams, including Student Health and Wellbeing team and the Student Disability Service, from your GP or from NHS Adult Mental Health Services within the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
The team is made up of NHS Mental Health Practitioners and offer appointments virtually or in the Centre for Student Life. They offer mental health assessments, coproduction of safety plans, onward referral and signposting to other NHS, university and 3rd sector services for students presenting with moderate, long term or complex mental health needs.
The pilot launched in April 2022, and you can read the key findings in the executive summary for phase 1 of the project here.
