Mental health

This guidance has been produced for students who are struggling with their mental health. It provides information for taking the first steps, making empowered decisions and getting the right support for you.

When should I seek help?

Seeking help is often the first step towards getting and staying well, but it can be hard to know how to start or where to turn to. It’s common to feel unsure, and to wonder whether you should try to handle things on your own. But it’s always ok to ask for help – even if you’re not sure you are experiencing a specific mental health problem.

A mental health emergency is when you feel your mental health is at breaking point. For example, you may be experiencing:

Anxiety or panic attacks.
Self-harming behaviour or suicidal feelings.
Behaviour which you feel is out of control and may endanger yourself or others.
Psychotic episodes (examples such as hallucinations, paranoia, or hearing voices).

If you feel at immediate risk of harm to yourself, go straight to the nearest A&E department (this is at Southport and Formby District Hospital if you live in Ormskirk) or call the Emergency Services on 999.

You might want to seek help if you’re:

Worrying more than usual
Finding it hard to enjoy your life
Having thoughts and feelings that are difficult to cope with, which have an impact on your day-to-day life

If your safety is at immediate risk call 999 or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department.

Services available to you on campus

The Wellbeing Team – 08:45-17:00

If you need support you can contact the Student Services Wellbeing Team during office hours:

Phone number: 01695 650988
Email: [email protected]
Walk-in: Go to the helpdesk in the Catalyst Building
For more information on how the team can help, visit the Wellbeing webpages.

Campus Support – available 24/7, 365 days a year

Remember, Campus Support are always available out of hours if you need help while on campus.
Phone Number: call 01695 584227 or text 07785928911

Other Crisis Support off Campus:

NHS 111

If you don’t feel you to need to access A&E but you need immediate medical help and advice you can call NHS 111 or you can ring your GP for an emergency appointment.

The Samaritans

The Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 (free from any phone) or you can email [email protected].

They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Liverpool Light Service

If you are near the Liverpool area, you can get in touch with the Liverpool Light Service. This is a preventative out-of-hours mental health crisis service, open from 6pm – 12am, 7 days a week.

It has been set up to provide a safe place for people who are experiencing or at risk of a mental health crisis. Please note that this service is not in place of the 999 emergency service, if an ambulance is required you should call 999 immediately. For more information, visit the Liverpool Light Service website.

Papyrus HOPELineUK

24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response Line

Operated by trained mental health professionals who will offer help, advice, mental health assessments, referrals and access to the Trust’s wider mental health services, including home treatment.

Lancashire – 0800 953 0110

Greater Manchester – 0800 051 3253

Merseycare – 0800 145 6570

Find your local 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response Line

SHOUT Crisis Text Service

You can access 24/7 crisis support by texting SHOUT to 85258 for support.

Emergency GP appointments

Even if you don’t feel you’re facing a mental health emergency it is always a good idea to talk to your GP if you feel you are struggling with your mental health. They will be able to assist you with support and treatment before it becomes a more serious problem.

Services with a webchat/email

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

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.

The Mix

If you’re under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (3pm–midnight every day), request support by email on The Mix website or use their crisis text messenger service.

Concerns about someone else

If you are concerned about another student at Edge Hill, please visit our let us know webpages for more information on what you can do.