Brunel Support
If you would like to be referred to the counselling team or the University listening service, please get in touch with the Student Support and Welfare Team to request an appointment:
Tel: 01895 268268 (option 2)
Email: studentsupport@brunel.ac.uk
Website: https://students.brunel.ac.uk/brunel-help
If you need support during the festive closure period, please contact the University’s out of hours support service. They provide free, confidential counselling and wellbeing support. You can get in touch with the team via phone, live chat, WhatsApp and the online portal.
Freephone UK: 0800 0318227
International: 00353 1 518 0277
Online platform: app.spectrum.life (password: brunelUL)
National Mental Health Support
Mind UK
- Mind's Support Line - Mind’s offers a support line (0300 102 1234) where you can talk safely and confidentially to trained advisors about your feelings and the right steps for your mental health and wellbeing. It will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2024, and 1 January 2025.
- Mind Infoline - Mind offers an Infoline (0300 123 3393) where you can ask about mental health problems, where to get help near you, treatment options and advocacy services. It will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2024, and 1 January 2025.
- Local Minds – Local Minds offer face-to-face services across England and Wales. These services include talking therapies, peer support and advocacy. You can check your local Mind’s website for Christmas opening times. To find your local mind, click here.
- Side by Side – Side by Side is Mind’s supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem. You can access the community any time, including on Christmas Day and other bank holidays. For more information click here or email sidebysideonline@mind.org.uk .
Samaritans
Samaritans are unique charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide. Samaritans are there 24/7 for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. They give people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others.
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
Helpline: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Letter: Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS
Visit A Branch: https://www.samaritans.org/branches/
Shout
Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258.
Student Minds
Student Minds is the UK’s student mental health charity. They empower students to build their own mental health toolkit to support themselves and their peers through university life and beyond. They deliver Student Space, which is a service that provides advice and information.
Website: https://www.studentminds.org.uk/ / https://studentspace.org.uk/
Freephone: 0808 189 5260 (7 days a week 3pm-12am)
Textphone: STUDENT’ to 85258
Papyrus
Offers confidential advice and support if you're struggling with suicidal thoughts, and information about how to make a safety plan. Its helpline service - HOPELINE247 - is available to anybody under the age of 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, or for anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. It is open 24/7 every day of the year.
Website: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Tel: 0800 068 4141
Text: 88247
YoungMinds
YoungMinds is a charity supporting young people with their mental health. They offer a helpline for parents worried about their children, and a text service for young people looking for help and support. They provide a crisis messenger for urgent help that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Crisis Messenger: text ‘YM’ to 85258
Support for Estranged Adults
Stand Alone
Stand Alone offers support services to prevent estranged adults becoming vulnerable. They talk openly about the experience of family estrangement to help others lead lives that are less isolated.
Website: https://www.standalone.org.uk/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/standaloneworldwide/
Breakaway
Breakaway is a supportive and engaging community for estranged adult children where a conscious decision to estrange from one or both of their parents has been made.
Website: https://breakaway.org.uk/
Reddit Support Community: https://www.reddit.com/r/EstrangedAdultKids/
Together Estranged
Together Estranged aim to support and empower those estranged from family, while working to destigmatize estrangement in the public sphere. They support and acknowledge people who've lost family relationships due to childhood trauma, abuse and lack of acceptance for being who they are. Together Estrange promote understand that family challenges can really hurt and promote strength and inner healing.
Website: https://www.togetherestranged.org/
Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/togetherestranged