If you’re worried about someone else's mental health and wellbeing, there are a number of things you can do:
Think
Think
- Are they in danger? If you believe someone is in immediate danger or seriously injured, call 999 or 112.
- Find a safe space. If an incident has just happened, try to find somewhere quiet, where they feel safe.
Listen
- Let the person affected know that you are concerned about them, and that the difficulties they are experiencing are not unusual – one in four people experience mental health problems each year. This might help to open a conversation.
- Listen, believe and support them. Just letting them know that you care can help to open a conversation. Never pressure someone into making choices.
Support
- Encourage them to use Report + Support to raise their concerns with an advisor and access support. Advisors can also talk to someone who is supporting that person. If they prefer, they (or you) can make an anonymous disclosure, which will allow us to investigate mental wellbeing concerns in particular areas of the Academy.
- Direct them to the mental health and wellbeing section of the Academy website and the Academy's Counselling Service.
- In the 'Further information' section of these pages, there are links to other useful external resources, including out-of-hours services for students.
Take care of yourself
It can be upsetting to listen to someone in distress. The Academy's Counselling Service offers confidential help, can advise how best to support someone, and is open to both students and staff.
It can be upsetting to listen to someone in distress. The Academy's Counselling Service offers confidential help, can advise how best to support someone, and is open to both students and staff.