The Wellbeing Team, based in Student Services, provides emotional and psychological support to students at York St John University. They are located in the Holgate Student Centre and have a variety of Mental Health, Welfare and Counselling professionals in our team. They are a confidential service and work with students on a wide range of issues with the primary aim being to support students during their university experience in order that they can achieve their academic potential.
It is very likely students will speak to you about personal difficulties in their life. There is guidance elsewhere in this document about active listening and the power of really being heard. It is tempting to try and solve student problems but the tutor role is one of empowering the student and when appropriate signposting to specialist support. Students, in the most part, have not been to university before and often normalising how they are feeling can be helpful for them to understand they are not the only one experiencing the challenges of university.
There will be time though when you do need to refer and for students struggling emotionally or needing support in managing their mental health please signpost them to the daily Wellbeing Drop-In. This takes place Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 1-2pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-5pm. Ask the student to go to the Student Information Desk in Holgate who will take their name, provide them with some forms to complete and then direct them to the quiet private space by the Holgate Interview Rooms. The Wellbeing Drop-In is an assessment session with a member of the team to help decide what intervention will best help that student at that time.
Aside from individual counselling and mental health support the team offer coaching sessions, psycho-educational workshops, self-help materials, mindfulness classes and access to a 24/7 online peer support community called Big White Wall which is free of charge to our students.
If you think your student is at risk of taking their own life or you are concerned that they might hurt someone else please follow the ‘how to help a student in crisis’ flowchart. The Wellbeing Team webpages have a section ‘Worried about someone else’ and there is online training available for staff.
Contact Details
https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/student-services/health-and-wellbeing-/
T: 01904 876477
E: wellbeing@yorksj.ac.uk