Counselling & Emotional Wellbeing

I feel unhappy and depressed

Our mood varies and changes a lot of the time. Everyone gets low sometimes. We may say we are feeling 'down' or 'under the weather' or 'fed up'. Often people use these phrases to say 'I'm depressed' but this is not usually the same thing as what we would call clinical depression, but rather part of the normal 'ups and downs' of life.

So the difference between 'feeling down' and being 'depressed' is usually to do with degree and duration. If you are unhappy or wondering if you are clinically depressed, do look at the following link for further help and resources.

Read our Depression Leaflet   for further advice and help

I feel homesick

Coming away from home for the first time can feel quite scary and is a big transition to make. You may have started University life with eagerness and excitement about being in a new environment but it's suddenly hitting you how much you're missing the familiarity of life at home and the people you have left behind.

You won't be the only one! Lots of students can struggle with such a massive adjustment and any feelings of homesickness at any point in your uni life is completely normal.

Please click on the following link to pick up ideas on things you can do to help yourself if you are feeling homesick.

Read our homesickness leaflet

I think I’m drinking too much

Student life can be fun and exhilarating as well as stressful at times.  Socialising often occurs at the Student Union and other venues where alcohol is available.  New students eager to form new friendships may use alcohol to relax and overcome their inhibitions.  If it is consumed in moderation (within agreed health limits) it can help people relax and unwind after a hard day.  If not it can lead to health problems, unplanned pregnancies, accidents and relationship breakdowns.

If you are concerned about your drinking levels and worried you might be drinking too much, read our Alcohol Leaflet  

Drug issues

The information around drugs and drug use changes frequently and we suggest you check out Talk to Frank or Turning Point

Counsellors can also work with you to look at some of the underlying issues which might be contributing to drug use and support you through any changes you decide to make.

I’m not eating well

Eating problems can often be associated with internal, emotional problems. Obsessive thoughts about, and the behaviour associated with, food are used to deal with emotional distress which cannot be expressed in any other satisfactory way. The emotional distress is often to do with a negative perception of self, a feeling of being unable to change "bad" things about yourself: food is used as an inappropriate way of taking control.

This may show itself in compulsive eating; depriving yourself of food and possibly anorexia and/or bulimia.

If you are concerned about your eating patterns and want some help, please read our Eating Leaflet  

I’ve been sexually assaulted or harassed

Being harassed, sexually assualted and/or raped can be a seriously distressing experience, whether it happened years ago or only yesterday.

You may have been left with feelings of fear, guilt, powerlessness, anger, shame, depression or lacking in self confidence. It can be difficult to talk about your experience and your subsequent feelings to anyone. Yet, this is a time when support and understanding can be so helpful. Ideally, do seek help from the university counsellors. You may also find our  useful.

I’m being bullied

Bullying usually involves a person or group exploiting the fact that they feel more powerful than another.  Bullying takes on many forms, such as: leaving people out of a social circle; racist and homophobic abuse; being singled out as ‘different’; sexual abuse and discrimination; being taunted about your family situation and physical and violent attacks.

Bullying does not just happen in schools!    It can happen to anyone, at any age, in any situation in life—university included! The effects of being bullied can be huge, ranging from lack of self confidence, feeling unable to make new friendships, depression and even suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Do contact the university counselling service or read our LEAFLET LINK HERE to find further help and information

I feel angry a lot of the time

Feeling angry is a common emotion. Most people feel angry at some point in their lives. There is no obvious reason why some people experience anger more than others. There can be all sorts of factors including our character and our early chilhood experiences.

If you are someone who feels angry a lot of the and would like to understand more of what is going on and you would like some tips on managing your anger please read our managing anger leaflet for further sources of support.

I’m self-harming

Most of us act at some time in a way that is harmful to our body whether it be by drinking, smoking or other excesses. Sometimes you may choose to inflict injury on yourself in a more deliberate way such as cutting, burning, stabbing, scratching, hair pulling and bruising. Such action is rarely an attempt at suicide or an expression of madness; however, it is a sign there are problems that need addressing.

It is usually a way of indicating that difficulties exist and is also an attempt to cope with the problems. Please read our self harm leaflet to find out more if you are self harming or if you know someone who is.

I feel suicidal

The problems that lead to suicidal thinking are very complex. Often they are problems of great severity which carry with them deep feelings of shame, loneliness and hopelessness.

If you are contemplating suicide or worried about a friend who seems to be considering suicide talk to a university counsellor or someone with whom you feel 'safe' with. Talking is a way to express some of the distress and pain you are suffering and often brings emotional relief and, in turn will give you less desire to act on any suicidal thoughts.

Please see our Suicidal Thoughts Leaflet  for futher sources of support

I lack self confidence

Low self confidence is having an overall negative view of yourself, judging yourself, or placing a negative value on yourself as a person. You may be someone who is frequently criticising yourself (perhaps because you've lived in an environment where criticism is rife) or you may choose to see none of your positive qualities. These sorts of thoughts and feelings are inevitably going to pull you down and do little for your self confidence and esteem and may well be effecting your studies, your relationships and your general well-being.

I’m not sure about my sexuality

One of the exciting things about coming to university is meeting likeminded people.  It's also a place where relationships and friendships can develop and flourish.  As a part of this we can also question who we are, and what we might want from our personal and sexual relationships.

Understanding our own sexuality can be a process and it's important to do this with self care and nurture.

My parents are getting divorced

Parents divorce for many reasons. Usually divorce happens when couples feel they can no longer live together due to fighting and anger or because the love they had when they married has changed.

Divorce can also be because one parent falls in love with someone else or even due to a serious problem like drinking or abuse.

Sometimes it is because they have just decided to live apart. If your parents are divorcing, you may feel stressed out, angry, helpless, frustrated or sad.

You may also feel relieved, especially if there has been a lot of tension or fighting at home. These feelings are typical and talking about them with a friend, family member or counsellor can really help.