Get advice on health and wellbeing, here we direct you to Queen Mary services as well as other specialist agencies who can provide you with help and more detailed information.

Health & Wellbeing


Mental Health and Physical Health play key roles in the life we live and are very much a continuum throughout our lives. You can experience good mental health and/or physical health and you may have times when you experience difficulties with your mental health and/or physical health. Many students who come to university have mental health conditions or start to experience difficulties during their studies. Your physical health can help support your mental health and wellbeing and the information on this page can help guide you. Remember, if you feel you need support or you want to support a friend or flat mate, there are a number of organisations that can help.


Support at QMUL
 
Advice and Counselling Service

Confidential, professional counselling support and advice for emotional, psychological, financial and student welfare issues.

Click here
Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS)

Support for students with disabilities, specific learning differences and mental health issues. They offer advice and guidance on areas such as examination arrangements and provide one to one tuition and support workers.

Click here
GP / Student Health Service

The Student Health Service is available to all students living in QMUL accommodation at the Mile End or Whitechapel campuses or who live in the borough of Tower Hamlets (E1, E2, E3 and E14). It is located on the ground floor of the Geography Building on the Mile End campus.

If you do not live locally and would like to register with a GP where you live, you can search for a GP surgery on the NHS website using your postcode. GP surgeries will normally register all international students. You can find information about how to access healthcare as a UK, international or EU/EEA student here.

Click here Find a GP
Student Support in your School

Each School or Institute has a dedicated student support contact who can offer advice on matters you feel may be impeding your ability to study. They can advise you on issues such as extenuating circumstances or examination arrangements. A list of contacts for each School or Institute can be found at the link below.

Click here
Students’ Union Academic Advice Service

The Students’ Union provides confidential advice and advocacy support on a range of academic issues including extenuating circumstances, appeals, academic misconduct investigations, disciplinary hearings and complaints. The service is confidential, non-judgemental and free and is open to all current students. It is independent from Queen Mary University of London, meaning issues discussed with the service will not appear on your University record without your consent.

Click here
External Organisations and Helplines
 

There are many external charities and organisations that can offer support, information and guidance about mental health conditions. Some of these provide support for mental health generally, while others focus more on a specific area. Click on the links for more information.


Mind

Provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

0300 123 3393 or text 86463

Click here
Rethink

National mental health charity that works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness gain a better quality of life.

0300 5000 927

Click here
Sane

Established to improve the quality of life for people affected by mental illness. SANELINE is a national, 7 days a week, out-of-hours telephone helpline for anyone coping with mental illness, including concerned friends or relatives.

0300 3047 000

Click here
Step Forward

Local charity that offers free and confidential services (sexual health, counselling, LGBT+ support group, personal development and family support service) to young people aged up to 25 years old living in and around Tower Hamlets.

020 7739 3082

Click here
Anxiety UK

Working to relieve and support those living with anxiety disorders.

0844 4775 774

Click here
No Panic

Support for people (and their carers) suffering from anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder and other related anxiety disorders.

0844 967 4848

Click here
BiPolar UK

User-led charity working to enable people affected by bipolar disorder to take control of their lives.

020 7931 6480

Click here
Students against Depression

Provides a calm environment and the resources to help you find a way forward.

Click here
Beat Eating Disorders

UK's leading charity supporting those affected by eating disorders and campaigning on their behalf.

080 8801 0811 (student helpline)

Click here
Harmless

User-led organisation that provides a range of services for self-harm and suicide prevention including support, information, training and consultancy to people who self-harm, their friends and families and professionals and those at risk of suicide.

Click here
Papyrus

National UK charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. Offers confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide and anyone worried about a young person.

080 0068 4141 (helpline)

Click here
Cruse Bereavement Care

Information, advice and counselling helping people to understand grief and bereavement through individual support and group work.

080 8808 1677

Click here
The Mix

Support service for young people on a huge range of issues, including mental health, money, homelessness, finding a job, relationships and alcohol/drugs. You can call their free helpline or speak to someone online or via text.

0808 808 4994

Click here
Samaritans

Helpline offering 24-hour confidential support for anyone who is struggling to cope or who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.

116 123

Click here
Nightline

Confidential listening, support and practical information service for students. You can talk to them through their helpline, online, via text, email or Skype.

020 7631 0101 or text 077 1798 9900 or Skype londonnightline

Click here
Online Resources and Apps
 
Togetherall

Togetherall is a 24/7 online community. It contains information and advice about mental health conditions and is moderated by professional counsellors. It is completely anonymous. Access is free with a Queen Mary University of London email address.

Click here
Headspace

Headspace's mission is to provide every person access to lifelong mental health support.

Click here
Insight Timer

Insight Timer is a free app for monitoring and managing sleep, anxiety and stress.

Click here
Wellbeing Workshops
 
Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies

Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies is offering the opportunity to engage with a recorded webinar looking at anxiety and stress. This webinar aims to raise awareness of the common causes and symptoms of anxiety as well as strategies to manage these symptoms .We will then be looking at the link between anxiety and stress and top tips to manage stress. To get access, you must be a resident or have a GP in Tower Hamlets and complete the form to receive the link.

Sign-up to access on-demand webinar here

Physical Health
 

It is important to register with a GP (General Practitioner) as soon as you arrive at University. You can do this through the Student Health Service. For all other physical health needs, please see the information below.


Registering with a GP / Student Health Service

The Student Health Service is available to all students living in QMUL accommodation at the Mile End or Whitechapel campuses or who live in the borough of Tower Hamlets (E1, E2, E3 and E14). It is located on the ground floor of the Geography Building on the Mile End campus.

If you do not live locally and would like to register with a GP where you live, you can search for a GP surgery on the NHS website using your postcode. GP surgeries will normally register all international students. You can find information about how to access healthcare as a UK, international or EU/EEA student here.

Click here
Medical emergencies

An emergency is a critical or life-threatening situation. In many cases the quickest way to get help is to go to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. A&E departments are located in certain hospitals and are open 24 hours a day. You can use the use the “Find and choose” tool on the NHS website to find your nearest A&E.

The closest A&E to the Mile End and Whitechapel campuses is at The Royal London Hospital, located opposite Whitechapel underground station.

If you think immediate treatment by paramedics is needed, call 999 for an ambulance.

Find your nearest A&E
Walk-in/urgent care centres

Walk-in/urgent care centres are a facility you can go to if you have a minor illness or injury and it can't wait until your GP surgery is open. You can find information about what medical issues these centres deal with and how to access your local centre.

Click here
Pharmacies

A pharmacist can give you advice for many common minor illnesses, such as diarrhoea, minor infections, headache, travel advice or sore throats. A list of pharmacies located near to QMUL can be obtained from the Student Health Service located on the ground floor of the Geography Building on the Mile End campus. Alternatively, you can use the “Find and choose” tool on the NHS website to find a local pharmacy.

Find a pharmacy
Dental care

You can use the "Find and choose" tool on the NHS website to find a local dentist to register with.

Find a dentist
Opticians

A list of opticians located near to QMUL can be obtained from the Student Health Service located on the ground floor of the Geography Building on the Mile End Campus. Alternatively, you can use the "Find and choose" service on the NHS website to find a local optician.

Find an optician
Sexual Health

If you want to find out how to access sexual healthcare, please visit our page on sexual health.

Click here
Useful information

NHS 111 – You can call 111 when you need medical help but it’s not an emergency (in an emergency you should call 999). You can call 111 for medical advice over the phone and they will advise you about what to do. This may involve providing healthcare advice or directing you to local medical care. You can call 24 hours a day, and calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. There is also a confidential interpreter service available in many languages, simply state which language you wish to use when the NHS 111 operator answers your call.

UKCISA Health and Healthcare advice – If you are an international student, you can find out here what National Health Service (NHS) treatment you are entitled to, what services are free of charge and general advice about keeping healthy during your studies in the UK.


Nutrition
 

The following pages provide useful information on managing nutrition.


Sleep
 

The following resources provide information on the range of factors which may result in having difficulties sleeping. They also provide advice on what to try to overcome these difficulties.

Further sleep resources:

  • Mind has booklets and factsheets about sleep problems that you can download. These include 'How to cope with sleep problems' and 'Making sense of sleeping pills and minor tranquillisers'.
  • Living Life to the Full provides a free, practical online course for building a range of life skills and includes a module on sleeping better.
  • National Sleep Foundation is an American website which provides information and advice on overcoming difficulties sleeping.
  • Mental Health foundation

Sleep Podcasts:

  • Free downloadable audio podcasts have been produced by the Mental Health Foundation which can help you relax and prepare to go to sleep. You can listen to them on your computer or download them to your phone or mp3 player.
  • Wellbeing and Sleep: Full Works (5 mins) - this podcast is intended to be listened to in bed. It can help you relax and get ready to go to sleep.

Bibliotherapy:

  • Overcoming Insomnia and Sleep Problems: A self-help guide using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques by Colin A. Espie, 2006

Physical Activity
 
Club Sport

Join one of our 60 plus clubs, represent your university, and compete in local, national, and international events!

Click here
Qmotion timetable

The gym offers an expensive range of equipment and activities suitable to all abilities.

Click here
Get Active Timetable

QMSU Sport run weekly timetabled activities for you to get involved with on and close to campus.

Click here
Wellbeing Walks

Walk and Talk: During term time, QMSU run weekly wellbeing walks every Wednesday lunch time from 12:30 – 13:00, meeting in Library Square on Mile End Campus.


Get Active campus pop ups

Every Wednesday afternoon on the Mile End campus, QMSU Sport brings you a variety of FREE activities for you to take part in, either on your own or with friends and colleagues. Sessions range from badminton and basketball to spike ball and the Teqball.

See all events
Social Leagues

A fun social environment for students and staff to compete in sport without the commitment required for a sports club.

Click here
Get active both in your home and out in the community

Before you do anything, make sure that you check the latest government guidance on what you can or cannot do. Note that Queen Mary Students' Union is not responsible for any of the content on these pages and we encourage you to use your best judgement and asses your own ability before you take part.


Exercise
  • Joe Wicks: The national treasure Joe Wicks has some fantastic free online sessions you can use to kick start and maintain your programme. There are a mix of levels so you find something that works for you.
  • Our Parks: If you want homework outs, daily yoga or classes you can do with the kids Our Parks has it covered with a super hand colour coded grading system so you know what you’re getting yourself into!
  • Park Run: Park run offer a fantastic free opportunity to run 5k every week in your local area with fellow runners of all abilities, shapes and sizes – COVID restrictions may apply.

If you or another person are in immediate danger of harming yourself or others, call 999. An ambulance may be called if appropriate, and they will advise whether you should go to A&E. You can also go to your nearest A&E department.

NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do.

Mental health crisis support

You can access urgent mental health support by:

  • Requesting an urgent appointment with your GP (GPs are offering video/phone consultations)
  • Contacting your local NHS Mental Health Crisis Number (24 hours) – enter the borough, county or town where you are currently living and ‘Mental Health Crisis Line’ into your search engine (see details for Tower Hamlets)
  • Calling Samaritans on 116 123 (24 hours, 365 days a year)

You can also access the following crisis support services:

Recent News

Next Student Council: Tuesday 22 October

Fri 18 Oct 2024

The agenda and papers for the next Student Council meeting are now live on our website. Watch the livestream on YouTube or request to join the online Zoom meeting to participate and speak.

 
 

Contact Us

Student Voice

Contact the Student Voice team at your Students’ Union with any questions you may have.