Services We Offer

Two people sitting on a couch facing each other.

The Wellbeing Assessment is the heart of our service – it’s the starting point and main way to access tailored emotional and mental health support while at college. This 30/45 minute confidential phone or video appointment allows us to understand what you’re experiencing and work with you to find the most appropriate support.

Why the Wellbeing Assessment matters

The Wellbeing Assessment is not a counselling session – it’s a space for you to talk with a trained practitioner about how you're feeling, what’s going on in your life, and what support would best suit your needs.

What to expect during a wellbeing assessment:

  • A space to talk: You’ll have the opportunity to speak openly about how you’ve been feeling, any concerns you may have, or challenges you’re experiencing whether that’s stress, low mood, anxiety, relationship issues, or simply feeling stuck or overwhelmed.
  • A supportive conversation: The focus is on you - there’s no pressure, no right or wrong way to talk, and no need to have everything figured out. This is a safe, non-judgemental space to reflect on what you need. You don’t need a diagnosis or to be in crisis to book a Wellbeing Assessment.
  • Help to explore support options: Together, you’ll look at what kind of support might be helpful. Our goal is to help you find the most appropriate support for your situation. This could include:
    • Signposting or referrals to specialist mental health or wellbeing services external to the college.
    • Opportunities to take part in our wellbeing activities including yoga or mindfulness.
    • Guidance on improving resilience and emotional wellbeing through psychoeducation.
    • Information about upcoming wellbeing events and workshops.
    • Referrals to other helpful College services such as Student Advice or Learning Support.
    • Access to short-term counselling (six sessions) within the college.
  • Exploring a way forward: Sometimes the next steps are clear, and sometimes it may take more time or exploration, either way, we’ll help you consider your options and make sure you feel supported in moving forward.

How to Access Support

The first and best step is to book a Wellbeing Assessment. This is open to all students and can be arranged via CityLife. During the assessment, you’ll speak with a member of our team who will explore your concerns and help identify the best next steps.

➡️ CityLife > Health and Wellbeing > Wellbeing Assessment

Crisis or urgent support

We are not a crisis or emergency service.

  • For urgent support, please use the Crisis Support page.
  • In an emergency, call 999, or NHS 111 (option 2) to speak with a mental health practitioner.

For more practical issues such as housing or financial concerns please contact a Student Advisor.

For additional support or learning needs, please contact Learning Support.

What is Counselling?

If, after assessment, you’re offered short-term counselling, this typically means up to 6 weekly sessions of 50 minutes. Students can have these:

  • In-person at City or Riverside Campus
  • By telephone
  • By video call via Microsoft Teams
  • Outdoor Counselling at Glasgow Green

Counselling is a space to talk, reflect, and work through emotional or psychological difficulties. It can take time to feel the benefits, and some sessions may feel challenging—but it can be deeply rewarding.

 

 

    Events 

    Our college regularly hosts a variety of wellbeing events designed to support your mental, emotional, and physical health.These events provide a chance to connect with others, explore a variety of wellbeing resources, and take some time for yourself in a welcoming and supportive environment. Attending wellbeing events can be a great way to boost your mood, reduce stress, and build a stronger sense of community during your time at college. 

    Keep an eye on our events calendar, social media channels, and your college email for the latest updates and how to get involved. These events are free and open to all students. 

    Mindfulness  

    Mindfulness is a useful tool for us to use when we are feeling overwhelmed with stress, anxiety and depression. It can keep us grounded and more focused on the present moment and can help us connect with how we are feeling and what we need to take care of ourselves and our emotions. What is Mindfulness.

    At the college, we offer an eight-week mindfulness course, designed to help you increase your awareness of self and others, improve focus and concentration, regulate difficult emotions, and build resilience and compassion. 

    Our classes will run throughout the year and will be bookable on EasyBook – look out for information on when booking is open.

    Yoga

    Yoga is a type of exercise that helps us regulate our breathing and focus on the present moment whilst moving and paying attention to our body. It has proven to be a great tool to help reduce anxiety and improve your mood. It can be challenging, but our classes are aimed at all levels of experience, so no matter if you are a beginner or a yogi master, you can still come along and try it out! All you need is a yoga mat, the right clothing, and an open mind.

    Here is a short preview of what you can expect in the classes. 

    Our yoga classes will run throughout the year. 

    • Self-help workbooks and leaflets from NHS Northumberland. Covers a variety of different issues including depression, anxiety, bereavement and trauma.

    • Looking After Yourself from the Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) is an online platform with workbooks and specific information about different types of mental health problems.

    • Living Life to the Full teaches a range of Cognitive Behavioural strategies to improve wellbeing and resilience.

    • Moodjuice Scotland’s online self-directed support.

    • Get Self Help hosts a selection of workbooks and videos based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

    • Glasgow Wellbeing - Excellent web-based free site for self-help with a number of emotional symptoms with many helpful downloads including information booklets, videos and relaxation tapes.Tel:0141 232 2555 (Courses also available if you live in South Glasgow).

    • Headspace - Meditation app that offers hundreds of themed sessions including stress, anxiety and sleep. They offer a free trial period which you can then terminate or subscribe from ÂŁ5.99/month.

    • CALM - Meditation app specifically for sleep and stress reduction. You can use this for free for a limited amount of meditation programmes etc but can subscribe to view the full library.

    • Smiling Mind - Free meditation app to help you practice mindfulness and meditation.

    • Brothers in Arms - Male-specific support in Scotland, of any age, who are down or in crisis and empower them to ask for help when they need it. You can download their free wellbeing digital app to support students experiencing stress and anxiety on their website. You can read more about our partnership with Brothers in Arms.

    • Student Health App is a free app that offers reliable and relevant physical and mental health advice for students.

    • Wellness at Sea from The Sailors' Society has been created to help those that work away at sea.

    • Ask, Tell - Save A Life: Every Life Matters - Suicide prevention and keeping people safe. 

    • Ask, Tell - Have a Healthy Conversation - Supporting compassionate conversations with people who may be experiencing mental ill-health or distress or at risk of suicide (using the ALERT model).

    • Brothers in Arms: Real Men video was created and produced by Brothers in Arms who are a leading charity in starting conversation and raising awareness around male specific issues and suicide. You can check out more videos on their YouTube channel.

    • 15 minute TedTalk by Psychologist Kelly McGonigal on How to Make Stress your Friend.  Aimed at rethinking and changing how you perceive the impact of stress to benefit you more.

    • How to deal with Student Burnout â€“ College Info Geek by Thomas Frank. Students with demanding schedules often end up burning out after long periods of constant stress. This video explores the causes of student burnout and how you can avoid it.

    • The Perceptions of Perfection by Joey Harrington hosted by Ted Talks explores the idea that perfections is a matter of perception and how we can choose to live our most authentic lives.

    • Let’s Talk Videos: Check out our YouTube channel for more videos on various practical and wellbeing topics discussed by the Student Support and Wellbeing Team. If there are any specific videos you’d like us to do please get in touch. We would love to hear from you!