Student wellbeing resources

Below you can find links to various websites, apps and other resources which help support student wellbeing.

Those which we think are of particular help during the current Coronavirus situation are at the top.

Those marked with * are based in Sheffield/the local area.

anxiety

See also 'Mental Health Support' section further down.

Find out more about BBC Bitesize. - BBC Bitesize

Ways to Cope with Lockdown Loss

Advice on making sense of how you might be feeling now, after a couple of months of lockdown.

RESOURCE PACK:
Supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of young people *

This is an excellent comprehensive pack, with lots of insight, resources and activities. Particularly suitable for teenagers. Developed by the Multi Agency Support Team in Sheffield.

Covid-19 Self Care Kit for Children *

Particularly good for younger children. Developed by Sheffield Children's NHS Trust. Includes advice as well as useful and fun activities for children.

Childline

Specific advice, support and information about the current situation.

Children can also have their own private ‘locker’ to log their feelings and play games and read helpful advice and information about how they feel, and how others have dealt with situations and feelings. There is also one to one access to a counsellor if they need it.

Freephone: 0800 1111

Moodjuice

This site is a document that is used as a self-help guide to look at specifically Shyness and Social Anxiety. This maybe a good one to print off and work through the exercises.

NSPCC advice about Coronavirus

Lots of advice for families about coping with the lockdown, talking about what's going on, and keeping safe.

The 'Apple' technique

For managing anxiety and worries.

Young Minds

What to do if you're anxious about Coronavirus.

BBC Newsround

Advice if you are worried about Coronavirus

CAHMS top tips for managing your mental health

Advice from the NHS service for young people.

Talking to kids about Coronavirus

Great article form the Child Mind Institute in the US about how to talk to children and young people about Coronavirus.

The Samaritans

If you're worried about your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Mix

Advice and support for anyone under 25 about Coronavirus and other issues.

bereavement

	Childhood Bereavement Network Resources for schools, the young person and for parents/carers.
	Child Bereavement UK A website for child bereavement that has resources for schools, young people and parents/carers
	Hope Again A website for young people to use. Set up by Cruse, the national charity for bereavement care.
	Winston's Wish A charity for bereaved children. A specialist provider of support for children bereaved through homicide and suicide. Freephone: 08088 020 021

domestic abuse

	IDAS - Sheffield Domestic Abuse Helpline * IDAS is the largest specialist charity in Yorkshire supporting anyone experiencing or affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence. Their services include refuge accommodation, community based support, peer mentoring, group work and access to a free, confidential out of hours’ helpline. Their teams of accredited specialist workers (support people through the criminal justice system in addition to providing emotional support and safety planning advice. Tel: 0808 808 2241 Monday – Friday : 8am – 7pm (not bank holidays), Saturday 9am – 5pm Outside of these hours call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) You can talk to us about the abuse and work through which services might work best for you with an experienced helpline worker. If you phone the helpline and they can’t speak your language they can arrange an interpreter. You can also email they in your language, they will translate it and get back to you. Email: info@idas.org.uk Website: IDAS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IDASfor100 Twitter: https://twitter.com/idasfor100
	Sheffield Domestic Abuse Co-ordinating Team– DACT * This Sheffield team can point you towards all the different support services you may need if you are suffering domestic abuse.
	The Hideout A website created specifically for children and young people who experience domestic abuse.
	Women's Aid Information about how domestic abuse affects children.
	Advice and support for the friends and family of victims and perpetrators of abuse within LGBT+ relationships.
	Victim Support Confidential and free support and advice about domestic abuse.

drugs and substance abuse

Change Grow Live

Advice if you are worried about a friend or family member in relation to drugs.

The Corner *

Sheffield's free and confidential drug and alcohol service for young people aged 10-18. They offer advice and support to young people in the Sheffield area who are experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol.

Talk to Frank

National website with honest information about drugs.

Tel: 0300 123 6600

eating disorders

	South Yorkshire Eating Disorder Association (SYEDA) * A local support group with website and useful contacts to support those with eating disorders.
	Beat A national eating disorder charity with a helpline and youthline.

South Yorkshire Eating Disorder Association (SYEDA) *

A local support group with website and useful contacts to support those with eating disorders.

Beat

A national eating disorder charity with a helpline and youthline.

exam stress

gambling

Big Deal

Information about getting help with gambling and how to talk to a young person about gambling.

Tel: 0808 8020 133

LGBT+

SAYiT *

Emotional wellbeing support for LGBT+ young people in Sheffield. Includes information about groups for young people and also for parents/carers.

Tel: 0114 241 2728

Email: info@sayit.org.uk

Mermaids

A helpline and useful information for trans young people and their families.

Tel: 0808 801 0400
(Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm).

Stonewall Youth

A national organisation to support all young, lesbian, gay, bi and trans people - as well as those who are questioning.

mental health support

	Smiling Mind This is a downloadable app from the app store, its completely free and doesn't have any adverts on it . It has been developed by psychologist and educators and has programmes to help kids aged 3-18. It has programmes to help with sleep, in the classroom, sports, work, home and it even has programmes for adults too.
	The 'Apple' technique For managing anxiety and worries.
	CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) A website and a helpline for men aged 15-35 who are feeling depressed or down.
	Childline Young person friendly website with information, support and self-help advice for a range of mental health/emotional health and wellbeing issues. Children can access the website themselves. It’s a young person friendly site and there are lots of different activities to access. They can have her own private ‘locker’ to log their feelings and play games and read helpful advice and information about how they feel, and how others have dealt with situations and feelings. There is also one to one access to a counsellor if they need it. Freephone: 0800 1111
	CHILYPEP * The Children and Young People's Empowerment Project works with all young people in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, in particular, the most vulnerable and excluded groups to protect and promote their wellbeing and rights.
	Clear Fear app A free app to help overcome anxiety.
	Depression: self-help Information on depression and a self-help fact sheet.
	Door 43 * Run by Youth Information, Advice and Counselling Service (YIACS) within Sheffield Futures, offering support to 13-25 year olds on a range of issues in a young person centred environment. Includes drop-in sessions.
	Epicfriends * Sheffield based, young person friendly website giving information, support and self-help advice for a range of mental health/emotional health and wellbeing issues. Provides information for young people who want to support their friends. Also information for adults.
	Golddigger Trust * An award-winning charity, at the forefront of self-esteem work in Sheffield and across the UK, working to equip young people with the confidence and skills to make positive choices for themselves. Includes drop-in sessions.
	Have I Got A Problem A free online resource to help you understand issues or concerns you may have about mental health or addiction issues.
	Kooth Free online counselling support for 11-18 year olds
	Royal College of Psychiatrists Information about why obsessions become compulsions.
	Papyrus Charity for the prevention of young suicide, with helpline Tel: 0800 068 4141
	Rethink A fact sheet giving information, support and self-help advice for a range of mental health/emotional health and wellbeing issues.
	Royal College of Psychiatrists Information about the different types of anxiety and worries young people may have and how it can be treated.
	Royal College of Psychiatrists Information about how to recognise depression in young people and how you can help yourself/what others can do to help
	Samaritans Support for anyone, 24 hours a day, 365 days a week. Online resources and freephone support. Freephone: 116 123
	Sane A website giving information, support and self-help advice for a range of mental health/emotional health and wellbeing issue
	Sheffield Directory * Activities, organisations, information and services - for adults, young people and families, and those with SEND.
	Sheffield Mental Health Guide * A wide range of information provided, with contacts for local services (see 'search for support').
	SToRMS * Sheffield based charity that aims to raise awareness of and reduce young male suicide.
	Young Minds A website giving information, support and self-help advice for a range of mental health/emotional health and wellbeing issues. Great resources for parents and carers on how to support and start conversations with children about mental health and wellbeing. Are you a young person in crisis? You can text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger. This is free 24/7 support if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. Text YM to 85258. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.

Smiling Mind

This is a downloadable app from the app store, its completely free and doesn't have any adverts on it . It has been developed by psychologist and educators and has programmes to help kids aged 3-18. It has programmes to help with sleep, in the classroom, sports, work, home and it even has programmes for adults too.

The 'Apple' technique

For managing anxiety and worries.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

A website and a helpline for men aged 15-35 who are feeling depressed or down.

Childline

Young person friendly website with information, support and self-help advice for a range of mental health/emotional health and wellbeing issues.

Children can access the website themselves. It’s a young person friendly site and there are lots of different activities to access. They can have her own private ‘locker’ to log their feelings and play games and read helpful advice and information about how they feel, and how others have dealt with situations and feelings. There is also one to one access to a counsellor if they need it.

Freephone: 0800 1111

Image result for chilypep

CHILYPEP *

The Children and Young People's Empowerment Project works with all young people in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, in particular, the most vulnerable and excluded groups to protect and promote their wellbeing and rights.

Clear Fear app

A free app to help overcome anxiety.

Depression: self-help

Information on depression and a self-help fact sheet.

Door 43 *

Run by Youth Information, Advice and Counselling Service (YIACS) within Sheffield Futures, offering support to 13-25 year olds on a range of issues in a young person centred environment. Includes drop-in sessions.

Epicfriends *

Sheffield based, young person friendly website giving information, support and self-help advice for a range of mental health/emotional health and wellbeing issues. Provides information for young people who want to support their friends. Also information for adults.

Image result for golddigger trust

Golddigger Trust *

An award-winning charity, at the forefront of self-esteem work in Sheffield and across the UK, working to equip young people with the confidence and skills to make positive choices for themselves. Includes drop-in sessions.

Have I Got A Problem

A free online resource to help you understand issues or concerns you may have about mental health or addiction issues.

Kooth

Free online counselling support for 11-18 year olds

Royal College of Psychiatrists

Information about why obsessions become compulsions.

Papyrus

Charity for the prevention of young suicide, with helpline

Tel: 0800 068 4141

Rethink

A fact sheet giving information, support and self-help advice for a range of mental health/emotional health and wellbeing issues.

Royal College of Psychiatrists

Information about the different types of anxiety and worries young people may have and how it can be treated.

Royal College of Psychiatrists

Information about how to recognise depression in young people and how you can help yourself/what others can do to help

Samaritans

Support for anyone, 24 hours a day, 365 days a week. Online resources and freephone support.

Freephone: 116 123

Sane

A website giving information, support and self-help advice for a range of mental health/emotional health and wellbeing issue

Sheffield Directory *

Activities, organisations, information and services - for adults, young people and families, and those with SEND.

Sheffield Mental Health Guide *

A wide range of information provided, with contacts for local services (see 'search for support').

SToRMS *

Sheffield based charity that aims to raise awareness of and reduce young male suicide.

Young Minds

A website giving information, support and self-help advice for a range of mental health/emotional health and wellbeing issues.

Great resources for parents and carers on how to support and start conversations with children about mental health and wellbeing.

Are you a young person in crisis?

You can text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger. This is free 24/7 support if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. Text YM to 85258.

All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.

Mindfulness activities

What is ‘mindfulness’?

Mindfulness is the ability to know what’s happening in your head at any given moment without getting carried away by it. Mindfulness activities help us to:

pay attention to the feelings we have
process those feelings
respond to the feelings in a controlled way.

Why do it?

Mindfulness has many benefits including reducing stress, helping us to pay attention, feel happier, learn more and be more patient. By don’t just take or word for it, listen to what other young adults have to say about mindfulness:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=128&v=kk7IBwuhXWM&feature=emb_logo

Inspired?

Try some of the activities from the Mindfulness Menu below:

3-Minute Music	Mindfully listening to a music track is a quick and effective stress reliever and a great way to practice being completely in the moment. Choose a song to listen to – instead of just paying attention to the words, ask yourself: What instruments do you hear? Is the song loud or soft, fast or slow? What emotions does the song create in you? Where in your body do you feel them? Can you feel the beat of the music in your body?
Build something!	According to a recent article from the UK, Lego has become a hugely popular mindfulness activity amongst young adults. Building with blocks or models allows your brain to ‘switch off’ and is very therapeutic, so get building! https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/04/millennials-finding-mindfulness-lego/
Tech Detox	Too much time on devices can contribute to our stress; emails, news, notifications and social media can aggravate our worries and can distract us from our self-care. Taking a 30 minute break from ALL devices, including iPod/phones/TV will give you time to reconnect with yourself.
Notice the Good	Try and notice 3 things that are good, or even OK right now – it could be a kind action from someone, the sun shining, hearing from a friend. You could write them down in a journal, put them in a ‘good things’ jar, talk with others about them or just think about them privately.
The Power of a Poem	Reading poetry can be a helpful way to explore our emotions and experiences. Two poems which encourage mindfulness are: “The Guest House” by Rumi: Read the poem and think about what it would be like to welcome each emotion. Have you ever had emotions that felt like unwelcome visitors? Have you ever had difficult experiences that you ultimately learned something from? What things do you do to avoid feeling your emotions? What happens when you avoid them? Can you try to welcome even your unpleasant emotions? “Autobiography in Five Chapters” by Portia Nelson: What holes do you often fall into? Why is it so easy to make the same mistakes over and over? What new streets do you think you could walk down? What changes could you make that will help you better take care of yourself?
Spidey-Senses	A quick and easy mindfulness exercise you can do anywhere, any time. Take a few minutes to stop and engage your “Spidey Senses,” the skill Spiderman uses to keep tabs on world around him. Focus on each of your senses in turn: what you can see, smell, hear, taste and touch? Tuning into what we observe is a great skill, also for non super-humans!
App it!	Sometimes tech can help us with our mindfulness! Try this FREE app to help you to learn mindfulness and meditation practices: Stop, Breathe, and Think. This app opens with a short "interview" where you will select several words to describe how you are feeling, and then the app recommends guided meditations for your current state.
Colour, Craft, Create, Cook...	Any creative activity is a mindful activity! Steal your little siblings’ crayons, get out your sketch book, bake, knit or even head outside and make some ‘mandala’ art with natural materials. Take time to do the crafty things you never get to do now you’re all grown up...
The Worry Washing Machine	Can’t stop yourself from worrying? Do your worries go round and round in your head like an overactive spin cycle? Follow the steps in this funny but helpful guide to getting yourself out of that worry washing machine.. https://chedyer.com/how-to-stop-worrying-and-negative-thoughts-in-4-simple-steps/
Yoda	It’s yoga, not yoda! Even so, yoga can give the same ‘Zen vibe’ as our calm-as-a-cucumber Star Wars pal. There are many forms of yoga and not all of involve bending yourself into strange poses. It is, however, great for relieving your body of tension, stretching out your muscles and resting your mind. Got a spare 20 minutes? Give it a go: https://yogawithadriene.com/yoga-for-teens/
	Mindfulness of the Breath Awareness of the breath is one of the foundational exercises for learning mindfulness meditation. It’s a popular starting point because the breath is something you can always access. It serves as a valuable anchor for other mindfulness practices.
	Body Scan The body scan is a simple, structured way of bringing consciousness to different parts of body. The body scan can be very useful as a grounding mechanism when facing strong emotions, or if you’re having trouble stabilising awareness on the breath or body.
	Mindfulness of Walking Walking mindfully cultivates awareness of your body while it is in motion. Mindful walking can help to increase your energy level if you are tired or restless, and it can also add variety if you are doing longer periods of seated practice. It’s also useful because directing attention to walking, and even standing, is something you can do throughout the day.
	Headspace An app to support with meditation.
	Mindshift An app to help manage anxiety.

3-Minute Music

Mindfully listening to a music track is a quick and effective stress reliever and a great way to practice being completely in the moment.

Choose a song to listen to – instead of just paying attention to the words, ask yourself:

What instruments do you hear? Is the song loud or soft, fast or slow?

What emotions does the song create in you?

Where in your body do you feel them? Can you feel the beat of the music in your body?

Build something!

According to a recent article from the UK, Lego has become a hugely popular mindfulness activity amongst young adults. Building with blocks or models allows your brain to ‘switch off’ and is very therapeutic, so get building!

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/04/millennials-finding-mindfulness-lego/

Tech Detox

Too much time on devices can contribute to our stress; emails, news, notifications and social media can aggravate our worries and can distract us from our self-care. Taking a 30 minute break from ALL devices, including iPod/phones/TV will give you time to reconnect with yourself.

Notice the Good

Try and notice 3 things that are good, or even OK right now – it could be a kind action from someone, the sun shining, hearing from a friend.

You could write them down in a journal, put them in a ‘good things’ jar, talk with others about them or just think about them privately.

The Power of a Poem

Reading poetry can be a helpful way to explore our emotions and experiences. Two poems which encourage mindfulness are:

“The Guest House” by Rumi: Read the poem and think about what it would be like to welcome each emotion. Have you ever had emotions that felt like unwelcome visitors? Have you ever had difficult experiences that you ultimately learned something from? What things do you do to avoid feeling your emotions? What happens when you avoid them? Can you try to welcome even your unpleasant emotions?
“Autobiography in Five Chapters” by Portia Nelson: What holes do you often fall into? Why is it so easy to make the same mistakes over and over? What new streets do you think you could walk down? What changes could you make that will help you better take care of yourself?

Spidey-Senses

A quick and easy mindfulness exercise you can do anywhere, any time. Take a few minutes to stop and engage your “Spidey Senses,” the skill Spiderman uses to keep tabs on world around him.

Focus on each of your senses in turn: what you can see, smell, hear, taste and touch? Tuning into what we observe is a great skill, also for non super-humans!

App it!

Sometimes tech can help us with our mindfulness! Try this FREE app to help you to learn mindfulness and meditation practices:

Stop, Breathe, and Think.

This app opens with a short "interview" where you will select several words to describe how you are feeling, and then the app recommends guided meditations for your current state.

Colour, Craft, Create, Cook...

Any creative activity is a mindful activity! Steal your little siblings’ crayons, get out your sketch book, bake, knit or even head outside and make some ‘mandala’ art with natural materials.

Take time to do the crafty things you never get to do now you’re all grown up...

The Worry Washing Machine

Can’t stop yourself from worrying? Do your worries go round and round in your head like an overactive spin cycle?

Follow the steps in this funny but helpful guide to getting yourself out of that worry washing machine..

https://chedyer.com/how-to-stop-worrying-and-negative-thoughts-in-4-simple-steps/

Yoda

It’s yoga, not yoda! Even so, yoga can give the same ‘Zen vibe’ as our calm-as-a-cucumber Star Wars pal. There are many forms of yoga and not all of involve bending yourself into strange poses. It is, however, great for relieving your body of tension, stretching out your muscles and resting your mind. Got a spare 20 minutes? Give it a go:

https://yogawithadriene.com/yoga-for-teens/

Mindfulness of the Breath

Awareness of the breath is one of the foundational exercises for learning mindfulness meditation. It’s a popular starting point because the breath is something you can always access. It serves as a valuable anchor for other mindfulness practices.

Body Scan

The body scan is a simple, structured way of bringing consciousness to different parts of body. The body scan can be very useful as a grounding mechanism when facing strong emotions, or if you’re having trouble stabilising awareness on the breath or body.

Mindfulness of Walking

Walking mindfully cultivates awareness of your body while it is in motion. Mindful walking can help to increase your energy level if you are tired or restless, and it can also add variety if you are doing longer periods of seated practice. It’s also useful because directing attention to walking, and even standing, is something you can do throughout the day.

Headspace

An app to support with meditation.

Mindshift

An app to help manage anxiety.

online safety

	BBC Own It app The Own It app gives you advice when you need, in real-time as you type! Helping you to make smart choices, feel more confident, and live your best life online. Using a combination of self-reporting and ‘machine learning’, the app builds up a picture of your child’s digital wellbeing and serves relevant content, information and interventions designed to help your child understand the impact that their online behaviours can have on themselves, and on others. In addition, the app presents a range of content and features designed to help your child get the most of their time online, and help them to develop healthy online habits and behaviours, and encourages your child to have conversations with you when they are feeling sad or worried.
	#OnlineSafetyatHome is a campaign from ThinkUKnow to inform families of the dangers of online gaming and how to do it safely. There are short videos and activity packs for 11-13 year olds and 14+ year olds.
	CEOP – Child exploitation and online protection command Report your concerns about how someone has been communicating with you online.
	Children's Commissioner Advice of 'Digital 5 a day' - easy to follow, practical steps for children and parents to achieve a healthy and balanced digital diet.
	Net Aware Your guide to social networks, apps and games - put together by O2 and NSPCC.
	NSPCC Online Safety A website with lots of information about different types of online activity. Helpline: 0808 800 5002
	UK Safer Internet Centre Lots of resources for 11-19 year olds about staying safe online.
	UK Safer Internet Centre Lots of resources for parents and carers about staying safe online.
	Thinkuknow Different websites for each age group and parents/carers about staying safe online.
	Internet Matters A guide to making the most of the internet - safely. Run by a not for profit organisation in partnership with the media industry.

BBC Own It app

The Own It app gives you advice when you need, in real-time as you type! Helping you to make smart choices, feel more confident, and live your best life online.

Using a combination of self-reporting and ‘machine learning’, the app builds up a picture of your child’s digital wellbeing and serves relevant content, information and interventions designed to help your child understand the impact that their online behaviours can have on themselves, and on others.
In addition, the app presents a range of content and features designed to help your child get the most of their time online, and help them to develop healthy online habits and behaviours, and encourages your child to have conversations with you when they are feeling sad or worried.

#OnlineSafetyatHome is a campaign from ThinkUKnow to inform families of the dangers of online gaming and how to do it safely. There are short videos and activity packs for 11-13 year olds and 14+ year olds.

CEOP – Child exploitation and online protection command

Report your concerns about how someone has been communicating with you online.

Children's Commissioner

Advice of 'Digital 5 a day' - easy to follow, practical steps for children and parents to achieve a healthy and balanced digital diet.

Net Aware

Your guide to social networks, apps and games - put together by O2 and NSPCC.

NSPCC Online Safety

A website with lots of information about different types of online activity.

Helpline: 0808 800 5002

UK Safer Internet Centre

Lots of resources for 11-19 year olds about staying safe online.

UK Safer Internet Centre

Lots of resources for parents and carers about staying safe online.

Thinkuknow

Different websites for each age group and parents/carers about staying safe online.

Internet Matters

A guide to making the most of the internet - safely. Run by a not for profit organisation in partnership with the media industry.

self harm

	Calm Harm An app to support those who self-harm.
	Heads Above the Waves Information about depression and self-harm in young people.
	Royal College of Psychiatrists Information for parents and carers about why young people self-harm and what can be done to help.
	Young Minds Specific information about self-harm for both young people and parents and carers.