Mental health support
If you’re experiencing problems with your mental health, we can help.
Our experienced Safeguarding and Welfare Advisors are friendly and approachable, and can help you make sense of any difficulties you may be having. These could include, but aren’t limited to:
- Feeling low, sad or depressed
- Feeling stressed, worried or anxious
- Having problems at home, with friends or in relationships
- Bullying or harassment
You don’t need to go through anything alone. If you’re struggling, you can access support by talking to any member of College staff, whether it’s a lecturer, a Personal Tutor or Study Coach, a mentor or Learning Assistant from our Additional Learner Support (ALS) team, or Student Services. They can offer a listening ear and point you in the direction of other services we offer if needed, to make sure you get the right support for you.
If you don’t feel comfortable approaching someone in person, you can also call 0117 312 5000, email welfare@cityofbristol.ac.uk.
We also offer a range of academic and personal support resources and support.
Other support
TalkCampus
TalkCampus is a peer support mental health and wellbeing platform. It’s created specifically for students in recognition of the unique challenges you face, and offers a welcoming and confidential environment where you can share what’s on your mind. All City of Bristol College students can access TalkCampus with their student email.
Sign up to TalkCampus for free
Counselling
If a Safeguarding and Welfare Adviser thinks you’re having a particularly difficult time, they can refer you to our free, confidential counselling service.
Counselling can help you overcome your problems, and find new ways to manage your situation more effectively so that you can return to studying successfully again.
If you are referred, you’ll be offered four counselling sessions at your most convenient centre, at the same time every week.
Our counsellor is highly experienced and works within the British Association for Counselling (BAC) code of ethics.
We can also refer you to an external agency if necessary.
Remember you can always contact your GP too, to discuss any problems affecting your health.
To find out more about our counselling service, call 0117 312 5733, email welfare@cityofbristol.ac.uk.
External support services for City of Bristol College students
Bristol Mindline
- Call 0808 808 0330
- Available Wednesday to Sunday from 8pm to midnight
Kooth
- Online counselling service (available for under 18s only)
- Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm
- Saturday – Sunday 6pm – 10pm
Mental Health Foundation
Off The Record (OTR)
- A mental health social movement for young people
Samaritans
- Call 116 123 or visit the website
- Helpline or email service – not just for crisis
- Available 24/7
Shout
- Text Shout to 85258
- 24/7 free text service
What’s Up With Everyone
- Campaign focusing on young people’s mental health
- Perfectionism, loneliness, independence, social media and competitiveness
University support
If your qualification is awarded by one of our partner universities, you may qualify for some of their support services.
University of Plymouth
Study support
Students studying a programme validated by University of Plymouth can access the study guides and resources available through this link: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/business-partners/partnerships/academic-partnerships/study-guide
SHINE
The SHINE project is a self-help online system created by students, counsellors and researchers to support with Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Togetherall
Is an online tool which is monitored 24/7 by trained guidance providers, which gives students the opportunity to anonymously talk about how they are feeling.
The Listening Post (10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday during term time)
This is a drop-in services for all University of Plymouth students but is located at the Universities Student Services Hub on campus.
Bath Spa University
Find out more on the Bath Spa University website about their student wellbeing services.
UWE- Higher Education Short Loans
Funding for specific short courses is available from the Student Loans Company (Student Finance England).
To be eligible for this funding you must first check you meet the loan eligibility criteria below and that the course you would like to do is eligible for the funding. You must be accepted onto the course before you can apply for the loan.
You can take out up to 4 loans under the Higher Education Short Course scheme, and each loan application covers the fee for one course.
To be eligible for the loan;
- You will be a UK national or Irish Citizen or have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme or indefinite leave to enter or remain so there are no restrictions on how long you can stay
- You will normally live in England
- You will have been living in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 3 continuous years before the first day of your course, apart from temporary absences such as going on holiday
Loans are available for up to £2310 for 30 credit courses and £3080 for 40 credit courses.
You will only have start your loan repayments when your income is over £524 a week, £2,274 a month or £27,295 a year (before tax and other deductions).
Courses currently eligible for the HESC loan; Zero Carbon Buildings (Environments & Materials)
UWE- Higher Education Short Loans
Funding for specific short courses is available from the Student Loans Company (Student Finance England).
To be eligible for this funding you must first check you meet the loan eligibility criteria below and that the course you would like to do is eligible for the funding. You must be accepted onto the course before you can apply for the loan.
You can take out up to 4 loans under the Higher Education Short Course scheme, and each loan application covers the fee for one course.
To be eligible for the loan;
- You will be a UK national or Irish Citizen or have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme or indefinite leave to enter or remain so there are no restrictions on how long you can stay
- You will normally live in England
- You will have been living in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 3 continuous years before the first day of your course, apart from temporary absences such as going on holiday
Loans are available for up to £2310 for 30 credit courses and £3080 for 40 credit courses.
You will only have start your loan repayments when your income is over £524 a week, £2,274 a month or £27,295 a year (before tax and other deductions).
Courses currently eligible for the HESC loan; Zero Carbon Buildings (Environments & Materials)
