University Mental Health Day – Use Your Voice!

Posted on 6 March 2019 by Your Student Life Supported

Marios, Student Wellbeing Champion tells us all about University Mental Health Day and the theme this year – Use Your Voice. Thursday 7 of March 2019 is ‘University Mental Health Day’ and Cardiff University could not be any less of a great supporter of this year’s message “Use Your Voice”. What is the University Mental
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Top tips to help you manage exam stress

Posted on 7 January 2019 by Your Student Life, Supported

Amy from our Wellbeing Team shares some useful tips to help you cope with exam stress.   It is normal to feel a little bit of stress (some level of stress can help you focus), but too much of it can lead you to feel out of control and can make it harder for you to
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Top tips to help you revise effectively

Posted on 7 January 2019 by Your Student Life, Supported

Rachel from the Student Wellbeing Team shares tips on how to manage your revision time effectively.     It can be really hard to find self-motivation as the exam period gets closer. It requires a great deal of discipline and organisation to revise, especially when the joint demands of different courses or modules become overwhelming. Good
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Tips on coping with anxiety before and during exams

Posted on 7 January 2019 by Your Student Life, Supported

Rachel, Wellbeing Practitioner from the Counselling, Health & Wellbeing Service, shares tips on coping with anxiety before and during exams. It is natural to feel anxious prior to an exam. In fact, a little anxiety can actually help performance. Anxiety and stress cause the body to release adrenalin which can be helpful when responding to challenging
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No contact with your family? We are here to support you at Uni

Posted on 4 December 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Einir England, the dedicated contact for care leavers and estranged students at Cardiff University, explains what it means to be estranged and the support available… Most Universities in the UK recognise that students who have been through the care system face barriers in access to higher education and have developed a support package to try
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Why Christmas time can escalate relationship abuse and how to get support if you are affected

Posted on 29 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

If you’ve experienced violence and abuse of any kind, please know that you are not alone and our Disclosure Response Team are here to offer practical support and advice. Money tensions, unrealistic expectations and increased alcohol consumption make the Christmas period a peak time for relationship abuse/domestic violence. If your partner or family member is controlling,
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Winter study tips

Posted on 29 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Rachel from the Student Wellbeing Team shares tips on how to stay on track with your studies whilst also enjoying the winter break. There are always a million and one things to be done over the festive period – whether it’s making sure you’ve bought gifts for everyone, arranging to meet up with friends or catching
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Stay drink aware this festive season

Posted on 29 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Victoria, Student Intern, discusses festive drinking and warns not to get too jolly… For some, ‘tis the season for festive drinks. However, don’t feel like you need to chug mulled wine just to get in the festive spirit. Alcohol can affect your university experience and your mental and physical health. The festive season often comes
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Conquering Culture Shock

Posted on 15 November 2018 by Maddie Duffield

Kristina Bowers, International Student Advisor, explains culture shock and how you can overcome it. As the nights get longer and the days become grey and damp, you may find yourself wishing for the warm sun and familiar faces, missing the comforts of home a little more than you expected… It’s likely that it’s not just
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Dealing with Stress

Posted on 6 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

One of our Wellbeing Champions, Tamzin, shares some strategies for dealing with stress this International Stress Awareness Week. Stress is part of modern life. Four out of ten people in the UK say that it is a big problem for them. It is actually one of the most common reasons for people seeing their GP.
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How to help create a safe campus culture – become an Empowered Bystander…

Posted on 23 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

As a student of Cardiff University, we hope that you’ll play your part in creating a safe campus culture. Acting as an Empowered Bystander is easy and can have a huge impact.  What is the Bystander Effect? The Bystander Effect is a psychological phenomenon where you are less likely to receive or give aid when
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Support for male victims of sexual assault

Posted on 19 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Anyone can be affected by sexual violence. Sexual violence can happen to anyone, no matter your age, your sexual orientation, or your gender identity. Men and boys who have experienced sexual violence, experience the same feelings and reactions as other survivors of sexual assault, but they may also face some additional challenges because of social
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National Hate Crime Awareness Week

Posted on 16 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Student Wellbeing Champion, Tamzin, talks about National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2018, and how to get involved. National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2018 is happening from 13 – 20 October 2018. A Hate Crime is a crime which you feel was targeted at you, due to your race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. This
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Speaking out about Depression, Anxiety and Loneliness

Posted on 11 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Modern Languages Student, Emily, talks about her experience with depression, anxiety and loneliness and encourages others to speak out about how they are feeling. Starting university in a new city and a new country entirely was challenging and it was at this time that my mental health began to be affected. Although things improved, they
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National Coming Out Day

Posted on 8 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Student Wellbeing Champion, Tamzin, discusses National Coming Out Day and how to get involved. October 11 is National Coming Out Day and Cardiff University is celebrating in partnership with Rainbow Bridge, the specialised LGBT+ domestic abuse support organisation. ‘Coming out’ means telling someone something about yourself that isn’t immediately obvious. In relation to sexual orientation
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‘Mind your Head’ Week and World Mental Health Day

Posted on 5 October 2018 by Your Student Life Supported

Tamzin, Student Wellbeing Champion, talks about ‘Mind Your Head’ Week and World Mental Health Day and how you can get involved with events around campus. Mind Your Head Week is an annual event running Monday 8 October – Saturday 13 October this year. It’s a week of events held around Cardiff University to raise awareness
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Working together to create a Suicide Safer Community…

Posted on 10 September 2018 by Your Student Life Supported

Jo, from the Student Wellbeing Team, talks about World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2018 and how you can be part of creating a Suicide-Safer University…   Every year, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for people of all ages. It is responsible for over 800,000 deaths, which equates to
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My experience of Anxiety and Depression

Posted on 27 June 2018 by Your Student Life Supported

Wellbeing Champion and Biomedical Science Student, Abbie, shares her experience of anxiety and depression, and encourages others to talk about how they’re feeling. When anxiety and depression began to have a huge effect on my life, I found it difficult to talk about how I was feeling. I struggled to even put what I was
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Celebrating Armed Forces Day and Support for Student Veterans

Posted on 25 June 2018 by Your Student Life Supported

Kirsty, Wellbeing Practitioner in the Counselling, Health & Wellbeing Service, talks about Armed Forces Day and the dedicated support available for student veterans… Armed Forces Day is an annual event which provides an opportunity to show our support for the people in the Armed Forces who are currently, or have previously served, as well as their
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Speaking out about Bipolar Disorder

Posted on 21 June 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

PhD Student and Postgraduate Peer Supporter, Sum, discusses Bipolar Disorder and shares his own personal experience of this mental health condition… My experience with mental health problems began when I was sixteen years old. After significant struggles and inaccurate diagnoses of depression whilst completing my undergraduate degree, I was correctly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Since
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Support for disabled or dyslexic students graduating this summer

Posted on 18 June 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Delyth, from the Disability and Dyslexia Service, discusses the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) available for postgraduate study, the access to work grants available and guidance on telling an employer about your disability. If your exams are over and you can almost feel the cap on your head, well done! I’m sure that all of your
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Mental Health Awareness Week

Posted on 19 May 2018 by Your Student Life Supported

Scot, Wellbeing Practitioner, talks about Mental Health Awareness Week…   It’s mental health awareness week and it couldn’t come at a better time! Exams and deadlines are happening for many of us, or are looming in the near future, so let’s not forget to take care of ourselves. The theme this year is stress and
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Speaking out about depression and anxiety

Posted on 11 May 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Polly, Geography Student and Wellbeing Champion, talks about her struggles with depression and anxiety…. In 2015, I came to University, and symptoms of depression and anxiety made their appearance. Being in an unfamiliar place, away from my usual support network, made this even more challenging and I struggled to speak about how I was feeling.
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Speaking out about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Posted on 2 May 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Psychology student and Wellbeing Champion, Nichola, discusses her experience of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how one honest conversation can make a world of difference. After suffering silently with PTSD at University, one honest conversation spurred a positive path towards acceptance and coping strategies. From once struggling to even express my feelings to friends,
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Stand with LGBT+

Posted on 16 April 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Jo, Wellbeing Practitioner, talks about the Students’ Union’s new LGBT+ Mental Health Campaign: Stand with LGBT+, and how you can show support and get involved! For the LGBT+ Community, the risk of struggling with poor mental health is higher.   What does LGBT+ mean? ‘LGBT+’ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and other identities. The phrase
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Join us in supporting Trans Day of Visibility

Posted on 27 March 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Tamzin, Student Wellbeing Champion, tells us more about Trans Day of Visibility and how you can show your support for the transgender community. Saturday 31 March is Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV), part of the LGBT+ awareness days. TDOV is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and show your encouragement and support for trans rights and
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Speaking out about Social Anxiety

Posted on 20 March 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Final year geography student, Callie, discusses her experience of social anxiety and the impact that being more open about mental health can have. In 2016, I finally admitted I had Social Anxiety and found help at University. This year I helped to launch a University Campaign and found out I have an interview for my
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Make time for conversation

Posted on 20 March 2018 by Your Student Life Supported

The 19 – 25 March is National Conversation Week and, in an era where much conversation has been replaced with staring at phones, it has never been more needed! Social Media Cleanse? Social Media can be great – catching up with friends or just seeing what’s going on in the world – but it’s so
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What’s on your mind? #LetsShare

Posted on 21 February 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Jo, Wellbeing Practitioner and Time to Change Champion, talks about Cardiff University’s new Mental Health Campaign: What’s on your mind? #LetsShare, encouraging us all to share more when it comes to mental health… Mental health problems are common. One in four of us will be affected at some point in our lives. So being able
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Speak about your mental health, creatively

Posted on 9 February 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Student Wellbeing Champion, Tamzin, discusses creative ways to speak about your mental health and improve your wellbeing. I’m one of over a hundred Student Wellbeing Champions (trained students who offer peer to peer support around campus and via online instant messaging) and reducing the stigma that surrounds mental health is something we’re all passionate about. On
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Why you should Chat to a Champion

Posted on 29 January 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Hannah, one of our Student Wellbeing Champions, talks about Online Peer Support and the new Chat to a Champion service. The Chat to a Champion online drop-in launched last term! It’s a great way for us Wellbeing Champions to offer peer support to students over the internet. What I think is so great about it
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December Downloads: Apps to keep you on the right track

Posted on 11 December 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Nichola, Counselling, Health and Wellbeing placement student, shares her recommendations on the best apps to support your wellbeing, study and finances… December is known for its festive activities which bring joy to many but can also be frustrating for others. Winter recess is that time of the year when many student houses empty for a couple
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Be Suicide-Alert

Posted on 22 November 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Tamzin, one of the Student Wellbeing Champions, talks about Suicide Safety and how to become a Suicide-Alert Helper. Suicide – it’s a difficult topic but we need to drop the stigma and say the word. Suicide can affect anyone. There is no template for who can be suicidal. Be Suicide-Alert I recently attended a four-hour
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Wake up your Wellbeing!

Posted on 20 November 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Rachel, Wellbeing Practitioner from the Counselling, Health & Wellbeing Service, talks about wellbeing and how you can attend a new peer-delivered workshop to enhance your own wellbeing. Mental wellbeing is more than just ‘feeling happy’ – it involves both the mind and the body. Happiness is a part of this, but in a wider sense it
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Support for students who grew up with an alcoholic parent or guardian

Posted on 13 November 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Eleanor Brown, Wellbeing Practitioner, talks about the support available for students who grew up with an alcoholic parent. This week is Alcohol Awareness Week. Find out how our Counselling, Health and Wellbeing service could help if you grew up with an alcoholic parent. Find out more about Alcohol Awareness Week and the support available here
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Alcohol Awareness Week

Posted on 13 November 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Eleanor, Counsellor and Wellbeing Practitioner, talks about alcohol at uni… This week is Alcohol Awareness Week. Take some time to find out about drinking safely and the support available at Cardiff University. Find out more about the support available for students who grew up with an alcoholic parent or guardian here 3 Tips for drinking
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University not going so well?

Posted on 8 November 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Our Advice and Money Team give you some tips on what to do if you are struggling with university and considering withdrawing… Starting university is exciting but it also comes with some anxiety. It’s quite common to feel overwhelmed in the first few weeks and wonder if you are in the right place, or if
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Benjamin’s Bright SPARK

Posted on 30 October 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

How Benjamin Land is using Enterprise and SPARK to help young people suffering with mental health issues ‘Prior to university, I had a vision about setting up a retreat centre for mental wellbeing offering a wide variety of activities. I decided to turn thought into action by drawing together a variety of nourishing and supportive activities
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Personal Safety: A Guide for Cardiff Students

Posted on 23 October 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Our student intern, Sophie shares how you and your friends can stay safe in the lovely city of Cardiff… So you’ve settled into your student life and are getting on with your studies, but do you know how to stay safe when at university? Cardiff is generally a safe city, but it’s still important to
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Managing anxiety

Posted on 20 October 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Sari, Student Counsellor, talks about the Managing Anxiety course offered by the Counselling, Health and Wellbeing Service… Sometimes anxiety is a massive nuisance – it stops us from trying new things, undermines our confidence, clutters up our minds so that we can’t think straight.  You might have noticed the anxious ‘voice’ inside you, telling you stories
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Learn to overcome negative thinking

Posted on 18 October 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Natalie, Student Wellbeing Champion, talks about the Living Life to the Full course offered by the Counselling, Health and Wellbeing Service… When you are experiencing stress or going through a difficult time, you may also notice how your thoughts and cognitions are also negatively affected. Imagine walking down the street and seeing a close friend walking past.
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Living with OCD: A poetic insight

Posted on 16 October 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

In line with OCD Awareness Week in October, Wellbeing Champion, Emma, shares a personal poem called ‘Quirks’ about her experience with Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Quirks Sitting in a coffee shop talking to your friend You laugh, The big proclamation: ‘I’m so OCD!’ You proceed to explain Your charming oddity, The funniest joke in the
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3 Tips for Looking after your Mental Health

Posted on 12 October 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Tamzin, Wellbeing Champion for the Counselling, Health & Wellbeing Service, talks about why mental health matters… Why do we prioritise physical ailments over mental illness? Just because you can’t see an illness doesn’t mean it’s not there. Mental health and self-care is so important within today’s modern stressful society. When it all gets too much and
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National Coming Out Day

Posted on 11 October 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Jo, a member of the Student Wellbeing Team, talks about National Coming Out Day on 11th October… From birth, most of us are raised to think of ourselves as fitting into a certain mould. Our culture and our families teach us that we are ‘supposed to’ be attracted to people of a different sex, and
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Mind your Head

Posted on 9 October 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Rachel from the Health and Wellbeing Team talks about World Mental Health Day and gives advice on maintaining your mental health whilst at university. World Mental Health Day is on Tuesday 10 October and all week at Cardiff University we are promoting awareness of mental health through ‘Mind Your Head Week’ organised by your VP
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Feeling homesick? Here are some tips to help

Posted on 6 October 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Amy, from our Counselling, Health & Team, talks about dealing with homesickness. The transition for students when starting university can be smooth for some and really tough for others. It’s not surprising that some students find the change difficult. Some will also have the added challenge of missing home or struggling with adapting to a new
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Meet Paula, the key contact for care leavers and estranged students

Posted on 4 October 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Paula, our dedicated contact for care leavers and estranged students, gives a warm welcome to new and returning students and explains the support available… My name is Paula Barker and I’m the dedicated contact for care leavers and estranged students at Cardiff University. I’m based in the Advice and Money Team within the Graduate Centre (3rd floor)
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Student Veterans’ Meet Up

Posted on 2 October 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Rachel, Wellbeing Practitioner, talks about the first Student Veterans’ Meet Up of the term. Have you served or are you serving in the British Armed Forces? We would like to invite you to our Forces’ Veteran’s Meet Up to meet with other Student Veterans for the opportunity to get to know each other and talk
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Top tips to thrive at uni!

Posted on 22 September 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Tamzin, Wellbeing Champion for the Counselling, Health and Wellbeing Service, talks about getting the most out of your experience when starting uni for the first time… Well it’s here! You’ve aced your A-levels and now the day is upon you – you’re starting uni! Starting university can be very daunting – you may be moving to
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Living a healthy University life

Posted on 1 September 2017 by Your Student Life, Supported

Two of our students have teamed up to share advice for freshers and current students on leading a healthy life whilst making the most of your time here at Cardiff University! Well done! You’ve made it to university and you’re probably enthusiastic to explore and try new things, whilst also a bit anxious about how
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