There is always a wide variety of support available to you. Browse this page to find out about the services that are here to support you. For any queries and support regarding academic programmes and candidature, please contact your Faculty Graduate School office.
Student Support Hub
The Student Support Hub are here to assist with any non-academic queries. If you ever feel unsure of who to contact, the Hub can point you in the right direction. Email studenthub@soton.ac.uk, call +44(0)23 8059 9599, or speak to a member of staff by using the Online Chat. For details about the range of support offered, please see the links below.
Student Disability and Inclusion Team
The student Disability and Inclusion Team supports all Postgraduate Research students. It doesn't matter whether you are full time, part time or primarily a distance learner. They can offer advice and support for students with disabilities, long-term health conditions (including mental health conditions and autism spectrum disorders), and Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) such as dyslexia and dyspraxia.
If you have a disability (including mental health conditions and long-term health conditions) or Specific Learning Difficulty, please get in touch with the Disability and Inclusion Team to discuss what reasonable adjustments may be put in place for your PhD.
Student Wellbeing Team
The Student Wellbeing Team are dedicated to supporting student wellbeing and enhancing the student experience of all University of Southampton's students, including postgraduate researchers. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Student Wellbeing Team can be contacted by emailing studenthub@soton.ac.uk or calling +44(0)23 80599599. You may also like to book a Wellbeing Chat to speak to a Wellbeing Advisor about your wellbeing concerns and the support you may benefit from.
Exercise Referral Scheme
A programme designed to show participants how they can use general activity and exercise to help improve both their physical and mental wellbeing, both under the guidance of an instructor and self-supported.
Student Inclusion Team
The Student Inclusion team can offer proactive support and guidance to students who may not know the best course of action to take with a particular issue. Additionally, they are committed to supporting specific groups of students, including Care Leavers, Estranged Students, Mature Students and Living at Home Students.
Faith and Reflection Centre
Sometimes you just need a place to be or be quiet for a moment, to reflect in the midst of a busy academic life, you can find this at the Faith and Reflection Centre: it is a place of hospitality, safety, care and encounter.
Emergency Contact Numbers
Campus Security provide a 24 hour point of contact. Please contact the University Security team on +44(0)23 8059 3311.
If you, or someone you know is in a mental health crisis and needs medical help fast:
- Ring 999 to contact emergency services
If it’s not a medical emergency, but you still need urgent help:
- Ring 111 for professional health advice 24/7, 365 days a year and guidance on where to access appropriate health services
Other useful numbers:
- 101: Non-emergency number for the police
- 112: Emergency number that will work on any mobile phone anywhere in the world
In Crisis or Facing Significant Difficulties
If you are experiencing personal or emotional difficulties, or feel uncertain about what to do next, there are a number of ways you can access support.
If you need immediate support, for example if you feel that you are at immediate risk of harm to yourself, you should call 9 or go straight to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department. Visit the Immediate Support page for more information.
Student Wellbeing Team
The Student Wellbeing Team are dedicated to supporting student wellbeing and enhancing the student experience of all University of Southampton's students, including postgraduate researchers. If you are experiencing personal or emotional difficulties and feel uncertain about what to do next, or perhaps feel you have reached crisis point, then we can provide the time and space for you to talk with one of the team. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Student Wellbeing Team can be contacted by emailing studenthub@soton.ac.uk or calling +44(0)23 8059 9599.
Student Minds – UK Student Mental Health Charity
Student Minds is the UK's student mental health charity which can support you in gaining skills, knowledge and confidence to talk about mental health issues.
Samaritans
The Samaritans is a national organisation that you can call or email in confidence if something is troubling you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To contact them please call 116 123 from any phone, or email jo@samaritans.org.
Counselling Services
The University Counselling Service offers short-term counselling for students – the number of sessions will be agreed between you and your counsellor.
The University Health Service also provides information and links to Psychotherapy and Counselling options - The NHS Steps To Wellbeing Service offers both counselling and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). To ask for their help, simply call them on 0800 612 7000.
Togetherall
The University of Southampton has signed up to Togetherall, an online platform which provides a safe space to self-manage your mental health and wellbeing.
Togetherall works as a chat forum, is available 24/7 and is monitored by trained clinicians. Once you’ve signed up, it’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively and learn how to manage your mental health.
Members of Togetherall are anonymous, so no one will know you’re using it, unless you tell them. Most members report feeling better and more able to cope as a result of using the service because it’s available around the clock.
What Togetherall provides:
- Access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Clinically managed with trained professionals available 24/7 to keep the community safe
- Self-assessments & recommended resources
- Creative tools to help express how you’re feeling
- Wide range of self-guided courses to do at your own pace
For an explanation of Togetherall, watch this short video.
Social Prescribing Service
Social Prescribing Service is there to support the non-medical aspects of health – good relationships, a feeling of purpose, and your mental health. You can self-refer to this service by calling 02380 170 610 or through your GP.
Steps to Wellbeing
Steps to Wellbeing (or find your local service provider) – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a talking therapy that can help you manage your wellbeing by changing the way that you think and behave. The NHS offers CBT for free, and individuals can self-refer to their local service.
Support for International Students
Being away from home can be a difficult time, particularly for international students. Find out about support groups and activities on offer by the International student support team.
Students' Union Advice Centre
The Students' Union Advice Centre provides free, independent and confidential support to all students. Visit the website to find out more and to access a number of guides that include practical advice. Call the Advice Centre on 023 8059 2085 or email advice@susu.org.
The Wellbeing Thesis
The Wellbeing Thesis website aims to provide information to improve the mental health of postgraduate research students.
University Health Service
There are two National Health Service (NHS) practices on the Highfield Campus: University Health Service and Highfield Health. The nearest NHS practice to our Winchester campus is St Clements Surgery. You can locate other practices here.
Sign up here for the University Health Service Patient Access here, to manage your health needs and get quick, comprehensive and confidential advice.
Sport and Wellbeing
The programme of activities offered by Sport and Wellbeing, along with their outstanding facilities, enables you to make lifestyle choices to enhance your wellbeing through offering a comprehensive range of courses and classes to suit your specific needs, including watersports, swimming and fitness. Explore the opportunities and facilities on offer by visiting their website.
Student-Supervisor Mediation
The partnership between student and supervisor is an important one and one that we take seriously. Most of the student/supervisor partnerships work very well but occasionally some difficulties occur that may benefit from the services of those with experience in resolving conflict and diffusing tension. The University Mediation Service is here to provide that service.
Inappropriate Behaviour Reporting Tool
Both SUSU and the University believe everyone should be able to enjoy their time at university and all the experiences that go along with that. However we recognise that sometimes things can happen that are not okay. By reporting harassment or abuse, you are making a stand against inappropriate behaviour and can access support and advice that could help.
You can choose whether to report anonymously or or leave your details for further support. Report here.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Take a moment to have a look at the Health and Wellbeing site, which includes important information on physical health, mental health and occupational health, as well as what to do in emergencies. There is also a useful health and wellbeing events feed for the Southampton area.
If you need to report an incident, you can download the incident report form here.
Self-Help Resources
Browse the 19 Student Wellbeing Team/NHS Self-help guides opposite, which cover a range of different issues that you may be experiencing.
Each guide includes an audio version and a video introduction.
For further information, resources and support please see also the Student Wellbeing Team pages, Mental health and wellbeing and Self-help resources.