When starting uni, it is normal to feel a little bit isolated and overwhelmed in such a new environment. It can feel like your whole life has been flipped upside down as you navigate new friendships and environments- you might also be living on your own for the very first time. You might wonder; what can be done when it starts to feel like too much?
At university, there are plenty of options to help if your mental health is putting a strain on any aspect of your life. At LUU, our main goal is to uplift and support all students in Leeds, and we are here to point you in the right direction. We want you to feel safe, happy, and comfortable, so will always be a main point of contact for you and your mental health needs.
LUU Advice Office is open from 9:30am-4:40pm on weekdays, and this is accessible both online and in person. Advice is a free and confidential service that works incredibly hard to ensure students feel safe and supported. Whether you need help with housing struggles, academic concerns, or budgeting- this service, alongside everything at LUU, is independent from the University, meaning nothing will be shared with them without your consent. LUU exists to help you.
Help and Support are a very friendly and useful team at LUU. They organise wellbeing events, and create a safe and comfortable environment for students. Whether you simply need directions or someone to talk to, LUU Help and Support are there for you. Help and Support are the main point of contact, and if you need them, they will point you in the right direction of what will suit your needs best, in the moment.
LUU is not the only place where support is available for students. We are very fortunate that the University of Leeds provides free counselling sessions for students, and it is easy to apply through a form on the university website. It is vital to remember that, as a student, it is not shameful to require extra support. Something as simple as counselling or mindfulness can make a huge difference
If coming to university has made you feel isolated or lonely, why not join a club or society? At LUU, we have over 350 clubs and societies, which include welfare societies. Societies such as SSAFE and SASHA prioritise student wellbeing, and train students in how to support themselves as well as one another.
SSAFE (Suicide Support and Awareness for Everyone) is all about improving mental wellbeing for our members and the wider community. We host free weekly events- from arts and crafts and cosy ‘tea and talk’ sessions to trips to the Kitty Café and Halloween movie nights! We’re always working on exciting projects for the future. Our mission is to raise awareness about mental health, support anyone facing challenges and create a safe, stigma-free space for open conversations. We also partner with Papyrus UK to offer students training in suicide prevention.
– Ananya Rajeev, 25/26 President for SSAFE
There are so many places on campus designated to support you. LUU values student voice and wellbeing, and we offer so many routes for help if you need it. There is absolutely no shame in needing extra support, particularly as a university student! If any of this sounds helpful, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Email us at: helpandsupport@luu.leeds.ac.uk
A Complete Breakdown of LUU’s Spaces
Poem by Barbara Kempf
