I want to wish you all a happy, healthy and safe summer, and to those leaving us for new beginnings, a successful start to your next chapter. At the end of a school term or school year, I always encourage everybody to try to look after themselves over the weeks to come, whatever that may mean. The key thing is that ‘looking after yourself’ will be different for each of us. What works for me may not work for you, and vice versa. For me, it’s things like running, yoga, listening to Audible, listening to my Spotify playlists, morning walks, being by the sea, cold water swimming, drinking good coffee, watching good (and sometimes not so good!) telly, baking, and talking things through with my friends and family. For you, it will be different things. What does ‘looking after yourself’ look like, for you?

Sometimes, finding out what helps us feel good can be about being open minded to try new things, having a go and maybe getting it wrong a few times, before we get it right. Trying something new can feel scary, weird; maybe it might take us right out of our comfort zone. For example – in January, I tried cold water swimming. It was daunting, I was nervous and a bit shaky, I didn’t know anyone in the group – not to mention the fact that it was the coldest day of the year. Minus two degrees on land, three degrees in the water. Six months on, and I go as often as I can. I have made great friends, I feel increasingly more confident both in the water and out of it and I feel physically and mentally refreshed and recharged each time I go. It’s not for everyone, of course (my sisters both think I’m bonkers) but that’s my point – the trick is to find what works for you. The things that make you feel good. Only you can decide. I think it’s a work in progress for most of us. Figuring out the things that we enjoy and that make us feel good, and then finding ways of fitting those things into our daily lives, to benefit our wellbeing.

For those heading off to University or to an apprenticeship, gap year or job, the app ‘Student Health App’ is a one-stop-shop for advice and information relating to looking after yourself and staying safe. The free-to-download Student Health App enables universities and colleges to provide trusted health and wellbeing information in one single location.

What does the app cover?

The app offers reassuring information and advice on more than 125 topics relevant to students:

• Mental health: How to tackle stress, depression and anxiety, and how to manage self-harm and suicidal thoughts
• First Aid & Emergencies: Find out what to do next – from unconsciousness to asthma attacks, burns and head injury
• Alcohol & Drugs: Know the score on smoking, alcohol and common drugs – and how to manage a drug overdose
• Love and Relationships: Discover what’s to know about healthy relationships, abuse, contraception and sexually transmitted infections
• Healthy Living: How to stay healthy and well at uni – and how to keep active
• Safety: How to be safe on nights out, prevent accidents and avoid online dangers
• NHS: How to navigate NHS Services effectively and choose services sensibly
• Students can use the app offline, so the content is always available.

For a free, online counselling service, both during the summer holidays and beyond, Kooth have two online counselling platforms – one for students, and one for young people. Kooth is a monitored, safe and anonymous service where you can log your mood, participate in group forum discussions, set goals and access online counselling with qualified professionals.

Finding help at University

The team at Young Minds have put together the following list of routes into finding help and support once you’re at your University. The services available will differ between universities, but here are some places you can look for support:

• Your GP – If you’re struggling to cope, a good first step is to talk to your GP, so make sure you’re registered with one at your uni. It can help to write down what you’ve been going through before your visit.
• University counselling – Most universities have counselling services, which will give you the chance to talk through your experiences in a non-judgmental space. Find out more on your uni’s website.
• Tutors and student welfare officers – There may be a tutor assigned to give you pastoral support, or a student welfare officer you can talk to.
• Dean of Students office – To deal with all things relating to student services and welfare.
• Student Minds – Run support groups, especially focusing on depression and eating disorders, which are led by other students. Find out if they have groups at your university: www.studentminds.org.uk

And finally – perhaps most importantly – try to remember to enjoy this next stage, whether it be a summer holiday, your first job, University, an apprenticeship or a new school. Have fun, get excited, be open to the opportunities, connect with people, embrace the changes and look ahead. You’ve worked for this.

We’re so proud of you.

Take care of yourselves, and each other.

Lizzie
School Counsellor