Student wellbeing
Better mental health and wellbeing starts with you, and NTU’s award winning resources and teams are here to help. We offer a range of online resources and on-campus activities to help you develop your skills in living happily, as well as specialist Wellbeing teams for when you need personalised support tailored to your needs.
Health and Wellbeing services
Our Health and Wellbeing services ensure you find the right help at the right time. It’s important to take care of your physical, mental and emotional health at university, and our specialist teams have got you covered.
Find out more about them below:
HealthyNTU is our award-winning health promotion team. We provide advice, guidance and resources for health protection, sexual health, alcohol and drugs, and emotional health and wellbeing. We also run health and wellbeing campaigns throughout the year, as well as regular wellbeing events and activities on campus with the support of our Student Mental Health Champions.
Students are encouraged to browse through our online Wellbeing Toolkit, where you can find out more about wellbeing activities on campus and great online resources including SilverCloud, an online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) portal.
Our Mental Health Support Advisers offer support, advice, and guidance to students with emerging or diagnosed mental health difficulties. We offer one-to-one appointments to make sure your mental health is supported while you study at NTU.
Sometimes your personal circumstances can make attending university or meeting deadlines challenging. Student Support Advisers are based in academic schools and work closely with students, as well as academic and support staff to help with this.
We also offer dedicated support and a point of contact for students who ask for help relating to:
- estrangement
- care experience or care leavers
- pregnancy or early parenthood
- mature students
- gender identity
Tell us more about your situation or give someone your consent to tell us more on our referral form.
Counselling can help with a range of mental health and emotional issues. These include stress, anxiety and depression. It can offer a safe place to talk about any personal, emotional or psychological issues that you want to address.
We normally offer up to four counselling appointments. These can be in person, by phone, or by video. We also offer the option of counselling by email for those who prefer not to work in 'real time'. Some people find it easier to email about personal issues rather than talking about them directly.
Issues discussed in sessions are confidential. Read our counselling service confidentiality statement.
If you want to find out if counselling is right for you, fill in our wellbeing referral form.
From viruses to vaccinations, your link with your local GP is essential. Registering with a local GP allows you to access help and support when you need to. We have Health Centres on campus that you can register with.
Looking after yourself
University life can sometimes be a little overwhelming. It may take a few weeks for you to settle in, so it’s important to take care of yourself and allow time to adjust.
Here are our tips for looking after yourself and others.
Our mental health can be fluid, and some days will be better than others. Feeling low can be a healthy reaction to difficult situations. However, at NTU we don’t want you to go through this alone.
If you ever find you’re not feeling on form, getting support early can make all the difference. You can always tell us if you’re having personal, emotional or mental health difficulties, and we’ll help you get the right support.
Our mental health team supports students with a diagnosed mental health condition on areas such as:
- anxiety
- depression
- concentration
- memory difficulties.
If you have an existing long-term mental health diagnosis and are looking for regular one-to-one mentoring support, this is accessible through the Disabled Students Allowance.
A certain amount of stress is good for us, but it's important not to let it get too overwhelming. We all deal with stress differently, so try different coping strategies to find out what works for you. If it's exam stress, check out Skills for Success for helpful tips and advice. Our Stamp Out Stress campaign runs throughout the assessment periods to help you stay motivated and healthy.
Our mindfulness walks are a great way to take some time out, clear your head, and get re-energised. Lasting for one hour, you can download our maps for the City and Clifton walks from StudentHub, offering you the chance to enjoy a calming stroll in quiet, pleasant surroundings as you reconnect with nature.
Being active is a great way to make friends and meet new people. It's fun, and has many other benefits too, such as:
- producing happy hormones
- boosting your immune system
- increasing your energy levels.
It's important you choose an activity you enjoy doing. Being a member of NTU Sport gives you access to on-campus fitness suites, classes and facilities. Students who are engaging with our Student Support Teams can be referred into the Wellness Access Scheme which offers free or discounted fitness classes or sports memberships.
As an NTU student, you can also hire a bike at a rate of £20 per term, or at a generous discount of £39 per year. We'll provide you with a free D-lock and plenty of initial support, so don't worry if you're feeling a little rusty.
Nottingham is known for its beautiful green spaces. With more than 20% of the city devoted to public parks and gardens, a relaxing stroll or bike ride is never too far away.
You get out what you put in, and that's especially true with food. If you eat well-balanced meals, you'll have more energy, find it easier to concentrate, and feel on top form. This doesn’t mean you have to follow a certain diet. It's just about moderation and making sure your body gets the nutrients you need to stay healthy and well.
Stay energised and healthy by making sure you eat properly. The physical and financial price of takeaways will soon add up. Sites like Save The Student have a huge archive of shopping essentials and money-saving ideas to help you get started. You’ll find lots of great student recipe ideas on our HealthyNTU site.
Looking after your friends
A problem shared is a problem halved, and talking can make a real difference. If you think a friend might be struggling, ask them if they're okay and get the conversation going. It can be hard to know what to say, so if you would like some tips, Student Minds have useful resources about how to start a conversation.
We offer free Look After Your Mate training via Student Minds. This nationally recognised training offers advice on how to support yourself and your friends.
If you're worried about a friend at NTU and you need our help, you can complete an online form for another student explaining your concerns.
Faith and spirituality
Many of our students identify with a faith. We're committed to:
- providing positive environments for people from different religious backgrounds
- offering places where they can practise their beliefs
- building relationships with the different religious communities throughout Nottingham.
Chaplains are available for all NTU students and staff. They offer pastoral support to anyone with a situation that might be worrying them, such as:
- a decision you've made or need to make
- general worries and anxiety
- homesickness
- loneliness
- a relationship breakup
- bereavement.
If you're a practising member of a faith community, you can meet other students who share your faith. Visit NTSU and look out for the faith societies through the Students’ Union. You can also visit the Wellbeing Centre on our Clifton Campus. Here you'll find a warm welcome and plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Faith and Chaplaincy
NTU Faith and Chaplaincy is committed to supporting the faith, spirituality and wellbeing of all students and staff at Nottingham Trent University (NTU).
Need someone to talk to?
There are a variety of ways you can get help and support. Don't worry if any issues arise — you're not alone. There's always someone to talk to, regardless of the issues or concerns you may face. You can get help here at NTU, or from local services in Nottinghamshire.
NTU students have access to:
- health and mental wellbeing support, and
- a range of other help, advice and services.
More information on NTU support
Academic support
When you join NTU, we're here to help you achieve your best and ensure you're getting the right support, from the right places, at the right time.
Financial support
We provide a range of support and resources to help you manage your finances while you're studying at NTU.
Studying through the cost-of-living crisis
How we can support you, and how you can make your funding go further.
Disability and Inclusion Services
Whatever your individual needs, circumstances and identity, we’ll work hard to make sure you get the support you need here at NTU.
Nottingham Trent Students' Union
Nottingham Trent Students' Union exists to represent NTU students and enhance their university experience from the moment they start their course.
Parks and green spaces
Nottingham is known for its beautiful green spaces. From stunning nature reserves to rolling hills, here’s our pick of the best places to chill – in and immediately outside of the city.