Self-Help at Home

If you feel like you are struggling with your mental wellbeing, it can be good to start off by trying to help yourself.

There is a variety of ways in which you can practice self-help at home, and it is up to you on what you choose to do. Below you can find some different scenarios/situations where you might want to practice self-help and guides on how to do this.

Self-Help Guides and Further Resources

Apps

NHS App 
  • You can use the NHS app to: 
    • Booking appointments. 
    • Viewing your medical record. 
    • Ordering repeat prescriptions. 
    • Checking symptoms. 
    • Finding up-to-date coronavirus advice. 
  • You can find out more about the app on the NHS website. 
LU Wellbeing App  
  • On this app you can find a range of self-help activities, the app can be downloaded in the App Store or using Google Play 

Health and Wellbeing Resources

Reading Self-Help books 

A good way to start practising self-help is by using self-help books. These can be found the Leisure Reading Collection in the University Library (Pilkington Library) or you can loan copies from the Loughborough Public Library on Granby Street.  

“Reading Well” Books on prescription titles can be assessed from the University Library. These books are based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for adults and include copies for a range of common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.  

Alternatively, you can read ‘Mood-boosting’ books related to mental wellbeing which are also available to loan from the University Library, these could be novels, non-fiction and poetry books. 

If you would like more information on these schemes, you should visit The Reading Agency website.  

Wellbeing Websites 

    • NHS Live Well- Advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing. 
    • The 5 Ways to Wellbeing- 5 steps researched and developed by the New Economics Foundations 
    • One you- One You is here to help you get healthier and feel better with free tips, tools and support 

Mindfulness Resources 

Below you can find journals which can help you reflection on your feelings and emotions. Additionally, there are opportunities for you to plan for the day, week and month ahead. We advise that you make some time each month to read through your past journal entries and to continue to add to them. They will be more beneficial to you if you continue to journal.  

After a Crisis

Self-Help Guide

 

You can also find further information about mental health crisis below.

Mental Health Crisis

Alcohol & Drug Use

If you are in immediate danger, you can call emergency services on 999 or call campus security on 0800 526966. 

Self-Help Guides 

Websites/ Support Services 

    • Mind - Recreational drugs and alcohol information. 
    • Turning Point - Support service offering a variety of treatment options for alcohol and substance use. 
    • Frank - Honest information about drugs. 
    • Drink aware - Information and advice. 
    • Alcoholics Anonymous - Support with personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics. 
    • Narcotics Anonymous - Open to anyone with a drug problem seeking help. 

Anger Management

Self-Help Guides 

    • Respect - Information and support for people who are worried about their violent or aggressive behaviour towards loved ones. 

Anxiety

Self-Help Guides 

 Websites/ Support Services 

You can also find more information about anxiety by looking at the webpage linked below. 

Anxiety

Bereavement

Websites/Support Services 

    • Cruse Bereavement Care - Offer advice and support for those affected by bereavement. 
    • SOBS (Survivors of bereavement by suicide) - Advice and support for those bereaved by suicide. 

You can also find more information about bereavement by looking at the Student Services webpage linked below. 

Death and Bereavement

Bullying

Self-Help Guide

Depression

Self-Help Guides  

 Websites/Support Services 

You can also find more information about depression by having a look at the Student Services webpage linked below.

Depression

Domestic Violence

If you are in immediate danger, you can call emergency services on 999 or call campus security on 0800 526966. 

Self-Help Guides 

Websites/Support Services 

Additional Resources  

You can also find more information about romantic relationships and conflicts by having a look at the Student Services webpage linked below.
 
Romantic Relationships and Conflicts

Eating Disorders/Problems

 Websites/Support Services 

You can find more information about eating disorders by having a look at the Student Services webpage linked blow.

Eating Disorders

Exam Stress

You can find more information about exam anxiety/stress by having a look at the Student Services webpage linked below.

Exam Anxiety

Loneliness and Homesickness

Injury and Illness

If you are in immediate danger, you can call emergency services on 999 or call campus security on 0800 526966. 

Self-Help Guide

You can find more information on injury and sickness by having a look at the Student Services webpage linked blow. 

Injury and Sickness

Procrastination

Self-Help Guide

Additional Resources 

Rape and Sexual Assault

If you are in immediate danger, you can call emergency services on 999 or call campus security on 0800 526966. 

Self-Help Guide 

Websites/ support services 

Additional Resources 

You can find more information about being a victim of crime by having a look at the Student Services webpage linked below.

Victim of Crime

Relationships and Sexual Problems

Self-Help Guides 

Websites/ support services 

    • Relate - The UK's largest provider of relationship support including counselling. 

You can find more information about sexual health and romantic relationships and conflicts by having a look at the Student Services webpages linked below.

Sexual Health

Self-Harm

Trigger warning: please note that these resources contain sensitive information about self-harm which may be distressing to some. 

If you are in immediate danger, you can call emergency services on 999 or call campus security on 0800 526966 

Self-Help Guides 

Websites/ support services  

    • Harmless is a user led organisation that provides a range of services about self-harm and suicide prevention including support, information, training and consultancy to people who self-harm, their friends and families and professionals and those at risk of suicide.
    • Mind has a website explaining self-harm, including possible causes and how you can access treatment and support. Includes tips for helping yourself, and guidance for friends and family.
    • The Mix has an article containing information on self-harm distractions and coping strategies.

You can find more information about self-harm by having a look at the Student Services webpage linked below.

Self-Harm

Sexuality

Self-Help Guide

 Websites/ support services 

    • Leicester LGBT+ Centre - Provide information on a wide range of subjects that affect LGBT+ people’s lives including signposting and referrals to other agencies.
    • LSU LGBT Association - Provide a support network for every student who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and all other denominations of sexuality and gender.

You can find out more information about sexuality on the Student Services webpage linked below.

LGBTQIA+/Sexuality

Sleep and Insomnia

Self-Help Guides 

Websites/ support services 

Suicidal Thoughts and Feelings

If you are in immediate danger, you can call emergency services on 999 or call campus security on 0800 526966. 

Self-Help Guides 

Websites/ support services 

    • Urgent help - details of NHS services to contact in a crisis. 
    • Calm - Provides listening services, information and support for men at risk of suicide 
    • Samaritans - 24 hour emotional support for anyone struggling to cope. 
    • SOBS (Survivors Of Bereavement by suicide) - Advice and support for those bereaved by suicide. 

Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse

Last Updated: 2nd June 2023