WELLBEING
And mental health support
University Jewish Chaplaincy are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where Jewish students can feel connected, reassured, and engaged throughout their time at university. Our Chaplains are dedicated to providing support and a listening ear for students navigating personal challenges and seeking a sense of community, helping them to thrive academically and socially.
Our Chaplains receive safeguarding and mental health first aid training, which allows them to provide a care and support to students through one-to-one meetings, faith and pastoral aid, and offering guidance on accessing professional mental health resources when needed. We support positive welfare through a range of wellbeing events such as girls’ nights, hosting students for kosher meals, helping signpost support through the university, and providing opportunities for one-to-one connection.
At University Jewish Chaplaincy, we recognise that university can be sometimes overwhelming, isolating and fraught with new challenges and experiences. Whether one feels lonely, homesick, or just feeling low, our Chaplaincy couples are here for all Jewish students, ready to offer a ‘home away from home’.
Do:
- Receive mental health and safeguarding training, as well as have the opportunity to become mental health first aiders.
- Host a variety of events to promote positive welfare, from girls’/boys’ nights, weekly meals, providing opportunities for students to stay connected.
- Lend a listening ear to students experiencing loneliness, feeling low, or generally struggling with life at university.
- Work within safeguarding guidelines and will refer to the UJC Safeguarding Lead as necessary
Do not:
- Discriminate based on religious background, gender or sexual identity.
- Share personal information.
- Agree to confidentiality where an individual is deemed by the Chaplain / UJC designated safeguard lead (DSL) to be a risk to themselves or others.
- Offer professional psychological or therapeutic services – we leave this to qualified individuals in this area.
- Create a routine – this includes getting a full night’s sleep, balancing your studies with time for relaxation and socialising, plus taking time away from screens.
- Eating well – a balanced diet can improve your energy concentration and mood, and keeping hydrated is important (for bagels and chicken soup, contact your local Chaplain).
- Connect with others – moving to a new city for university can be lonely. Joining a club or society like a JSoc or attending Chaplaincy events are great ways to meet likeminded people with similar interests.
- Practice self-care; from exercising to attending an event that will lift your spirits, taking time to do things for yourself is crucial.
- Reach out for support if you’re struggling with life at university – whether it’s through your university wellbeing teams, GP or Chaplains, don’t suffer in silence.
** The external services listed on this page are provided for informational purposes only. University Jewish Chaplaincy does not endorse, recommend, or guarantee the quality, suitability, or effectiveness of any third-party services or organisations referenced. We have no control over the services provided by these organisations and accept no responsibility for any outcomes resulting from their use. Users are encouraged to exercise their own judgment and conduct due diligence before engaging with any external provider. This list is subject to change, and inclusion does not imply formal affiliation or partnership. **
- Speak to your GP, who can advise on support options in your locality
- Samaritans – www.samaritans.org 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 (free from any phone).
- Mind – mind.org.uk InfoLine: 0300 123 3393 The Mind InfoLine can help you find specialist services in your area.
- NHS guide ‘Five steps to mental wellbeing’ – https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/
- Shout – www.giveusashout.org for immediate support text SHOUT to 85258 to chat by text to a trained and supervised volunteer. Free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Nightline – https://nightline.ac.uk/listening-services/
- Beat – eating disorders helpline, 0808 801 0677, https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/get-help-for-myself/i-need-support-now/one-to-one-web-chat/
- Papyrus – provides advice and support for young people who feel like they want to take their own life. You can: call their free helpline on 0800 068 41 41 – lines are open from 9am to midnight every day. text them on 07786 209 687 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
- The Mix – free confidential telephone helpline and online service for anyone under 25, which aims to find young people the best help, whatever the problem. call 0808 808 4994 for free – lines are open from 11am to 11pm every day
- JWA – Female victims of DV and SA – 0808 801 0500 A free phone line, jwa.org.uk/webchat, advice@jwa.org.uk
- Jteen – students up to age 24 https://jteen.co.uk/jteen-student-supportline/
- Jami – www.jamiuk.org self referral for counselling, peer support
- Kooth – free, safe and anonymous wellbeing support https://www.kooth.com/
- org.uk – the centre of excellence for self-harm and suicide prevention https://harmless.org.uk/
- SOS Silence of Suicide – Call 0808 115 1505 – 8pm to midnight Monday to Friday, 4pm to midnight Saturday and Sunday; email contact@sossilenceofsuicide.org
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM); Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day
- NHS 111 – call ‘111’ from any UK mobile or landline phone if one is feeling suicidal
- https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/
Our faith based welfare support on campus is supported by the Department for Education
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