Help is at hand
One in six people suffer from mental illness in England and the university works hard to help students who experience mental health difficulties.
While people are usually happy to tell others about physical ailments or injuries, we are often slower to talk about the difficulties we experience with our mental health. But as you face the challenges and stresses of study, it's important that you seek the help that is available.
Rebecca Gibbs, who graduated in 2010 with a 2:1 BA(Hons) for Primary School Teaching with QTS (3-7 years), knows from personal experience what support is available to students.
She said: "I suffer from a condition known as Borderline Personality Disorder. This means that I sometimes find it difficult to control my emotions. I was going through a really good period when I started at university but then I began suffering low self-esteem and confidence."
"I waited until my third year before I made anyone aware of the problems. I was frightened that if I told someone in the beginning I may not have been allowed on the course."
She tested the water first by telling staff that she was feeling depressed and then explained exactly what she was suffering. Rebecca said she quickly came to realise that help and support was at hand.
"It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. The staff were absolutely brilliant and I was appointed a mentor who I was able to speak with whenever I needed. I spoke with my tutor and course leader and was put in touch with the disability team. They gave me a number of books on my condition so I could gain a greater understanding of it. The disability team also had a councillor who I was able to get in touch with at any point if I needed to talk to somebody day or night, which was really helpful."
Throughout the course, Rebecca was required to go on work placements and while she was too unwell to go first time round, the next couple of times proved a major success.
"Before I went, the university made those at my work placement aware of my condition, and I was provided a mentor who was at hand at all times while I was working. In my last two placements, I was given the top mark on my course, and cannot emphasise enough the support that I received from those at the university."
"I really wish now that I had confided in those around me when I first began my studies, and would encourage all students to let it be known as soon as possible if they are struggling. Help is out there."
With a degree firmly behind her, Rebecca is now taking her first steps into the world of teaching, something which seemed a distant dream only a few years ago.
"Three years ago I would never have imagined I would be where I am today. At the moment I am working as a supply teacher, but eventually I hope to go into teaching children with special needs, so these are exciting times."
