Sometimes you may face certain difficulties that affect your wellbeing and enjoyment of your time at University. This is very common, and it is important to remember that you are not alone and there is always someone to talk to.
It can sometimes be difficult to know where to access support for a particular difficulty, so we have suggested a range of resources that might be able to help.
This list is not exhaustive and in addition to these suggested resources, we always recommend that you seek advice from your GP or a professional support service regarding any concerns for your physical and emotional health. You should also contact your School Support Office if you ever feel that your circumstances are having an impact on your studies. You can also check out this external resource Miricyl that can help you to find the right service for you in your local area.
University services:
Counselling and mental health service
Self-help and advice:
Bullying and harassment advice
External resources:
Recommended reading:
Bully in sight: how to predict, resist, challenge and combat workplace bullying : overcoming the silence and denial by which abuse thrives - Field, Tim, 1996
Fighting back: overcoming bullying in the workplace - Graves, David, c2002
University services:
Counselling and mental health service
Self-help and advice:
Controlling anger NHS self-help guide
Alcohol and you NHS self-help guide
External resources:
Alcoholics Anonymous https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
Sex Addicts Anonymous in the UK
Recommended reading:
Overcoming anger and irritability: a self-help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques - Davies, William, 2009
Taking charge of anger: how to resolve conflict, sustain relationships, and express yourself without losing control - Nay, W Robert, c2004
Overcoming anger in your relationship: how to break the cycle of arguments, put-downs, and stony silences - Nay, W. Robert, c2010
University services:
Counselling and mental health service
Managing anxiety workshop series (look out for the next dates)
Learning how to relax workshop series (look out for the next dates)
Self-help and advice:
Health anxiety NHS self-help guide
Shyness and social anxiety NHS self-help guide
Advice for managing exam stress
External resources:
NHS advice on student stress and anxiety
Recommended reading:
The relaxation & stress reduction workbook - Davis, Martha, Eshelman, Elizabeth Robbins, McKay, Matthew, 2008
Overcoming anxiety: a self-help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques - Kennerley, Helen, 2009
Stop worrying: get your life back on track with CBT - Kerkhof, Ad, Akhnikh, Saida, c2010
University services:
Counselling and mental health service
Bereavement workshop (look out for the next date)
Self-help and advice:
Bereavement NHS self-help guide
External resources:
Recommended reading:
The CBT activity & information pack to help explore feelings of loss, death & grief. Couldrick, Ann. Thomas, Jenni.; Jay, Caroline.; Darwen, Sarah.; Child Bereavement Trust
University services:
Counselling and mental health service
Self-help and advice:
Eating disorders NHS self-help guide
External resources:
Recommended reading:
The broken mirror: understanding and treating body dysmorphic disorder - Phillips, Katharine A., 2005
The BDD workbook - Claiborn, James, Pedrick, Cherry, 2002
Overcoming anorexia nervosa: a self-help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques - Freeman, Chris, 2009
Bulimia: a guide to recovery ; completely revised & updated - Hall, Lindsey, Cohn, Leigh, 2011
The anorexia workbook: how to accept yourself, heal your suffering and reclaim your life - Heffner, Michelle, Eifert, Georg H., 2004
The food & feelings workbook: a full course meal on emotional health - Koenig, Karen R., c2007
It's not about food: end your obsession with food and weight - Normandi, Carol Emery, Roark, Laurelee, 2008
Feeding the hungry heart: the experience of compulsive eating - Roth, Geneen, 1993
When you eat at the refrigerator, pull up a chair: fifty ways to feel thin, gorgeous, and happy (when you feel anything but) - Roth, Geneen, 1998
Breaking free from emotional eating - Roth, Geneen, Roth, Geneen, 200
University services:
Counselling and mental health service
24 hour mental health helpline
External resources:
The Samaritans (Freephone 116 123)
University services:
Counselling and mental health service
Managing low mood workshops (look out for next date)
Self-help and advice:
Depression and low mood NHS self-help guide
Postnatal depression NHS self-help guide
External resources:
Recommended reading:
Overcoming depression: a self-help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques - Gilbert, Paul, 2009
The compassionate mind: a new approach to life's challenges - Gilbert, Paul, 2009
Mind over mood: change how you feel by changing the way you think - Greenberger, Dennis, Padesky, Christine A., c1995
Overcoming depression and low mood: a five areas approach - Williams, Chris, 2009
The mindful way through depression: freeing yourself from chronic unhappiness - Williams, J. Mark G., c2007
University services:
Counselling and mental health service
Self-help and advice:
Domestic violence NHS self-help guide
External resources:
University services:
Developing resilience workshop (look out for the next dates)
Self-help and advice:
External resources:
Self Compassion and self care resource
Recommended reading:
Emotional Resilience: How to safeguard your mental health: Barry (2018) Orion Spring
Mindset: Changing the way you think to fulfil your potential: Dweck (2017) Robinson
The mindful path to self-compassion: freeing yourself from destructive thoughts and emotions: Germer (2009) The Guildford Press
University services:
Self-help and advice:
Financial wellbeing in difficult times
External organisations:
University services:
Disability Advisory and Support Service
External resources:
TED talk - Dealing with attitudes towards disability
Recommended reading:
Loving Ourselves: The Gay and Lesbian Self Esteem Book: Kimeron Hardin (2008) Alyson Book
Transexed and Transgendered people: a guide: Purnell (2005) Glenys Conferences
Loving Ourselves: The Gay and Lesbian Self Esteem Book: Kimeron Hardin (2008) Alyson Book
Transexed and Transgendered people: a guide: Purnell (2005) Glenys Conferences
This Book is Gay: Amazon.co.uk: Dawson, Juno: 8601410657499: Books
University services:
Counselling and mental health service
24 hour mental health helpline
Social media and mental health workshop (look out for the next dates)
Mindfulness workshops (look out for the next dates)
Self-help and advice:
Hearing voices NHS self-help guide
Obsessions and compulsions NHS self-help guide
External resources:
Manchester Mind Peer Support Groups
Recommended reading:
Getting over OCD: a 10-step workbook for taking back your life - Abramowitz, Jonathan S., c2009
University services:
Disability Advisory Support Service (DASS)
Do I have dyslexia workshop (look out for the next dates)
External resources:
University services:
Disability Advisory and Support Service
Self-help and advice:
External resources:
Getting medical care as a student
Sexual health information and support services
Brook – Healthy lives for young people
University services:
Self-help for social anxiety workshop (look out for next dates)
Self-help and advice:
Shyness and social anxiety NHS self-help guide
Looking after yourself socially
External organisations:
Recommended reading:
The lost art of listening: how learning to listen can improve relationships - Nichols, Michael P., c2009
Let's have it out: the bare-bones manual of fair fighting - Hough, Arthur S., c1991
How to cope with difficult parents: Dryden and Gorden (1995) Sheldon
Difficult Conversations: What to say in tricky situations without ruining the relationship: Dickson (2006) Piatkus
University services:
Self-help and advice:
Coping with change and uncertainty
Looking after yourself socially
External resources:
Tips to deal with homesickness
Student Minds - starting university
Recommended reading:
Starting University - Second Edition: What to Expect, How to Prepare, Go and Enjoy (The Essential Student Guide): Melissa Scallan (2021) Katelli Publishing
University services:
Self-help and advice:
Dealing with disappointing results
External resources:
Recommended reading:
The procrastinator's guide to getting things done - Basco, Monica Ramirez, 2010
University services:
Counselling and mental health service
Self-help and advice:
Post-traumatic stress NHS self-help guide
External organisations:
Recommended reading:
Overcoming childhood trauma: a self-help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques - Kennerley, Helen, 2009
Overcoming traumatic stress: a self-help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques - Herbert, Claudia, Wetmore, Ann, 1999
Restoring hope and trust: an illustrated guide to mastering trauma - Lewis, Lisa, Kelly, Kay, Allen, Jon G., c2004
How To Do The Work: The Sunday Times Bestseller: Amazon.co.uk: LePera, Nicole: 9781409197744: Books
University services:
Learning how to relax workshop series (look out for the next dates)
Self-help and advice:
Six ways to wellbeing resources
Sleeping problems NHS self-help guide
External organisations:
How to get to sleep NHS advice
Free mindfulness courses with Smiling Mind
Recommended reading:
The Exercise Effect on Mental Health: Neurobiological Mechanisms: Wegner & Budde (2018) Routledge
Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World: Williams & Penman (2011) Piatkus
(University Switchboard)
+44 (0) 161 306 6000
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
