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Well-being support
The College is committed to the wellbeing of our students and staff. We recognise that everyone may need support from time to time with their mental health and wellbeing.
Needing support doesn’t always fit into the 9 to 5 so we have pulled together a range of support services and links to guide you through.
Safeguarding Team
Contact details
The College’s Safeguarding Team are here to support all our students and you can contact them via email Safeguarding@Southessex.ac.uk
A member of the team will contact you and provide some support. Students and staff can also access the Safeguarding Team’s Moodle page where there are resources on a number of topics including mental health, e-safety and mindfulness.
Togetherall
Togetherall is available to all students and staff at South Essex College.
The community is available 24/7! If you ever feel alone or the need to chat, Togetherall is here for you.
Togetherall also offers a wealth of resources and courses from managing anxiety to improving your sleep. Visit www.togetherall.com to register using your college email.
If you need any help registering please contact the Safeguarding Team.
Out of hours and closure periods
We understand that mental health and well-being doesn’t fit with office hours and you may find you need support at any point in the day or night. Below are links for organisations where you can get support 24/7.
YoungMinds
Text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger, for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.
If you need urgent help text YM to 85258.
Young Minds also offer a helpline for parents who are worried about their young person. Call the Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4pm, free for mobiles and landlines).
Every Mind Matters
Every Mind Matters offer a range of advice and support on mental health and staying well.
Every Mind Matters also offer advice on helping others .
One You
The One You website from the NHS also provides a great list of apps you may want to download to help you towards positive mental health and well-being.
The Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation have a range of tips and advice for looking after your mental health during this time. They have also provided advice finance, housing and unemployment concerns.
The Mental Health Foundation offer lots of tips and their social media channels give lots of daily tips on staying healthy or seeking support during this time.
Random acts of kindness
The Mental Health Foundation also have great tips on being kind to others and how we can all spread a little bit of kindness during this difficult time.
Samaritans
When life is tough, Samaritans are here to listen at any time of the day or night. You can talk to them about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult.
Call free on 116 123.
Shout
Shout offers confidential 24/7 crisis text support for times when you need immediate assistance.
Text "SHOUT" to 85258.
Papyrus's HopelineUK
If you are under 35 and feel that life is not worth living any more, call Papyrus's HopelineUK from 9am to 10pm weekdays and 2pm to 10pm on weekends.
Call HopelineUK on 0800 068 41 41.
Text 07786 209697.
CALM
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason.
Call 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight).
Free, anonymous webchat with trained staff
Education Support Partnership
If you are a member of staff at the college or you work in education you can access the Education Support Partnership who offer a free 24-hour helpline.
Call 08000 562 561.
Therapy For You
Therapy For You is available to anyone over the age of 18 who needs support with their mental health. Using a range of different therapies including online courses, 1-2-1, group, telephone and video, there will be a service to meet your needs. It is a free service for those residing in Southend, Castle Point & Rochford.
You can contact Therapy For You on their website, by calling 01268 739 128 or emailing epunft.contactcentre.iapt@nhs.net
VitaMinds
VitaMinds is your local NHS talking therapies service, known as IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies). It is a free service for those residing in Basildon & Brentwood.
You can self-refer on the website or by calling 01268 977 171 between the hours of 8am – 8pm Monday – Friday and 9.30am – 12.30pm Saturday.
Mental wellbeing audio guides
On this page you can listen to a series of mental wellbeing audio guides to help you boost your mood.
You can listen to them privately, in your own time, to help you through feelings such as anxiety or a low mood.
Mental Health Support Team
EMHPs are part of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs), a new government initiative that promotes good emotional wellbeing and mental health by helping children/young people and their families through prevention, early intervention and education.
Havens Hospices Coronavirus Crisis Bereavement Line
A telephone helpline open seven days a week for bereaved adults and children from across Essex, whose loved one has died directly or indirectly as a result of Coronavirus.
Call 01702 220 321
Switchboard
Switchboard is a helpline for the LGBT+ community. The helpline is there to help you with whatever you want to talk about. Nothing is off limits. They want to support you so when you finish your call or chat you feel like you have options.
Call 0300 330 0630 Open 10.00 to 22.00 every day.
Email Chris@switchboard.lgbt
Elefriends
Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. The online community is a safe place to listen, share and be heard.
Sign up online or you can download the Elefriends app from Google Play or the App Store.
Medical Advice
Most GP’s are still running telephone surgeries so you can book an appointment to speak to them about your mental health if you feel you may need medical support. You can also contact the NHS or emergency services on the numbers below.
Urgent, non-emergency medical advice
If you need help urgently but are not at risk of death or serious illness, use the NHS 111 non-emergency advice online.
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
People with hearing problems can use the NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) service
Life-threatening, Dial 999
In a life-threatening emergency, phone the emergency services and ask for an ambulance.
Call 999
