Welcome to Let's Talk - your space for wellbeing support and connection.
At university, your mental and physical health matter just as much as your academic success. Wellbeing and welfare is at the heart of our Surrey community, and we're proud to provide a number of services to support our students. From professional help to peer-led support, we are here to help you start - or continue - meaningful conversations about wellbeing.
You can also find stories and experiences shared by other members of our community in the hope that it will encourage others to talk about the issues they are facing, embrace their uniqueness, and improve their own physical and mental wellbeing.
Need urgent help?
There are a number of safe places you can go and helplines you can call or text if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. In an emergency, call Campus Safety on 01483 683333 if you or someone you know needs immediate help on campus. If you are off campus call 999 for the emergency services.
University support services
The University of Surrey offers a range of pastoral services to support you while studying here at Surrey.
Centre for Wellbeing
The Centre for Wellbeing offers a range of pastoral services to ensure that our students feel well and supported throughout their time at the University. We are not a clinical service provider, but offer advice and support for mental, emotional and psychological issues, as well as signposting to clinical services.
If you're thinking about visiting the Centre for Wellbeing but are not sure what to expect, take a look at our video tour.
Report + Support
Abuse, bullying, harassment, hate crime and sexual misconduct are never ok. All staff, students and visitors to campus can report something anonymously or with their contact details through Report + Support.
Disability and Neuroinclusion
If you think you may have a Specific Learning Difference, but have never received a formal diagnosis, you can book a quick query appointment with a Disability Adviser to have a chat about how the service could help.
Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLOs)
Our SVLOs are trained in taking disclosures of historic or new incidents of sexual violence and are equipped to provide you with the support you need.
Counselling
We provide what’s called One-at-a-Time (OAAT) focused counselling, meaning exactly that - we offer you one appointment at a time, at the time you need it. Whatever your issue, your counsellor will help you understand it fully, gain new perspectives and generate solutions to try out straight away.
Mental health practitioners
Comprised of mental health practitioners, nurses and social workers, our specialist team supports students with complex or chronic mental health conditions, such as mood disorders, psychosis, personality disorders, and eating disorders and can coordinate support with academic departments and external health services.
Campus Safety
The team are here, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and should be your first point of contact for any safety or security concerns, including:
- sexual harassment or assault
- stalking and domestic violence
- hate crime
- mental health and wellbeing concerns
- drug/alcohol abuse and/or addiction
- First Aid (including epi-pens and defibrillators)
- Personal safety advice
Chaplains
The Religious Life and Belief Centre is home to all our spiritual, faith and belief communities on campus.
Chaplains from eight faiths and the humanist tradition are available to listen to personal issues, provide bereavement support and explore questions of personal identity and faith/belief.
ThriveWell team
Our ThriveWell team offers confidential, non-judgmental support for students, addressing issues like low mood, anxiety, stress, and loneliness. They provide practical advice, wellbeing drop-ins, workshops, and follow-up services.
Health Assured
Health Assured is a Student Assistance Programme designed to help you deal with personal or student-related problems. The problems could be affecting your home life, education, health, and general wellbeing.
Support from your Students' Union
The Support Zone is available to support you with your physical and mental wellbeing.
Nightline
Nightline is the Union’s confidential listening service, run by student volunteers. You can talk to them about any problem, big or small, in complete confidence. They won’t judge or advise you, they are there to listen and support you through whatever you’re going through.
Talk Together
Talk Together is a peer support service where you can learn coping skills to support you throughout your studies. Talk Together offers a 1-2-1 listening service where you can talk to a volunteer about any topic, such as assessment concerns, loneliness or anxiety or Student Skills Workshops to help you develop skills and coping strategies.
Welfare Watch
Welfare Watch is a student-led safe space. Our trained and dedicated volunteers support students who are drunk or distressed during a night out in our student venue, Rubix. They wear pink hi-vis jackets and are friendly faces to help you sober up in a safe environment.
Bereavement Café
The Bereavement Café is there to enable students to safely and confidentially, talk and express their emotions about any bereavement they may have experienced that may be impacting you. Exclusively for students experiencing grief, it is a space to reflect or openly discuss thoughts and feelings with peers going through a similar experience.
Supporting each other
Worried about a friend?
If you have an urgent concern about a fellow student's wellbeing, please contact the Campus Safety Team (emergency phone number: +44 (0)1483 683333). If your concern is not urgent you can contact MySurrey Hive team via Surrey Support. Please select “Wellbeing” as your enquiry topic.
Residential Advisors
Residential Advisors are a dedicated team of experienced University students who live in our on-campus residences to provide student-to-student support to their fellow residents, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for our community.
'Happy to Chat' bench
A space where you can chat with friends, make new friends, or even simply catch eyes with someone for the first time that day. We want this bench to be a symbol of hope, highlighting how none of us are alone when on campus.
Clubs and societies
The Students’ Union offers more 100 sports clubs and societies covering a range of activities and interests and is a great way to meet like-minded people.
Find out more about sports clubs and societies.
Wellbeing events
Let’s Talk is all about creating a dialogue around key wellbeing topics.
One of the best ways to do this is by meeting likeminded people and learning from wellbeing experts at events.
Looking after your physical health
Research shows that exercise can boost self-esteem, mood and sleep quality. As a student you can take advantage of great membership deals at Surrey Sports Park. Whether you'd like to take part in social sport or want to enhance your performance - there's something for everyone.
Join our SurreyMoves+ Community
SurreyMoves+ is a free-to-use physical activity app for Surrey students and staff. It is a platform that tracks your activity, rewards your efforts and challenges you to reach your goals.
Community features
Disability and Neurodivergence Awareness Month
Between 16 November – 16 December 2024, we held our first ever Disability and Neurodivergence Awareness Month.
During a month-long celebration, we held events, workshops and activities and provided resources to try and dismantle stereotypes, start conversations and promote a more inclusive understanding of disability and neurodivergence.
Meet the SVLOs
If you’ve experienced rape or sexual assault it’s important to remember it’s not your fault and there is plenty of support for you.
At Surrey, we have a team of Sexual Violence Liaison officers (SVLO’s) who are specially trained to support and guide you following rape or sexual assault.
Roots of Resilience
Former Ladies European Tour professional golfer and broadcaster Henni Zuël visited Surrey during Black History Month.
Her journey to overcome mental health challenges and discrimination is an inspirational story.
Now, supporting aspiring young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, Henni shines as a beacon of hope and opportunity.
Sam's story
"Being diagnosed as neurodivergent later in life has been both a relief and a challenge. It’s given me the language to understand myself better, but it’s also made me reflect on how much of my life could have been different if I’d known sooner. The lack of understanding in my early years has contributed to some debilitating mental health conditions, while also making a physical condition more challenging to manage."
Abi's story
Abi Hayes is a Biochemistry undergraduate student and disability activist at the University of Surrey. Abi, who helped establish the University’s first ever Disability and Neurodivergence Awareness Month, shares the highs and lows of life as a disabled student.
Giulia's story
"I’m simultaneously trying to build a future for myself where I don’t need to hate myself but also trying to have something similar to what the years I’ve lost would have looked like if everything had gone differently."
Writing is a medium of communication that represents language through the inscription of signs and symbols.
Health Assured
Health Assured is a Student Assistance Programme designed to help you deal with personal or student-related problems. The problems could be affecting your home life, education, health, and general wellbeing.
24/7 advice and support
Whatever issues you face in your student life — the confidential helpline is available 24/7, 365 days a year. If you need mental health assistance outside of the Centre for Wellbeing's opening hours, call the free 24/7 helpline: 0800 030 5182.
Financial and legal advice
Health Assured can provide extra support for a variety of personal matters, including:
- Dealing with exam stress
- Money worries
- Student loans and tax information
- Housing or tenancy concerns
- Alcohol or drug issues
- Bereavement and loss
- Relationship problems
- Medical support
- Help with family issues
Wisdom app
Download the free app using the code MHA268152 to access a range of resources including:
- Wellbeing videos and webinars
- Mini health checks
- Four-week health and wellbeing plans
- Sleep sounds soundscapes
- Guided meditations and breathing exercises
- Yoga and fitness videos
- Interactive mood tracker
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