Internal services

The Multi-Faith Chaplaincy offers an inclusive space for prayer, meditation, relaxation and worship, among many other activities. All students are welcome to visit, regardless of whether or not you’re religious.

Click here to find out more about University of Birmingham’s Multi-Faith Chaplaincy.

Guild Advice is a free, impartial and confidential advice service for students at the University of Birmingham; they’re always on hand if you need someone to talk to, and they offer practical advice on various subjects relating to student life. Advisors are available 12pm – 2pm, based in the ground floor of the Guild, and they specialise in the following issues: Academic, Housing, Finance, International Support and Wellbeing.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is staffed by a team of experienced and qualified Practitioners who can provide therapeutic support to you whilst you are studying at University of Birmingham. We work with students for up to 4 sessions concentrating on the issues that are causing you the most distress. Depending on the nature of your issue you may see one of our Psychological Practitioners who utilise counselling skills and a range of psychological approaches to provide support and tools to help with the problems you are facing. For more complex issues you may be referred to speak with a Counsellor from either Mental Health and Wellbeing Service or UBHeard for either ongoing sessions or signposting to the most appropriate service. All Counsellors are BACP accredited. 

All treatment is done with you at the forefront, aiming to support you as best as we can.

Self-help guides can be an excellent option for those concerned about their mental health. Our self-help guides have been written by clinical psychologists, and provide suggestions for simple ways in which you can begin to make positive changes, tailored to a wide variety of issues.

The guides are accessible, easy to use and relatively short (20-30 pages).  Each guide is also available as an audiofile – you may find listening an easier way to access the materials, especially if you are finding it hard to concentrate on written materials.

Studies have demonstrated the positive impact that self-help materials can have on people’s lives, however, it’s important to recognise that self-help guides are not a substitute for professional support. If you're dealing with serious mental health challenges or you don't feel that things are improving, you ought to think about seeking more personalised guidance through the Mental Health and Wellbeing Service or your GP.

If you’ve received a formal diagnosis of a disability or mental health condition, then the Student Disability Service can offer you further support throughout your time at the University of Birmingham. This may involve developing an individual Reasonable Adjustments Plan, to ensure that you’re able to fully access teaching, learning, exams and other assessments.

The University are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all. We believe that hate crime of any kind is never okay, and we will provide an effective response to anyone who reports an incident. Our online reporting tool provides two options: to report and speak to a trained responder, or to tell us about an incident anonymously. Our trained responders will help you explore all your options. You will be respected, listened to, and empowered to make your own decisions.

The University are here to support any student that has been affected by sexual violence. Sexual violence can take many different forms and covers a range of unwelcome sexual misconduct. Our online reporting tool provides two options: to report and speak to a trained responder, or to tell us about an incident anonymously. Our trained responders will help you explore all your options. You will be respected, listened to, and empowered to make your own decisions.

Each School has their own Wellbeing Officer(s), who are able to provide practical and emotional support for you if you are experiencing personal problems, particularly when these might interfere with your academic work. They can recommend sources of professional help and, if appropriate, will guide you through the extenuating circumstances process.

Find out how and when you can contact your school’s Wellbeing Officer(s).

Throughout the year, we offer a variety of workshops to help you explore some relatively common issues, understand how they affect you, and think about strategies for managing them throughout your time as a student. These workshops cover a broad range of subjects - whether you’re struggling to settle in to life at university or you’re experiencing specific challenges and concerns.

When someone is struggling with their mental health and wellbeing, their friends are often the first people that they turn to for support. But sometimes it can be difficult to know what to say or how best to help someone who has reached out to you. 

Find out more about supporting a friend when they reach out for help with a mental health issue.