Worried about someone else's mental health

Remember, if someone life is in danger, please call 999. For other crisis situations please see our urgent support page.

If you are worried about someone else’s mental health, you can encourage them to access support available at university or Community Services as well as using the urgent support if needed.

If you are on campus and you are concerned about someone please contact Security If you are concerned about the wellbeing of another student in University accommodation you can speak with a Customer Service Manager Health and Wellbeing - University of Birmingham or find details of support available if you are in partner accommodation.

You can talk to your School Wellbeing Officers for advice and support if you are concerned about another student’s wellbeing. You can also contact the Student Wellbeing and Partnerships team for help and advice on how to manage these situations please by emailing swp@contacts.bham.ac.uk

MIND have a range of resources designed for Helping someone with a mental health problem - Mind including Helping someone who is a student - Mind

Student Minds have produced a Look after your mate guide

Remember you also need to take care of yourself and seek support if you need to.

Always remember that if you're really concerned about a friend you should encourage them to seek support from the University or their GP. However, this doesn't mean that you won't want to also support you friend as best you can. If a friend reaches out to you for help or you're concerned about their mental wellbeing, it can be really worthwhile to make a LIST in order to try and support them.

LIST

Listen to what they have to say

If your friend has decided to open up to you about their mental health, it’s important that you offer them your full attention. Ask open-ended questions about how they’re feeling, make sure that your body language is approachable, and show that you’re actively listening to them whilst they talk. You don’t need to worry about giving them advice or trying to solve their problems - simply giving your friend the chance to speak about their issues means you’re showing them that they’re not alone.

Include them in your plans

You don’t need to have a resolution for your friend, but let them know that you’re glad that they told you and you’re here to support them as best you can. It’s also important to show that you care in practise, as opposed to just in theory. Make the effort to spend time with them as you ordinarily would, and include them in social activities. Even doing small things, like making them a cup of tea, can really show that you care.

Signpost them to appropriate support services

You’re not going to have all the answers for your friend, and nor will they expect you to, so it's really important to encourage them to seek the support of those more qualified than yourself. Places such as Pause, Forward Thinking Birmingham and their GP will all be able to offer specialised advice, as will the mental health services available at the University. Let them know that whatever, whenever and wherever they decide, you’ll be there for them all the way.

Take time to care for yourself

Supporting someone who is struggling with their mental health can be extremely tough, so it’s also really important that you take the time to look after yourself too. Try to ensure that at least some of your day focuses on you, as opposed to just the person that you’re worried about.

Make sure to be realistic with your expectations of yourself - you can’t fix all of your friend’s problems, and all you can do is your best. Although it’s important to try and keep your friends’ confidence, you should also ask for help when you need it; family, friends, and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is here to support you as well.

There is also a wide variety of further support available to both you and your friend outside of the university.