Time to Talk?

Talking to someone about what your problems – big or small – can make a real difference to how you feel.

Our 24/7 confidential listening and support service UBHeard is available to all registered students (undergraduate and postgraduate) at the University.

Whatever you’re going through, we can offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like by logging in to the UBHeard Portal, through Live Chat, or calling on 0800 368 5819 (Freephone UK*) or 00353 1 518 0277 (International). You can also text ‘Hi’ to 074 1836 0780 for SMS and WhatsApp support (standard rates apply). 

Find out more about UBHeard.

You can also:

• Drop in to one of our Pause@UoB sessions between 11AM and 5PM every Wednesday and Thursday at The Lodge, North Gate. Pause offers a place for students up to the age of 25 to talk about feelings and real life. Their friendly team of trained and experienced workers can share support and advice if needed. No appointment is needed.   
• Talk to the Guild's Student Mentors for advice on accommodation and life at University. They are a team of current UoB students, so they know what living in halls is really like. They can also support you if you're feeling homesick, need advice on looking after your personal health and safety as well as guidance on academic and financial queries. 
• Reach out to Guild Advice - a free, impartial and confidential advice service for all UoB students. Like the Citizens Advice Bureau, the team can give practical advice on all kinds of subjects relating to student life but specialising in the following areas: Academic, Housing, Wellbeing and International Support.

Booking an appointment to speak to someone is a great first step to receiving support and advice.

Each School has their own Wellbeing Officer(s), who can provide you with the practical and emotional support you need if you’re experiencing personal problems whilst at University.

You can also receive ongoing counselling sessions for mild to moderate issues through UBHeard. 

For ongoing therapeutic support, you can register with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team, who are staffed by experienced therapeutic practitioners who can help you explore any difficulties you may be facing, and work with you to develop effective strategies to overcome them.

Are you struggling and need urgent support?

There’s always someone who can help you.

• If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis and believe you cannot keep yourself safe, you can attend your local A&E for immediate crisis support or call 999. The nearest A&E to the University is at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
• Alternatively, find your local NHS Urgent Mental Health helpline which can offer 24-hour advice, support, and assessment for you.

You can also:

• Contact your local GP (doctor) and ask them for an emergency appointment. Please note if they’re not open, they should have an out-of-hours telephone number you can contact. If you haven’t registered for a GP yet, you can find out how to through our 'Registering with a Doctor’ page on the Student Intranet.
• Visit your local walk-in clinic – the nearest one to the University is Katie Road, Selly Oak.
• Get in touch with external services like Samaritans, who are there to listen 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, or Mind, available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, for any mental health support you might need.

Visit our Urgent Mental Health Support page to find out how you can access immediate in-the-moment support at the University. 

If you’re a victim of a crime, it’s important to know that you’re not to blame.

What happened to you was not your fault, you’re not alone, and what you do next is your choice. We’re here to give you the support and advice you need.

You can use our online reporting tool to contact a trained sexual violence liaison officer (SVLO) or one of our trained first responders. These are all members of staff who have received dedicated training to support victims and survivors of sexual harassment, in confidence. To access our resources, make an online report of an incident and to access our support, visit our ‘You Report, We Support’ page on the Student Intranet.

You can reach out to our Community Safety Team, right here on campus (in the Community Safety Hub in the North Lodge). They treat each case reported to them extremely seriously and can help you in reporting it to the Police. If you need to discuss a challenging or delicate matter, they offer several private rooms within the Hub for your convenience.

We also have active support measures on campus – and beyond – to guarantee your safety. Learn more on our ‘Staying Safe’ page on the Student Intranet.

Sometimes you just need some space to think and reflect about things – and that’s okay.

Based at St Francis Hall, next to the Guild of Students, the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy offers an inclusive space for prayer, meditation, and relaxation at the University. The Chaplaincy is a safe space for all students to take time out to think, reflect or pray, among many other activities. Everyone is welcome; all faiths and none.

You can also drop-in to Pause@UoB, a place for students aged up to 25, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11am until 5pm at The Lodge (by the North Gate) to talk about anything that may be worrying you, or receive support and advice.

It’s important to know what Mental Health and Wellbeing support is available to you during your time here.

You can access a wealth of resources designed to help you take care of yourself whilst at UoB.

From self-help guides written by clinical psychologists to handy apps you can download, our self-help tools are there for you to access as and when you need to help you with everything from advice around eating well, sleep, alcohol and drug awareness, stress, and much more. You can also access useful resources on the UBHeard Portal.

Changing an unhealthy habit can be hard, but there’s no need to struggle on your own. We’re here to help.

Addiction Recovery

University can be an exciting time but being away from a normal routine can sometimes lead to developing habits and behaviours that, over time, can start to have a more negative impact on your life. From substances like alcohol or drugs, or behaviours like gambling, online shopping, gaming, screen time, or porn addiction, you can get the help you need at UoB.

Better Than Well is a student-led addiction recovery programme, designed support students who are in recovery from any form of addiction while they study at the University of Birmingham. 

Postgraduate student "Bea" shares their personal experience of reaching out to Better Than Well. Read their blog. 

Undergraduate student "John" shares how Better Than Well can help with managing addiction at university. Read their blog.

Managing anxiety

University can also be a stressful experience for some. You may have anxiety about expectations, exams and assessments on the horizon, or thinking about the future. For some people, anxiety is manageable, and there are plenty of ways you can manage or reduce it. Read our tips for managing your anxiety whilst at University.

Looking after your physical health with Sport & Fitness

Getting up and moving around can do wonders for our mood and overall wellbeing. There are plenty of ways to keep active during your time at Birmingham.

No matter your fitness level or interests, UoB’s Sports & Fitness has got you covered. With over 56 different sports to explore and a wide range of fitness activities, from American Football to Ultimate Frisbee, there's something for everyone. It's not just about breaking a sweat; it's about finding something you love that helps you unwind and destress. Find out more by visiting the Sports & Fitness website.

Active Residences

If you're a student living in UoB or partner-owned accommodation, then check out our Active Residences programme - free weekly fitness classes and sports, designed for people of all abilities. 

From safe spaces to run during dark evenings, to calming yoga classes, indoor and outdoor sport and other social events, the programme offers a diverse timetable of activities for students to get involved in.

This is a great opportunity to try something new, get active (whilst having fun) and meet new people. 

Get your steps in

Getting some fresh air and exercise between study sessions or lectures isn't just good for your body—it's great for your mind too. Even just a quick 10-minute power walk can work wonders for boosting your mood and keeping you feeling refreshed.

That’s why we’ve put together a bunch of walking routes around our student accommodation sites and the local Selly Oak area. Check out our guide to walking routes near campus for all the details.

And if you’re looking for a longer walk, why not give our very own Campus Mile a try? With its mix of famous landmarks and beautiful green spaces, there's plenty to see and explore during your walks. It's a great way to break up those study sessions, take a break and make the most of your time on campus.