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How we can help

The mental health advisory service at Birkbeck is here to provide you with specialist advice and support in a safe, non-judgemental environment. Like the Counselling Service, we are here to help you when you are going through emotional or psychological difficulties. 

The main difference between our services is that the emphasis of our work is on practical support, rather than therapeutic interventions, to enable you to progress through your studies. 

The service is culturally sensitive, and our fully trained staff have experience in providing support for a range of conditions. 

If you have concerns about your mental health or are struggling to cope, please contact us for support as soon as possible. We also have information on emergency support and external agencies who are able to help you in times of difficulty. 

Who we support

  • We want to ensure that all students have the best possible experience while studying at Birkbeck. Our team offers specialist advice and support if you have a mental health condition that impacts on your ability to study and engage with the College community. We help students with the following conditions, although this list is not exhaustive:
    • anxiety disorders and phobias
    • mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar
    • eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
    • personality disorders
    • obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) 
    • schizophrenia. 

How we help you

  • Our team of Mental Health Advisers are able to support you in the following ways: 
    • offering you a wellbeing assessment
    • giving regular supportive contact, advice and guidance
    • collaborating with other internal support services to ensure you have an appropriate adjusted Study Support Plan in place
    • referring you to a college psychiatrist for a mental health assessment
    • liaising with other health services
    • referring you to an independent mentoring service for continued support. 

Mental Health Advisory Service events

  • There are no current events planned due to coronavirus restrictions.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT 

  • If you have a diagnosed mental health condition, you may be eligible to apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which provides funding to meet the cost of disability-related study costs (eligibility applies to UK and some EU students who are studying undergraduate and postgraduate courses). The application process can take up to three months, so we advise you apply once you have accepted your offer of a place on a course.

Other on-site support

  • To ensure reasonable adjustments are made by your faculty or school, we encourage students to complete a Study Support Plan. 
  • If your condition means that you need a safe space to rest between lectures, we have a rest room on the fourth floor of Birkbeck's main building on Torrington Square. Please ask a member of staff at reception for the key. 
  • In the event of an emergency evacuation, we want to be able to support you. If you have a condition that delays your recognition of the fire alarm or your response to it, please contact Health and Safety Services by or on +44 (0)20 7631 6218 to arrange a personal emergency evacuation plan.