Wellbeing at London Met

female student smiling with colleague
Wellbeing at London Metropolitan University
The University has many services and initiatives to help you to maintain and improve your physical and mental wellbeing while you are a student at the University. We have pulled these together here so that you can access the information you need at a glance.
 

We are fully committed to ensuring all content delivered online is of the same high quality as students can expect on campus. Our approach to supporting students through these uncertain times is to show compassion, to make sure our courses are accessible, to show resilience, and to ensure that all of our students have an excellent experience. We call these guiding principles our CARE philosophy. We have also put together some further advice for those who have experienced covid-19 related bereavement.

Here are some other useful resources

ACTO - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Advice – advice for individuals in counselling, or about to start counselling, online or over the phone.

BABCP – Let’s talk about CBT – What can we learn from CBT for health anxiety that might help us with feelings of anxiety during the pandemic? In this Podcast episode Dr Lucy Maddox interviews Dr Jo Daniels from Bath University about things we know are likely to help.

Calm.com- Without a doubt, many of us are feeling anxious as we navigate the uncertainty of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Enjoy a free curation of meditations, sleep stories, music and more, all hand-picked to support your mental and emotional wellness through this time.

Down-regulating meditation for fear – short guided meditation, facilitated by Lael Keen of Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute, on how to self-regulate when experiencing fear - very relevant for all of us in the age of Coronavirus.

Free Psychotherapy Network - The Free Psychotherapy Network are offering online groups for people living in the UK who are isolated during this coronavirus crisis.  The network particularly reaches out to people who have few resources or opportunities for support, conversation and connectedness during this uncertain and frightening time.

How to counter the effects of social distancing – video of Stephen Porges, developer of the Polyvagal Theory, talking with Serge Prengel about countering the effects of social distancing. Good tips throughout!

MindSET Livestream (Body & Soul) - a live, weekly 45-minute session that helps provide DBT skills to young people in emotional distress. To register for each session, simply fill in the short form using the link above. Anyone registering will be given a link to the next session and links to view recordings of any previous sessions.  Take a look at he first session. 

ORCHA – is a health app evaluation and advisor organization – on their website they offer free helpful apps to help children and young people with the Coronavirus

Protecting your family during the pandemic - Dr. David Price of Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City shares information in a Mar. 22 Zoom call with family and friends on empowering and protecting families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Self-injury Support – a nationwide organization providing support to individual who self-harm/injure. Their services are still being offered remotely during the lockdown.

Step up (Rethink) – This is a link to an online resource for students, created by students in collaboration with Step Up/Rethink Mental Illness. They have created an interactive "magazine" full of tips on how to cope with the current Covid-19 situation, inspired by CBT techniques and insight into the challenges students can face.

The Help Hub - The Help Hub has been set up to support individuals who find themselves with limited contact due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus. It is led by a group of qualified therapists who are giving their time freely to help people in this situation offering 20-minute chats on Skype, FaceTime or on the telephone.

University Mentoring Organisation (UMO) is a specialist mental health mentoring organisation that the University has worked with to supply our students with specialist mentors. Their staff are highly trained and provide excellent support. On their site Julio Cervantes, an accredited mental health practitioner and specialist mental health mentor explains how you can take care of your mental and emotional health during Covid-19.

What Therapists tell Clients who are anxious about Coronavirus – a Huffpost article with a few helpful strategies on how to manage anxiety during the outbreak.

WHO (World Health Organization) Coping with Stress guideline – a friendly and brief guide on things to bear in mind during the outbreak

Contact your School Office with any query you may have about your studies, or to book appointments with the support services available at the University.

Our Student Services team is here to help you maximise your potential and support you with challenges you may face while you study. Find more information on the services we offer below:

Everyone at London Met is committed to supporting you during the changes ahead. We’re especially aware that those of you from other EU member states will be concerned about how the UK’s relationship with the EU may impact on your studies going forward. 

The situation is changing all the time, but we think the biggest impact is likely to be on those of you who are currently on an Erasmus+ study placement, on a year-in-industry placement in the EU or have one planned, have taken a break from studies and left the UK or who have field trips planned for the next academic year. If you think you might be affected please contact our international student support team.

Where can I get support?

International student support team

Other sources of advice

There are some really good Brexit FAQs on the Universities UK website. These are updated regularly and are a reliable source of information.

You can also visit the following websites:

In the case of a serious emergency that requires the assistance of the emergency services (Fire, Ambulance, Police) please phone 999 immediately. To use an internal phone, add an additional 9 and dial 9999.
 
You must then also contact the University Security Team on ext 3333.  This is to ensure that the Security Team can take the necessary steps depending on the emergency, and also to enable access to the building for the emergency services.

Counter Terrorism Policing is asking students, universities, and student unions to stay safe and know what to do in case of an emergency incident. The UK’s Senior National Coordinator for Protective Security, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D'Orsi, adds: “There is no specific intelligence to say colleges and universities are being targeted and the chances of being caught up in a terrorist incident or weapons attacks are still low. But sadly we have seen lethal assaults carried out by people with a variety of deadly motives. So it is important everyone stays alert and knows what to do if the worst was to happen.” Firearms and weapon attacks are rare but all communities  need to be prepared. If you should get caught up in an incident, their advice is simple: Run, Hide, Tell.

Run to a place of safety. This is a far better option than to surrender or negotiate. If there is nowhere to go then...

Hide, it’s better than to confront. Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can. Then finally, and only when it is safe to do so…

Tell the police by calling 999.

Remember if you see anything suspicious that is giving you cause for concern, trust your instincts and ACT. Contact the Security Team or report to specialist officers online.

In an emergency always call 999.

You may also find this list of Health and Emergency contacts helpful.
 
Additional Staff Information:  Details of first aiders based in your area can be found on the First Aider lists for Campus Buildings. You may also need to log the incident on the Accident and Incident Reporting Form.
 
Depending on the emergency, it may also be appropriate to make a Safeguarding Report. Please refer to you Local Safeguarding Officer for advice.  

The Students' Union offers specialist support and advice and can also help advise on academic support.

Contact details:

Students Union website

Book an appointment to see a member of one of our specialist advice teams.

Book an appointment

Information on how to obtain academic support and guidance.
 

London Metropolitan University is committed to equal opportunities and all applications are considered on their individual merits.   

Occasionally the University admits students who are under the age of 18 years. These students and their parents/guardians should understand that the University predominantly admits students who are over the age of 18 years and that they will be entering into an adult environment. The University treats all its students as independent, mature individuals and students who are under the age of 18 years will be treated in the same way.  

The usual personal and academic support arrangements will apply to students who are under 18 years. However, the University acknowledges that anyone under the age of 18 is legally a child and recognises that students under the age of 18 may therefore have additional needs in relation to their wellbeing.  

The University's full under 18 years policy is available at:

Under 18's Policy

For most students, University life is a rich and fulfilling experience; however for others, issues around their health, conduct and wellbeing may impact on their ability to study. Student support services at London Metropolitan University are accessible to all students and provide a wide range of pastoral care and support. However, there are times when intervention by staff or other students is required. The Cause for Concern reporting form should be used to report concerns such as health, wellbeing, conduct, safety or vulnerability which can affect a student’s academic engagement.

Safeguarding concern reporting form

As an apprenticeship student  you have access to a wide range of pastoral care and support provided by the student support services at the University. 

As an apprentice the support you receive in the workplace through your workplace mentor is as crucial as that you receive through the university. If you have a wellbeing issue whilst you are at work you may be able to raise this with your mentor. If you feel that you are unable to raise concerns with your mentor you can still contact the university even if you are in your workplace.

If you have a concern outside the opening hours of the university and your own working hours the links within the community support services section, below, lead  to organisations that may be able to help you outside of our normal operating hours.

If you feel unsafe and are in imminent danger you should contact the emergency services.

If you have any general queries regarding your course please email the Apprenticeships team.

Optimise your time at university by becoming part of the community, trying new things, making new connections and building your CV.
 
Student Services is here to support and advise you if you experience any difficulties while you're studying. They can also help you make contact with external organisations in your community that may be able to assist you. Here's a list of external organisations and services which may be useful to you in your university life.
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