The NHS in Leeds is encouraging students in Leeds to seek help with their mental health and wellbeing with their local campaign, Feel Better. In a recent survey from the National Union of Students (NUS) more than 50% of students say their mental health has declined since the coronavirus pandemic began, with many of them feeling stress, loneliness, anxiety and depression.
Dr Gwyn Elias, GP and Clinical Lead for Mental Health for NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group said:
“I am not surprised about the survey results from the National Union of Students. It has been a very difficult time for students who normally would be trying to settle into university life getting used to a new place without their family. The pandemic has hit students hard as they now have the additional stress and worry of being isolated from lectures and their friends.
The NHS Leeds Feel Better campaign encourages students to seek help and support when they need it. It is a fantastic self-help resource for students’ to support their mental health and wellbeing. I encourage students to seek help and support if they feel like they cannot cope via student wellbeing services at your university, or speak to your GP.”
Working in partnership with local universities and their unions, Feel Better is a local NHS campaign to keep students happy and healthy this winter. You can find Feel Better on Facebook, Instagram (@feelbetternhs) and live health and wellbeing events on the YouTube channel. The Feel Better website has links to mental health and wellbeing self-help resources and details of where to find help and support if you need it.
The next event this week is with Dan Scarborough, the Former England rugby union international. He has shared some great skills tip videos with us which we will be using as one of our shorter special features on Saturday at 3pm over on the YouTube channel.
Previous events include: Sleep advice with Sumi; Infinite Tai Chi & Chi Kung session and Creative coping mechanisms.
Feel Better was initially set up to help students choose the right NHS services to reduce pressure on the NHS. The Feel Better website includes a pharmacy finder and information on how to choose the right medical service for you.
The Leeds mental health website, MindWell, also includes a host of resources to help people with their wellbeing, including self-help information and guides, as well as links to key services.
Notes for editors
The Feel Better website has links to mental health and wellbeing self-help resources and details of where to find help and support if you need it.
The Leeds mental health website, MindWell, also includes a host of resources to help people with their wellbeing, including self-help information and guides, as well as links to key services.