Stress and Mental Health

It is helpful to know that many people experience stress and anxiety. Sometimes it is productive as it motivates us into action, but it is helpful to recognise when stress and anxiety become overwhelming and start interfering with everyday life. To stop this happening we can equip ourselves with different tools to keep a handle on stressful situations and feelings of anxiety.

• psychological therapies – you can get psychological therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on the NHS. You don't need a referral from your GP. You can refer yourself directly to a psychological therapies service in your area.
• medication – such as a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

There are also many things you can do yourself to help reduce your anxiety, such as: 

• going on a self-help course
• exercising regularly
• stopping smoking
• cutting down on the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink
• trying one of the mental health apps and tools in the NHS apps library
• www.studenthut.com/articles/mental-health-stress-anxiety-and-depression-university
• www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/student-mental-health