This year, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 12th to the 18th of May 2025 and the theme is 'community'.
Over the course of the week we encourage you to get involved with this important awareness week, whether that's through taking the first steps to find wellbeing help for yourself, reaching out to a friend or family member who may need support, advocating and sharing wellbeing resources, or connecting with the wider student community here in Plymouth!
We are here to support you.
We understand that university life can be stressful, particularly when it comes to assessments and exams, and that every student will have their own unique experience and cope in different ways. As your Students’ Union, we are here to support your wellbeing and provide you with practical advice when it comes to taking care of your mental health, as well as signpost you to support services provided by us, the University of Plymouth and externally if you need it.
Quick links:
Here are our top tips for looking after your mental health as a student:
1. Find a healthy work-life balance.
We want to help you find a balanced lifestyle while at the University of Plymouth. Whilst we strongly support and encourage you to prioritise your academic studies when you can, we want to see students find a healthy work-life balance and to enrich their university experience by getting involved with activities outside of their core education. This could include getting involved in a sports club or society, undertaking volunteer work, or attending one of our popular weekly student nights at the SU.
But why is it important to find balance? Finding a good work-life balance is proven to help reduce stress and prevent burnout. Students who take regular breaks between their studies are more efficient, productive, and motivated. This is because when you find a healthy balance between work and fun, you develop greater control over your focus and ability to concentrate on tasks. Taking time away from your desk is imperative for your own happiness and fulfilment, so please do not dismiss it and think you have to place all your energy into your academic work at university in order to succeed.
2. Try to put yourself in the best position when it comes to preparing for you assessments and exams.
We know that working towards exams or coursework deadlines can feel overwhelming and perhaps impact your mental health. If you feel this way, you are not alone, but how can you best navigate this time to limit the impact it has on your mental wellbeing?
We have put together a 'guide to a successful exam day' that we hope you will find useful. This guide includes practical advice, top tips and resources to help you during the leadup to your exams.
Exam week squash sessions:
Exam week free yoga:
3. Don't forget to look after your physical health.
We understand that many students will have a packed schedule, including lectures, studying, socialising, and often balancing paid work. It can be difficult to juggle so much and as a result sometimes we forget to take care of our physical wellbeing. However, research shows that taking care of your physical health can support mental wellbeing and improve academic performance. So, what steps can you take to start looking after your physical wellbeing?
Don’t live on takeaways - eat well and support your immune system!
A healthy diet improves energy, memory, and focus, and improves your sleeping habits. Eating well is known to make you healthier and happier and help you to maintain good mental health. There are plenty of simple, easy-to-follow cooking recipes online for students who are new to cooking and for those on a tight student budget. Check out some student meal ideas here by the BBC Good Food.
Take regular breaks away from your desk and keep yourself active!
Whether you get yourself out for daily walks, join a sports club, or become a member of the SU Gym, make sure you get moving and keep your body in good physical health.
Find non-drinking social events to get involved with.
We all know that drinking on a regular basis, particularly binge drinking, is not good for our physical health. We encourage all students to get involved with non-drinking social events, activities, and trips to allow you to meet new communities, discover different interests and develop sustainable hobbies that support your mental wellbeing while at university. For example, check out the Give It A Go programme or our Student-Led Volunteering programme.
4. Be kind to yourself and to others.
We appreciate that times are difficult for lots of students; the cost of learning and for many students, the stress of exams and coursework can feel overwhelming. Please remember to be compassionate about what other people are going through whilst you are at university. Evidence has shown that helping others can have a positive impact on your own mental health, so whether it’s reaching out to a friend or house mate who may be struggling or getting involved in volunteering, take that step and be kind.
5. If you need support, don’t be afraid to ask for it.
There is no shame in reaching out for support. As a University of Plymouth student, you have access to a wide range of services dedicated to supporting you during your time with us.
SU Advice Centre - As a member of the Students' Union, we are here to support you through your time at University, providing free, confidential, and independent advice on a range of issues. You can talk to us in confidence, knowing that nothing will be shared with anyone, including the University, if you don’t want it to be.
University of Plymouth Student Services Hub - The University of Plymouth Student Services Hub offers a wide range of support services including counselling, mental health support, faith and spiritual support, advice for international students and so much more.
Togetherall Partnership - The University of Plymouth has partnered with Togetherall—a safe, online, peer-to-peer 24/7 global community moderated by clinical professionals to help individuals take control of their mental health through a wealth of resources and self-help courses for free.
Student Portal Wellbeing Resources - Check out a range of wellbeing resources including self-help guides and additional information to support your emotional, physical, social and financial wellbeing.
Emergency contact numbers
If you are concerned about the immediate safety of yourself or others call 999.
Telephone NHS Choices: 111
NHS Choices website
Telephone Samaritans: 116 123
Samaritans website
Out of hours you can contact the First Response Support Line on 0800 923 9323.
Additional links you may find useful: