Available Support
At USW, you have access to a whole suite of services and advice to help support you during your studies.
Support Available through the Students' Union:
Your Students' Union is here to provide you with quality advice and support with any queries you have while studying at USW. We can offer:
- Generalist advice on issues you may face (your studies, opportunities etc)
- Support in understanding University policies and processess, including submitting complaints and going through misconduct.
- Signposting to relevant University services or where external support is needed, quality third-party support services and expertise.
We can also serve as your support person through formal disciplinary and misconduct meetings with the University. This includes helping ensure you have the necessary information about the process, attending meetings alongside you to offer pastoral care and understanding next steps.
Please note we can not offer expertise advice or make representations on your behalf in regards to complaints or disciplinaries.
For any of the above please feel free to come to one of the Students' Union spaces or Contact Us here.
Support Available through the University:
The University are your main point of contact for any queries relating to your studies. The University also offer wellbeing support and access to other services such as career support and studyskills.
All support can be accessed via AdviceZone or here.
Mental Health Advice Support and Advice
If you’re in crisis or need immediate mental health support, it’s important to reach out to a professional service that can help right now.
Please note that USWSU does not provide a mental health fast response service.
In an emergency:
For urgent mental health help (not life-threatening):
University Support
https://www.southwales.ac.uk/current-students/mental-wellbeing/mental-health-advice/
Report a mental health concern
Mental Health Welfare Concern Form
Helplines for everyone
If you’re in crisis and need to talk, the organisations below provide free helplines. You can also call these helplines for advice if you’re worried about someone else.
Samaritans
Samaritans provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide.
Telephone: 116 123
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
SANEline
SANEline is a national out-of-hours helpline offering emotional support, guidance, and information to anyone affected by mental illness.
Telephone: 0300 304 7000
Opening times: 4.30pm – 10pm, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.sane.org.uk/
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
CALM runs a free, confidential, and anonymous helpline as well as a web chat service, offering help, advice, and information to anyone who is struggling or in crisis.
Telephone: 0800 58 58 58
Opening times: 5pm – midnight, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
The National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK is a compassionate and understanding lifeline for those grappling with their mental wellbeing or thoughts of suicide.
Telephone: 0800 689 5652
Opening times: 6pm – midnight, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.spuk.org.uk/
Papyrus UK
Papyrus UK is a confidential support and advice service for anyone aged under 35 who is experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Telephone: 0800 068 41 41
Opening hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
Switchboard
Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ support line and can discuss anything related to sexuality and gender identity. Phone operators all identify as LGBTIA+.
Telephone: 0800 0119 100
Opening times: 10am – 10pm, 7 days a week
Website: https://switchboard.lgbt/
DAN 24/7
The Wales Drug & Alcohol Helpline, also known as DAN 24/7 is hosted by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
DAN 24/7 is a free and bilingual telephone helpline providing a single point of contact for anyone in Wales wanting further information and / or help relating to drugs and / or alcohol.
The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 0808 808 2234
Email: dan@helpline.wales
Website: https://dan247.org.uk/
Progress Cymru
Progress Cymru support LGBTQ+ people in Wales with their mental health and wellbeing through counselling that ensures clients feel seen, heard, and valued, focusing on long-term support.
Telephone: 01792 650777
Email: info@progress.cymru
Website: https://progress.cymru/
Bawso
Bawso provides practical and emotional prevention, protection and support services to Black Minority Ethnic (BME) and migrant victims of Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence, Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage, Honour Based Violence, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Telephone: 0800 7318147
Email: referrals@bawso.org.uk
Website: https://bawso.org.uk/en/
BEAT
BEAT provides support to people affected by eating disorders through their helpline, online support services and information.
Phone between 3-6pm, or via 1-1 webchat service from 3-8pm. Email support will also remain available during these hours.
Telephone: 0808 801 0433
Email: Waleshelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Website: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/