In 2018, the Mental Health Foundation found that “almost three-quarters (74%) of people have at some point [in the last year] felt so stressed that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope”. So, if you are feeling stressed know you are not alone. This blog will cover what stress is and where to go if you need help coping with stress. 

What is stress?

“Stress is our body’s response to pressure. Many different situations or life events can cause stress. It is often triggered when we experience something new or unexpected that threatens our sense of self or when we feel we have little control over a situation” (Mental Health Foundation, n.d.).

Signs of stress 

You may feel:

• Anxious
• Afraid
• Angry or aggressive
• Sad
• Irritable
• Frustrated
• Depressed

You might behave differently if you’re stressed.

You may:

• Withdraw from other people or snap at them
• Be indecisive or inflexible
• Be tearful
• Have problems getting to sleep or staying asleep
• Experience sexual problems
• Smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs more than usual (Mental Health Foundation, n.d.)

If you are interested in learning more about stress, read Life Tools’ ‘Understanding Stress’ blog. 

Coping with stress 

Here are some places you can go for help: 

• Talk to the Counselling and Wellbeing team who can offer you professional counselling, wellbeing and mental health support
• Talk to the Student Welfare team who can help you with any personal difficulties you may experience during your time at the University
• Read Life Tools’ ‘Stressed? Strategies to restore balance’ blog for some tips on how to restore balance in your life
• Read Life Tools’ ‘Managing stress’ blog to learn strategies to restore and maintain balance when dealing with challenges
• The mental health charity ‘Mind’ have a list of useful contacts that you can get support from
• Check out NHS website page for more information on getting help with stress 

Need Urgent Help?

If you are in an emergency situation, are struggling to cope or need urgent help, please either see our emergency and urgent help information or contact one of the following services: 

• Your Doctor/GP Surgery – you can request an emergency appointment 
• NHS non-emergency advice – call 111 (available 24/7) 
• Emergency Services (Police, Ambulance, Fire Service) – 999 (only call this in an emergency) 
• University Security – 0118 378 7799 (non-emergency)/ 0118 378 6300 (emergency) 
• The Samaritans – 116 123 (available 24/7) 
• Berkshire NHS mental health crisis number – 0800 129 9999 (available 24/7)