Over the University Christmas closure period (23 December to the 2 January), many of our services will be changing their opening hours. Check out our blog Student Services opening times over the Festive Period for more information.

If you are worried that you might need some extra support during the Christmas closure period, please do not struggle on your own, there are resources online and also 24-hour phone lines that can offer support.

We have put together this blog to highlight the variety of ways that you can access mental health and wellbeing support this Christmas:

If you need help urgently during the Christmas break, please see the useful contact numbers below:

• For any urgent Halls matters, please ring the Halls hotline on 0800 029 1984 who are still operating a 24/7 service
• If you need campus Security Service, please call 0118 378 6300.(24hr service)
• NHS 111 – for medical help that is not an emergency (24hr support). For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 for an ambulance.
• Call 116 123 to talk to the Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org (for a reply within 24 hours)
• Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, (24 hr service)
• Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline in England
• PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
• Speak to your GP. Your GP should be the first point of contact for any issues affecting your physical and mental health, including suicidal thoughts. They will also be able to diagnose a state of depression or anything in your lifestyle that may be contributing to how you may be feeling.
• If you do not have a GP but need to speak with a doctor urgently, you can call NHS non-emergency number on 111 and they will direct you to the nearest available walk-in centre or doctor’s surgery.

Talking Therapies Berkshire

A friendly and approachable NHS service that offers support if you’re coping with challenges like depression, stress, anxiety or phobias. If you’re aged 17 and over and living in Berkshire, we can help you overcome the mental health challenges you’re facing.

Student Space

Student Space is here to make it easier for you to find the support that you need through the uncertainty of student life

Explore a range of trusted information, services and tools to help you with the challenges of student life.

They also have helpful blogs that offer advice on how to take care of your mental health and wellbeing:

• Making the most of your time at home
• If you’re going home for winter break but don’t want to
• Staying at university over the winter break

RUSU Welfare Directory

The RUSU Welfare Directory provides contact details for a variety of organisations and support within, and external to, the University of Reading.

NHS Self-Help Guides

In collaboration with the NHS the University has produced a set of self-help guides for students, they range in topics: Stress, Sexual Health, Anxiety, Food, Abuse, Eating Disorders and more.

The guides talk you through the subject and have a range of organisations to contact for further advice and help.

The Mix

The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. They are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via our online community, on social, through our free, confidential helpline or our counselling service.

For more helpful resources, check out the Emergency and Urgent help section on Essentials. 

If you are staying on campus this Christmas, don’t forget that we will also be hosting a traditional Christmas lunch service on Christmas Day in Park Eat for all students – this will be available during their lunch service times.