Coronavirus: Emotional support and online resources
Friday 3rd April 2020
It’s an uncertain and difficult time and we know some of you may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed and possibly unable to cope.
We also know that you may be going through other things in your life that may or may not be related to coronavirus.
Whatever you’re going through, we want you to know that you shouldn’t be experiencing this alone as you can speak to us.
Our offices may be closed and teaching and assessments may be taking place online, but our support team are here for you and are available to speak to you as normal.
If you’re experiencing any difficulties or going through something, whether it affects your studies or not, you can reach out to our Centre for Student Engagement, Wellbeing and Success (SEWS) team and our Disability and Wellbeing Advisor. You can contact them on our main number, 020 7078 8840, by asking for the SEWS team. Or you can email them at sews@bil.ac.uk.
Outside support
We also understand that you may not want to speak to one of our team and that you would prefer to speak to a professional elsewhere. There are many organisations based locally in London and across the UK offering help, support and advice on a range of issues. Many of these organisations are available as normal and run helplines and online chat services.
We’ve put together a list of these key organisations and the ways you can contact them below. If there’s any we’ve missed out and you think would be helpful to include for others, please do let us know.
Alcohol
Bereavement
Citizen’s Advice
Contraception & Sexual Health
Website: British Pregnancy Advisory Service
Abortion and emergency contraception services.
Call: 08457 304030
Website: National Aids Trust Helpline
For support and advice about HIV.
Call: 020 7814 6767
Email: info@nat.org.uk
Sexual Health Helpline: 0800 567 123 (freephone)
Domestic Abuse & Violence
Refuge
Website: Refuge
Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 200 0247 (24-hour freephone)
Women’s Aid
Website: Women’s Aid
Email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk
A live chat service is also available.
Drug Abuse
Website: Talktofrank
Helpline:
Call: 0300 123 6600 (available 24 hours, 7 days a week)
Text: 82111
Live online chat is also available 2pm – 6pm, 7 days a week.
Eating Disorders
Homelessness
Website: Centrepoint
Helpline: 0808 800 0661 (freephone, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Online chat is also available.
Website: Shelter
Helpline: 0808 800 4444 (freephone, open every day of the year, 8am – 8pm on weekdays and 9am – 5pm on weekends)
Live web chat is also available.
Mental Health
Website: Campaign Against Living Miserably
Mental health support specifically for men.
Webchat (available 5pm – midnight every day)
Helpline: 0800 58 58 58 for outside London or 0808 802 58 58 for in London (5pm – midnight every day).
Website: Mental Health First Aid
NHS Direct Helpline: 111 (free call service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Website: Papyrus
For people under the age of 35.
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Helpline:
Call: 0800 068 41 41
Text: 07786 209697
(Open 10am – 10pm in the week, and between 2pm and 10pm at weekends and bank holidays).
Website: Rethink
Call: 0300 5000 927
Email: advice@rethink.org
(Online web chat is also available, every weekday, 10am – 1pm).
Website: Silverline
For people over the age of 55.
Helpline: 0800 4 70 80 90 (freephone service available 24 hours a day, every day of the year)
Website: Students against Depression
Website: Student Minds
Website: The Samaritans
Helpline: 116 123 (freephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Rape and Sexual Assault
Website: Rape Crisis
Helpline: 0808 802 9999 (available every day of the year between 12pm – 2.30pm and 7pm – 9.30pm)
Live online chat service is also available.
Self Harm
Sexuality
Website: MindOut
Call: 01273 234839
Email: info@mindout.org.uk
Online chat support is available most evenings, 5.30pm – 7.30pm, and on Sundays from 2 – 4pm, with additional hours most days.
Website: Switchboard
Email: chris@switchboard.lgbt
Helpline: 0300 330 0630 (available 10am – 10pm every day)
Online chat is also available.
Victims of Crime