Taking care of your wellbeing and mental health at university

Connect with others

When you’re feeling low, connecting with other people and sharing how you’re feeling can help you to get things off your chest. Friends and family members are a good place to start, but we know that not everyone has someone they feel they can talk openly with. If you’re feeling lonely, have a look at some top tips from a recent graduate on making friends at Brookes.

Two students talking and walking in Oxford

Student Connect - A supported way to meet new people

For additional support with meeting new people, check out Student Connect, a project run by the Multifaith Chaplaincy in Student Support Services to help bring together students with shared interests.

Support available

Remember there are lots of people across the University who are here to support you, including:

Student Support Services, for support with disability services, mental health and wellbeing
Student Central Advice Team, for information and advice about your studies
Brookes Union Advice Service, a confidential service which is independent from the University.

Our Counselling Service is also available to support you at times of any emotional or mental health difficulties. To ensure you receive the very best support, we have increased capacity and improved processes so that average waiting times remain short. The service also offers a range of free support including workshops, individual counselling and a host of self-help resources.

As a Brookes student, you also have free, 24/7, confidential access to Togetherall, a safe space for you to air your concerns and chat anonymously with others. Togetherall also provide useful resources such as journaling and goal-setting tools to help you manage your wellbeing.

Stay active

Staying active is just as important for your mental health as it is for your physical health. There are a range of facilities available at our gyms at our Harcourt Hill and Headington Campuses, including group exercise and wellness classes. Find out more about Brookes Sport facilities.

You can also join a student sports club to socialise and meet new people while staying active. Sports at Brookes is for all, and our clubs welcome everyone from experienced players to complete beginners.

If you’re not a sporty person, you can still benefit from a range of wellbeing activities such as Crafternoon Tea sessions or the new free student wellness yoga classes. You can also start a new hobby and make new friends by joining Brookes Union societies.

Get outside

Being outside and surrounded by nature can have a positive effect on your mental health, so make sure to get out there and explore our green open spaces, whether it's alone or with friends. Remember that you can enter Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum for free when you present your valid Student ID at reception. You can also join in organised outdoor activities such as casual Walk and Talks sessions with the Multifaith Chaplaincy or litter picks with the Hedgehog Friendly Campus team.