We all have mental health, and it can change from day-to-day. When you’re not feeling great it can feel harder to take action to benefit your wellbeing.
We have provided some useful mental health resources that are available to you below. Keep in mind that if you are in need of some extra wellbeing support, please let us know via the wellbeing button on StudentNet and we will be in touch to assist you.
Every Mind Matters is a useful website with lots of wellbeing and mental health advice as well as detailed emergency support.
Shout is online support from support workers and counsellors for all ages.
In Hereford, Safe Haven is a space for anyone over the age of 18 who feels that they are reaching crisis point. It is open: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evening details can be found in the link.
Kooth are providers of online support for young adults up to the age of 19, again you can chat to qualified counsellors and support workers.
BBC – Headroom has put together some useful tips of how to stay healthy and positive during lockdown which can be found in the link. They have also put together ‘Your mental health toolkit‘ full of everyday tips from sounds to relax your mind, strategies to cope with parenting right now or films to get you talking.
If you need urgent support for physical or mental health issues you should contact NHS 111 who will direct you to the correct service.
Personal safety is also important at this time. If you are drinking alcohol make sure you have worked out how you will get back home, can you buddy up with a friend to check both of you are home? Also think about issues such as the spiking of drinks, never lose sight of your drink. If you need to go to the loo ask someone to hold your drink.
All areas across the country have a problem with County Lines (drugs). Often the substances that are sold are cut (mixed) with other things that can cause serious reactions or worse. Again, please watch each other’s backs and call 111 if you are at all worried about someone.
Your wellbeing is important to us.
At HCA, we aim to support our students however we can. We have developed our own tutorial provision specifically to help you: build resilience, cope with the pressures of life while studying and prepare you for the world of work.
We understand that college life can be challenging, and that personal issues may sometimes get in the way of your studies. So, if things ever get difficult, you can access our wellbeing services. We have a team of staff to support you, from your personal tutor, to our wellbeing development officer and college councillor.
The independent counsellor, based on site at the College Road campus, is available to all students and provides advice and guidance for both FE and HE students. The counsellor will discuss any issue large or small, and can also advise, signpost, and support areas such as mental health and relationships. They are able to refer students to outside agencies where necessary and support individuals in a safe and confidential environment.
We also have a large wellbeing space where we hold regular workshops and seminars to promote all our students’ health and wellbeing and give them skills and proactive strategies to keep well and happy.
Contact us at wellbeing@hca.ac.uk
Drink Spiking
Drink spiking occurs when a substance is unknowingly added to your drink. This may affect how you act or behave with other people. These effects can affect someone’s judgement and in extreme cases incapacitate them, both of which can put them at risk of harm and/or serious crime. Drink spiking can be committed for a number of reasons, such as to facilitate sexual assault, facilitate theft or assault, or for amusement. Women are more frequently spiked than men, but everyone is at risk and anyone can help.
Common Drugs
Common drugs used for spiking drinks can come as powders, tablets or liquids, but will not have a noticeable flavour or colour. Some may be illegal drugs and some are prescription medications. Such examples include;
- Alcohol
- Ketamine
- GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) or GBL (gamma-butyrolactone)
- Benzodiazepines, such as Diazepam, Rohypnol, Temazepam
- Zopiclone
The Effects
The effects are variable, and may be affected by dosage, amount of alcohol consumed and the victim. Some warning signs may include;
- Drowsiness or lightheaded-ness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling confused or disorientated
- Difficulty speaking or slurring words
- Lowered inhibitions
- Distorted hearing or vision
- Paranoia
- Amnesia (memory loss)
- Temporary loss/change of body sensation
- Loss of consciousness
This may happen very quickly (within 30 minutes) and can last for up to six to eight hours. Sedative drugs, such as those listed above, when combined with alcohol can have much stronger effects, and can cause fatalities.
If your drink has been spiked, it is unlikely that you will be able to see, taste or smell the new substance, so prevention is key.
What to do if you think that you have been spiked
If you feel like you may have been spiked, tell someone you trust as soon as possible. This may be a close friend, member of bar staff or security, a police officer, medical professional or relative. If you aren’t with anyone you can trust, then call someone and get to safe space. Be wary of accepting help from a stranger and don’t leave with someone you don’t know.
If you or someone you know starts to feel like you may have been spiked, you should go to the hospital with a trusted person. In an emergency, you should dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.
It is important to be aware of the effects of being spiked so that you can be mindful of your own safety, but also to be aware of the safety of other people. If you start to feel like you may have been spiked, or a friend starts behaving differently, then you can take action.
You can report anything suspicious, or any situation that makes you concerned about your safety or the safety of others. You can contact South Wales Police on 101 or contact the emergency services on 999 if you think you are in immediate danger.
Prevention
The following steps may help prevent someone from spiking your drink;
- Never leave your drink unattended
- Never accept a drink from anyone you don’t know or trust
- Keep an eye on your friends’ drinks
- Consider sticking to bottled drinks and holding your thumb over the opening between sips (these are freely available at the college bar)
- Keep your drink in your hand instead of on a surface
- Don’t share or exchange drinks
- Don’t drink leftover drinks.
It’s important to remember that if you’ve already been drinking, it may make you less aware of any danger;
- Before going out, let someone know where you’re going and what time you expect to be home
- Make plans for your journey home with friends & don’t leave without each other
Student Minds
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