Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Services
There are a number of really excellent services available to staff and students within the University to support the wellbeing and mental health, but knowing which one to choose can be tricky. We have listed those services below along with how they can support you.
MPLS Mental Health First Aiders
MPLS have a number of MHFA England trained Mental Health First Aiders on hand to offer confidential, informal support to anyone within MPLS experiencing poor mental health or stress, whether work-related or not. We can be your first point of contact and, by understanding your situation, can talk through your options and signpost you to the right service if further support is required. Get in touch confidentially via mhfa@mpls.ox.ac.uk, or get in touch directly through the bios on the Mental Health First Aiders webpage.
Staff Counselling Service
Introduced in Michaelmas Term 2022, the Staff Counselling Service is intended to be used as a therapeutic process that is a starting point in issue resolution. It is not designed for long term therapy. As a University staff member, you are welcome to self-refer if you need support with issues that are affecting you; whether related to work or not. Individuals can engage in up to six free sessions with a qualified counsellor. In-person and/or online appointments are available Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm.
Unfortunately, this service is not open to college staff.
Thriving at Oxford
A new Oxford programme supporting you to feel and perform at your best as part of the University community: Thriving at Oxford launched in MT 2022.
The University is committed to creating an environment where "everybody is supported to feel and perform at their best as part of the University community".
OcCupational Health
Occupational Health provides a service that promotes and supports physical and mental wellbeing in the workplace. It offers a range of services including advice to managers, the employee counselling service (more below) and health surveillance.
Bullying and Harassment Advisors
If you or someone you know within the University is experiencing bullying or harassment, get in touch with the Harassment Advisory Service or your local Advisors for support and advice on the procedure. More information about the harassment procedure can be found on these webpages. MPLS Bullying and Harassment Advisors are Daisy Hung and Justin Hutchence.
Togetherall
All students and staff at the University of Oxford can access Togetherall’s 24 hour, safe online mental health support. An online peer-to-peer support community offering discussions mediated by mental health professionals, self-learning courses and resources. Register for free for Togetherall and select "I'm from a University or college". More information can also be found in a recording about Togetherall on the MPLS Mental Health webpages.
Able Futures
Able Futures is a nationwide mental health support service provided on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. All University employees are eligible for nine months advice and guidance from a mental health specialist who can help you learn coping mechanisms, build resilience, access therapy or work with your employer to make adjustments to help your mental health at work.
Call Able Futures free on 0800 321 3137 from 8am to 10.30pm, Monday to Friday to find out more about our online mental health support. Or to apply online for support, click here.
Work + Family Space
The Work + Family Space is a University benefit for all employees that offers access to emergency back-up childcare and adultcare, a 'speak to an expert' phone line, and a wide range of guides and webinars. Access to the services, phone lines and web guidance is free for University employees, but you will need to meet the costs of any care that you book. Find out more on the Work + Family Space webpage, or watch our video on Work + Family Space from Mental Health Awareness Week 2021!
Oxford Mindfulness Centre
The Oxford Mindfulness Centre offers free daily online mindfulness sessions (Monday to Friday each week). The practice sessions are intended for anyone new to mindfulness and for those who would like to connect with others to maintain their practice.
Services for Students
STUDENT COUNSELLING SERVICE
All students at the University have access to a free student counselling service provided by Welfare and Student Support. They also provide advice to staff who are concerned about students.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICE - FOR STUDENTS
The Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service provides a safe space for students to be heard, with advisors offering free support and advice to any current student who has been impacted by sexual harassment or violence. All specialist advisors at the service are trained to support you at your pace, free of charge and in confidence.
PEER SUPPORT - FOR STUDENTS
The Peer Support Programme was developed in the early 1990s in recognition of the essential role students play in supporting and encouraging one another on a day-to-day basis throughout their time at university. Students can seek peer support from other students at the University.