Mental Health

The Mental Health team offers support around practical, day- to-day solutions to various issues. It also supports students with existing mental health conditions, in addition to offering advice and support on the following:

• Assessment of whether practical adjustments could be made to teaching, coursework hand-in times or exams, to  reduce the impact that a mental health condition has on the your studies at college
• Support when discussing needs to teaching staff should this be required
• Practical goal setting and suggestions of how to address certain issues you may be experiencing
• Support accessing local statutory services such as Merseycare and CAMHS and other non-statutory agencies such as YPAS
• Signposting to agencies who can support students with alcohol and substance use issues, self-harm, anxiety, and depression
• Signposting to internal and external counselling services.

Students Against Depression

Students Against Depression offers support for students at college and university who may be struggling with their mental health.  It provides a calm environment and the resources to help you find a way forward if affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking.

Visit the website for a range of free resources, expert advice and guidance.

Mersey Care Student Health Line

Mersey Care has launched the new Student Help Line for students on Merseyside to highlight the importance of maintaining good mental health and wellbeing.  The helpline urges anyone with concerns around physical, mental and sexual health to get in touch – call: 0151 295 9900.  Lines are open 8am – 8pm daily.

Student Space is a website providing a range of health and well-being support for higher education students. It’s a safe, confidential resource that has been developed with students and experts in student well-being and mental health.

Find out more about Student Space here

Linda Leonard – Safeguarding, Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager

Mental Health Advisors:

Lottie Burgess – charlotte.burgess@liv-coll.ac.uk 

Colin Gallacher – colin.gallacher@liv-coll.ac.uk

Francesca Loguellou – francesca.loguellou@liv-coll.ac.uk

Lauren Smith – lauren.smith1@liv-coll.ac.uk

Mental Health Advisor Bios:

Lottie Burgess – Mental Health Advisor

I have worked to support young people with their mental health for 4 years after starting my career as a teacher. I am committed to breaking down barriers to learning, of which mental health can be one. I work with students experiencing psychological distress by offering non-judgemental support, helping them to succeed in education and beyond.

 I am a qualified Mental Health Practitioner. I am passionate about empowering people to overcome their mental health difficulties. I can support the student in various areas, with my main experience being in stress/worry management and low mood/depression. My aim is to support the student to feel listened to and experience a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space.

Colin Gallacher – Mental Health Advisor

I am a qualified Mental Health Practitioner. I am passionate about empowering people to overcome their mental health difficulties. I can support the student in various areas, with my main experience being in stress/worry management and low mood/depression. My aim is to support the student to feel listened to and experience a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space.

Fran Loguellou – Mental Health Advisor

I have worked in young people’s mental health for 5 years. I enjoy working together with students to offer support and find an approach that supports their mental health, no matter how big or small they feel the problem is. I can support students in a variety of areas, with my main area being suicide prevention.

Lauren Smith – Mental Health Advisor

I have worked in the field of mental health for almost 6 years now and I am passionate about helping people grow in their mindset, so that they are equipped to improve their overall mental health. I specialise in anxiety, self-esteem, addictions, and depression.

If you’re a student of the college and need to speak to a college adviser (Mon – Fri 9-5pm), please call 252 4848.

Out of Hours Support

For help or advice out of normal working hours, students can access the following organisations:

www.kooth.com (aged up to 25)

Below is a short library of resources that highlight positive ways to maintain good health and wellbeing.

• Building Happiness Exercises
• Challenging Anxious Thoughts
• Challenging Negative Thoughts
• Cognitive Distortions
• Cognitive Model – example
• Coping Calendar
• Coping Skills – Anxiety
• DE catastrophizing
• How to Practice Mindfulness Meditation
• Positive Journal
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation
• Putting Thoughts in Trial
• Sleep Hygiene
• Thought Log

The college has a strong working relationship with key mental health support providers across the city and wider areas and is able to support you with referrals to these services.  We will always discuss this with you first and the benefits that each agency provides.

Tel: Crisis Line Support – 0151 296 7200

Tel: Psychological Support Line – 0151 473 0303

View:  Merseycare 24-hour phone/online support services

If you need immediate support, you can also attend your GP or local A & E department outside normal office hours.

The Trust was set up in 1997 in memory of Charlie Waller, a young man who took his own life whilst suffering from depression.  Shortly after his death, his family founded the Trust in order to educate young people on the importance of staying mentally well and how to do so.

The aim of the Trust is to increase awareness of the signs and dangers of depression amongst young people and to encourage those who may be depressed to seek help. It also encourages those that are well to pick up the symptoms in others and persuade them to get help.

CAMHS is used as a term for all services that work with children and young people who have difficulties with their emotional or behavioural well-being.

Local areas have several different support services available. These might be from the statutory, voluntary, or school-based sector, such as an NHS trust, local authority, school, or charitable organisation.

Children and young people may need help with a wide range of issues at different points in their lives. Parents and carers may also need help and advice to deal with behavioural or other problems their child is experiencing. Parents, carers, and young people can receive direct support through CAMHS.

Visit the Liverpool CAMHS website to access a range of useful websites and apps

Kooth is one of the College’s key partners. Kooth is a transformational, digital mental health support service for 16-25 year olds. It gives children and young people easy access to an online community of peers and a team of experienced counsellors.  Access is free of the typical barriers to support: no waiting lists; no thresholds; no costs; and complete anonymity.

To find out more about the services available for students aged 16-25, visit: Kooth 

The following links provide additional support resources for students struggling with concerns about coronavirus:

Anna Freud Coronavirus Support

Young Minds Coronavirus Support

Young Minds Self-Isolating Support

Childline Coronavirus Support

Student Minds Coronavirus Resources