Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service
The Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service (SWIS) seeks to provide a professional and proactive guidance service for students within a healthy and inclusive environment, in order to support our students to fulfil their potential.
We understand university life can be demanding and stressful, and we want to ensure you receive the appropriate emotional and mental wellbeing support. SWIS provides free, confidential help and guidance for any concerns that you might have during your time at Essex. We can advise and signpost you to the support available for mental and emotional health, disability support, academic concerns, financial worries, and accommodation issues.
SWIS has a student survey for students who have accessed our support. We want you to share what we did well and how we may be better. You may have had a wellbeing appointment, used our University counselling service or attended one our Residence Life team activities. All students who complete the survey and provide their contact email address will be entered into a monthly draw to win a £5 SU Voucher, for use within all SU Outlets, including SU Bar, Greenhouse Café, and The Store
Wellbeing appointments at Colchester, Southend and Loughton
Our team of Wellbeing Assessors offer a welcome and friendly space where you will be able to talk about anything that is happening in your life.
We can help guide you to develop the personal resources and skills you need to navigate the challenges and opportunities of student life.
Our support is designed to be short term and intended to guide you on your next steps. If you need longer term support, we can help to signpost you to external health/wellbeing services and partnerships.
You can make an appointment which will last for 30 minutes and can either be in-person, by telephone or by Zoom. If you have any difficulties booking an appointment, please email wellbeing@essex.ac.uk.
Once you have booked an appointment online, you will receive an email confirmation. If your plans change, you will be able to reschedule your appointment online too.
We can help to support and guide you in several ways
Practical support
We can provide practical support with:
- accommodation (including accessible accommodation)
- crime
- complaints
- family
- harassment
- health
- sexual Misconduct
- time out from your studies
- and anything else that's troubling you
We may be able to provide initial advice on other matters as shown below but if you need more tailored advice and guidance, you should contact include@essex.ac.uk who will be best placed to support you.
Emotional health support
We can provide emotional support for a wide range of issues which may include:
- anxiety
- bereavement
- depression or low mood
- disordered eating
- gender identity and self-identity
- motivation and procrastination
- perfectionism
- relationships
- self-esteem/confidence
- self-harm
- sexual abuse
- stress
- substance misuse
- suicidal ideation
- trauma
- and other difficulties
Further support and information
Other sources of support
- Residence Life - delivers a range of activities and events to strengthen our campus community, reduce isolation, supporting students to adjust to university life
- Chaplaincy - offering pastoral case, a confidential listening ear and spiritual support to anyone in our community
- Counselling - is open to all registered students, including those who are intermitting on medical grounds. To access counselling, complete this online form. More information about the counselling service is available on our webpage
- Togetherall - a digital, peer support mental health platform where you can share your lived experiences anonymously and learn from the experiences of others. Register to access the platform and explore a range of short courses to help support your mental health
- Wisdom App - a health and wellbeing space, including instant calling, live chat and video calls with counsellors 24/7, 365 days a year. Download Wisdom on the App Store or on Google Play and use the code MHA307573. For more information, watch this video.
- Health Centre
- Report and Support
- International Services Team
- Student Funding Support
- Students' Union Advice Centre
- Essex Sport
Further information
- Policy on Tackling Misogyny, Sexism, Harassment, and Violence Against Women
- Essex Values
- Study and Wellbeing Intervention Policy (.pdf)
- Reasonable Adjustments Policy (.pdf)
- Fitness to Practise Procedure (2023-24) (.pdf)
- Student Concerns and Complaints Procedure (2023-24) (.pdf)
- Student Debt Policy (2023-24) (.pdf)
Support for student equality, diversity and inclusion
At SWIS we are dedicated to student equality, diversity and inclusion, and we are committed to enabling access to student support. Our staff members work closely with the diverse student population to widen participation with our service and celebrate diversity, and we are devoted to creating an inclusive and accessible campus for all.
- LGBTQ+ students
- Student parents and mature students
- Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students
- Care leaver students
- Students with disabilities or long-term health conditions
- University of Sanctuary students
Students with disabilities and long-term health conditions
If you have a disability or condition which affects your academic studies, please speak with us so we can provide you with support to make the most of your time at university. You can contact us directly at wellbeing@essex.ac.uk and read our
Wellbeing support and signposting (for staff)
- What to do if you are concerned that a student may be at risk
- What you can and can't do if you need to support or refer a distressed student
- If a student has experienced sexual violence there is help available from the University
- Tips for discussing sensitive matters with a student
- What to do when a student is thinking of leaving the University
- Familiarise yourself with the procedure you need to follow if you are informed of a student death
"I had a highly positive experience with the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service at our University. I received counselling, inclusion and learning advice, and used Togetherall, all of which were incredibly helpful and supportive. The staff members were friendly and approachable to my needs and concerns. Their professionalism and empathy created a welcoming environment that made me feel valued and understood. I highly recommend these services to other students, as they play a crucial role in promoting overall wellbeing and inclusivity on campus."
