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 visited our wellbeing drop-in, 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 drop-in for students
You can visit our drop-in service to talk about anything that is affecting your wellbeing, including issues related to mental health, accessibility, adjusting to university life, or discrimination, to name just a few. We have a drop-in service at each campus, please check our website for their locations and opening times. If you would feel more comfortable with a telephone or Zoom appointment, you can still request this via our online appointment form.
What we do
The Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service (SWIS) aims to promote positive wellbeing to students and work with staff to support the inclusivity of our organisation.
There are a variety of ways in which you can access support; from speaking to a member of our Wellbeing team, to accessing our self-help resources, and referral to our specialist wellbeing services. We are here to help you flourish and enjoy your academic and personal life whilst at university.
How we can support you
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing including:
- speaking with a Student Wellbeing team member
- Counselling
- SilverCloud - an online CBT resources offering a range of programmes on mental health and wellbeing
- Togetherall - an online peer-to-peer mental health community empowering individuals to anonymously seeks and provide support 24/7
- Access to specialist services - including internal and external services and resources for a wide range of wellbeing concerns
- Residence Life student staff live in accommodation and offer, support, advice and signposting
- Accessibility and disability support
- offering pastoral care, confidential listening ear and spiritual support to anyone in our community - Supporting diverse student groups, such as LGBTQ+ students, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students, and estranged students
- Supporting survivors of sexual violence, harassment and hate crime
- Providing advice if you are concerned about a friend's mental health
- Helping students understand the Study and Wellbeing Intervention Policy and Procedure (.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
Supporting 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
Student 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
