international students mental health guide - web

SWANSEA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION
INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS
MENTAL HEALTH
GUIDE
SWANSEA
UNIVERSITY
STUDENTS’
UNION
UNDEB
MYFYRWYR
PRIFYSGOL
ABERTAWE

The Mental Health of our international students is a major priority in our Swansea
University Student’s Union.
It is understandable that moving to a new country to study introduces many barriers you
may not be used to. Examples of these barriers include different learning methods,
making new friends, a new climate, a different time zone, language barriers and moving
away from family and friends and the possible effect on communication to them.
This guide is aimed to provide students with the appropriate tools to go about accessing
support and some potential self-care tips, which may be crucial consider the major life
change of moving to Swansea.
We at the Student’s Union want you to know you are not alone! We understand you may
feel lonely, you may worry about finances, you may be stressed about exams, you may feel
you need to prove yourself to your families and you may even be concerned about how the
impact of Covid-19 affects your student life and access to support.
Adapting to UK Culture
Swansea University’s International Information Guide is a comprehensive resource for
international students coming to live and study in Wales. It includes detailed information
about many aspects of Welsh life as well UK culture and more practical tips dealing with
shopping, transport, health and support available to you- both inside and outside the
University.
You can download the guide here:
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/media/International-Students-Infomation-Guide-2020.2021-(3).pdf.
Isolating/Quarantine?
Many international students may have to isolate on arrival to Swansea for a period, starting
with your 14-day quarantine when you arrive in the country.
While it may be hard to not have any physical interactions for a while, make sure to take
this time and stay in contact with anyone you are comfortable speaking to, this may be
friends or family. Make sure to let them know how you are feeling.

Swansea University’s Welfare@CampusLife service have developed a
dedicated Facebook page for students in quarantine/self-isolation called ‘The Space’
(https://www.facebook.com/groups/344497426961770).
‘The Space’ has been set up for Swansea University students who are required to physically
separate from others on arrival in the country, due to Covid19. We are your online community
for support, friendship, and shared activities which we hope will make everyone feel a
little more connected during these unusual times.
We will be sharing a daily programme of online activities for everyone to join in as they
wish. Remember this is your space to use in the way which best supports you so please do
not feel pressure to participate in everything (unless you want to!).
Here are the types of posts and activities you can expect to see:
A Space to Meet – morning meet ups* OR posts to help you get to know each
other
A Space to Grow – sharing posts and activities that make you think.
A Space to Move – time to get active and get your body moving.
A Space to Care – sharing prompts, ideas and activities for self-care
*Morning Meetups: These will be a chance to have a chat with each other over Zoom and
will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10am.
Swansea University have also created the ‘MyUniSupport’ team for students
self-isolating/quarantining. The team will be in regular email contact with you, every
weekday. Checking in to see you are ok and if there is anything, we can support you with
which includes assistance with accessing food and other services. You can contact:
MyUniSupport@swansea.ac.uk.
The Students Union also provides a great Advice and Support Service
(https://www.swansea-union.co.uk/support/advicesupportcentre) and there is always a
friendly advisor on there to offer their support for a wide range of issues that students
encounter.
If you’re looking for someone to speak to in private,
Swansea University’s Faith@CampusLife team offer a listening service
(https://www.swansea.ac.uk/campuslife/faithcampuslife/the-listening-service)
There does not have to be any particular issue or problem, sometimes it is just good to talk.

The government guidelines on Covid-19 restrictions are always being updated, for the latest
updates take a look at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
For guidance and checklists on how higher education institutions should cater to
self-isolating students arriving to the UK, take a look at
https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/policy-and-analysis/reports/Documents/2020/self-iso
lation-guidance.pdf
Self Care
Something else you can do to maintain good Mental Health is having a routine. Time can
get away from you in isolation but try to have regular sleeping patterns, mealtimes etc.
Include where possible some physical activity (see options below).
Self-Care during Self-Isolation/Quarantine
Whilst you are unable to leave your residence during any self-isolation/quarantine period
the Student’s Union and Swansea University have a range of online options available
including Try have some type of physical activity, this could be through singing, yoga,
dancing etc, as long as it’s within your quarantine space.
If you’re looking for more, please make sure to check in to our Well-being Wednesdays! This
will be a partnership between our Wellbeing Champions and our Students’ Union.
Self-Care after Self-Isolation/Quarantine
If you are looking for options when you have completed the self-isolation/quarantine period,
please make sure to check in to your Students’ Union website to keep up to date with any
socially distanced events or campaigns we may be running. Also take this time to finally
take a walk
You can find out more on our social media channels
@SWANSEAUNISU

The UK and Mental Health
Many international students feel a need to not express any issues they may have due to
social conformities back home. The UK, however, has created a space in which any mental
health problems are treated with the highest importance, this is reflected in Swansea
University as well.
With that being said here are some myths that may arise when you’re considering seeking
mental health assistance:
‘I’m too embarrassed, I’ve never had a mental health problem
before’ ‘we don’t speak about this in my home country’
It is important to understand how common it is to encounter these problems. A study done
by YouGov has shown that One in Four students will experience a mental health problem
while in university. There’s no harm in identifying this and seeking help or resources.
‘I don’t want any of my friends or family to know’
Swansea University services will always keep your information confidential (unless there is a
risk of harm to you or others), as such it will never be relayed back to your family, friends or
even show up on your university record.
Here is some useful contact information and possible scenarios where you may need to
contact them:
Your Student Union Officers:
The Students’ Union
Comfort Obaje
International Part Time Officer
internationalofficer@swansea-union.co.uk
Liza Leibowitz
Welfare Full Time Officer
liza.leibowitz@swansea-union.co.uk
Your Union Officers are here to help you with any queries you may have being a student in
Swansea University. Being a student automatically makes you a member of the Students’
Union. We are here to better enhance your student experience.
Our Officers will run a wide range of campaigns throughout the year, some of which are
specified to aiding and increasing mental health awareness.

Looking for Faith/Cultural Services?
It can be hard grasping how to maintain your faith practices after moving to a new
country. Swansea University offers a Multi-Faith Chaplaincy run by the Faith@CampusLife
Service. You can find more information here:
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/campuslife/faithcampuslife
We as the Student’s Union also offer multiple Faith/Cultural Societies, for information on
what society you’d like to join take a look at
https://www.swansea-union.co.uk/activities/
For information on how to join these services, feel free to contact:
georgia-rose.gleeson@swansea-union.co.uk.
GENERAL SUPPORT
Finances
We have a dedicated Money Advice service who are here to provide information, advice
and guidance on student money-related issues. Money@CampusLife offer live chat
services and can be contacted by email. For more information please see here:
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/money-campuslife/live-chat/.
International@CampusLife
Any queries you have about being an international student in the UK you can reach out to
International@CampusLife Service. International@CampusLife offer live chat services
and can be contacted by email. For more information please see here:
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/international-campuslife/icl-live/.

Advice and Support Centre
If you need any advice or support for various issues including money worries, academic
troubles, and housing problems. Additionally, advice on legal issues and support you with
personal matters.
Email: advice@swansea-union.co.uk
Phone: 01792 295 821
Wellbeing Services
This service is especially for students with a mental health diagnosis or disability. You can
find more on how they offer support at: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/wellbeing
You can also email the team at: wellbeing@swansea.ac.uk.
Welfare@CampusLife
Welfare@CampusLife provide practical advice and guidance to students and additionally,
staff supporting students. If you would like advice and guidance on a particular welfare
issue you can contact your College Information Team or contact
welfare.campuslife@swansea.ac.uk.
We work closely with staff in colleges, other support services within the university and
external partners such as the Police and Public Health Wales to ensure that students
receive the best support when they are experiencing welfare issues whilst studying.
We also offer online advice and guidance for students. Check out our pages!
MyUni Hub
The MyUniHub team are here to help you access a wide range of University support
services and to help you resolve any queries you may have. FO more information on how
to access MyUni Hub Services see here: https://myuni.swansea.ac.uk/myunihub/.