University in September

[Oceleia]

Hi all,
I'm due to start a degree in Computer Science in Liverpool in September.
I've been diagnosed as severely depressed, but my doctor thinks it will be good for me to get away from my current life and start fresh. It's the only thing keeping me going at the moment and I can't wait.
I am wondering what support/benefits etc I am entitled to at university?
I have no idea what to expect in terms of help with my mental state.
I know it will be hard, I have been to university before, I trained to be a Adult Nurse for 2 years...but withdrew in January due to my depression and couldn't cope anymore.
However, I lived at home then, and refused to go get help.
Now I want the help.

Heather xox

[Tatty]

Hi,

Firstly well done on getting into uni... I know it's difficult to get onto courses with or without emotional and mental health issues.

It may well help you to move away... sometimes I wish I had moved away and gone to Cumbria uni but I have since changed course so that's not an option anymore. Home was literally just around the corner (I'm at Northumbria uni) so I wasn't going to be considered for halls. I went into a flatshare with two strangers and it made me miserable. I had to move back home after Christmas. I'd recommend quiet halls so you don't feel so isolated when your corridor is having loud parties every night. It'll give you the chance to mix with and befriend like-minded people.

Often Uni have their own student support service ranging from students who are homesick and struggling to settle, right to those on the more severe ends of the MH spectrum. I'm not sure how it works though. You might need a referral from your GP or personal tutor so perhaps get your GP to write a letter before you leave for uni and keep it safe. It'll come in handy for deadline extensions and mitigating circumstances/personal extenuating circumstances (forms you submit to alert examiners and similar panels of your personal circumstances that may have affected your work).

I'm sorry, I'm not making an awful lot of sense today but wanted to respond to your thread. I'll probably edit my reply later on when my head isn't so muddled.

Good luck x

[Mischief]

Hi Oceleia

Welcome to the forum Great to hear that you're going to tackle the new course!

Most universities (if not all in the UK) have a disability support service. For example here is a link to the one at John Moores University in Liverpool. http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/disability/

I'd encourage you to make contact with them as early as possible and see what support they offer. If you can get down to see them in person before the University years starts it will probably make your first few weeks at the University easier.

You might be eligible for the Disability Students Allowance. There is information about this here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabled...on/dg_10034898

I have used the Disability Support Services at my own university and have found them very good.

Please do let us know how it goes for you.