Wellbeing

Take a step back from your work and think about how you’re feeling.

Are you under-slept, underfed? If so, take a break to fix these things first; you might find the work much more manageable afterwards.

If you’re still struggling, then a study advisor can talk to you about how you’re approaching your work and managing your time.

It can also be a great idea to talk to your tutor(s) about difficulties with work; they are invested in your academic development. You’re very welcome to take a friend or peer supporter to that meeting if you like; or, if you’re struggling to talk to your tutor(s), you can arrange to meet the Tutor for Undergraduates. The University Counselling Service run a 'Can’t Work' workshop which they’ve also recorded as a podcast 

This is a totally normal part of being at University.

Talk to somebody on your staircase - they are probably going through the same thing! Because we know how Oxford can be lonely sometimes, and transition is difficult for everyone, there are lots of casual, easy-to-access drinks and teas organised by JCR and MCR Welfare reps - look out for their emails!

Sometimes, things can build up. If you start to feel isolated and stuck, make an appointment to talk to Lizzie or Nicola, our Wellbeing Advisors.  The University Counselling Service website has useful podcasts for Freshers and International Students.

At Trinity, we strive to create an environment which supports mental wellbeing.

Mental health, like physical health, varies over time and can be nurtured and developed.

The Peer Supporters are a team of trained students who are great to turn to if it feels like self-care isn’t helping any more. Between them, they will have experienced most mental health challenges.

Sometimes, you might not feel comfortable talking to another student; in that case, Trinity’s Wellbeing Advisors (Lizzie and Nicola) will be very happy to talk confidentially with you about whatever you’re going through.

There’s also a University Counselling Service with forty years’ expertise in supporting students to understand their problems and make positive changes. They produce clinically validated podcasts to help you deal with all sorts of issues, including trouble sleeping, trouble with work and perfectionism, and mindfulness/self-compassion.

(Of course, this is all auxiliary support; if you do have a mental health diagnosis, please stay in touch with an appropriate medical professional. You may also be eligible for support from the Disability Advisory Service)

If you are in a dangerous situation: in College, call the Lodge 79900; out of College, call an ambulance [999] or go to the Accident and Emergency Department at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Not everyone who thinks about suicide or self-harm is necessarily at risk; but the thoughts themselves can be very distressing so it is worth seeking help as soon as possible.

Our Wellbeing Advisors have experience supporting students in this position and can help you to stay safe and access appropriate support. The same is true for the college nurse and college doctors.

If you are worried about somebody else, the Students Against Depression website has produced a guide for how to be helpful while also looking after yourself. You can also, talk with the wellbeing advisors on a no names basis – we are here to help, so reach out and don’t be sworn to secrecy…

Oxford can be expensive. It's ok if money stuff hasn't gone according to plan - there's help here if you need it.

One way to feel more in control of your financial situation is to document what's been going on. Use a spreadsheet or budgeting app to record precisely where your money has been going (you can find out from your bank statements or card records). If you're struggling to do this, then Trinity’s Wellbeing Advisors will be happy to help you, without judgement.

Once you have a clearer picture of where money has been going, it's easier to make a realistic plan to take control of your finances.

If you're facing financial difficulties that you could not have predicted before you started your course - and you've already taken out all the student finance support you're entitled to - then you can apply for college and university hardship support. You'll need to budget, as described above, projecting the 'gap' between your income and your essential costs for the rest of the academic year, and then submit that plan along with evidence of your change in circumstances and any financial obligations.

If you have an urgent financial need, you can talk it through our Wellbeing Advisors  (Lizzie or Nicola) - we don't want financial worries to get in the way of your studies.

You are not alone.

It is possible to overcome eating disorders and distress around food. 

Trinity’s Wellbeing Advisors have confidentially supported many students with difficulties around eating and won’t push you to change unless you’re ready to.

Outside college: Oxford Student Minds run a peer support group, and there are recovery guides and telephone support at www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

If you’re able to, gently raise your concern and see if your friend agrees that there is a problem.

They may be very aware and already working on the issue and have suggestions for how you can help. They may be in denial, or you might be mistaken; so, do remember, you can’t make someone seek help if they aren’t ready.

If you don’t feel able to talk to them, or they seem reluctant to talk to you, then you can still be supportive. If you’re worried about someone’s drinking or drug use, then you could suggest or host an event which just happens to be alcohol-free. If you’re worried about someone’s eating, then avoid ‘diet talk’ around them and try to offer low-pressure opportunities to eat together, such as going to refectory.

If you are convinced that your friend has a serious problem, but you realise that you have reached your capacity to offer useful help, you can tell your friend that you are going to have to talk to someone else. It’s best if you can give them a choice - we would suggest the Nurse, Wellbeing Advisors, or their tutor are good options. None of these people can force your friend to get help either; but sometimes it’s important to remember that you can’t be solely responsible for your friend’s welfare.

Student Minds produce a great guide on looking after your friends.

If you’re in a dangerous situation: in college, call the Lodge79900; out of College, call the Police [999].

If you have experienced sexual assault or violence, whether recently or in the past, you can talk to any member of the college wellbeing team; you will be heard and supported confidentially and without judgement.

The central University’s Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service provides a safe space for you to be heard independent of your college or department, with advisors offering free support and advice to any current student who has been impacted by sexual harassment or violence. All specialist caseworkers at the service are trained to support you, non judgmentally and in confidence.There is a range of support available to help you explore your options and ensure you feel heard and supported whatever you decide to do. The priority of the Support Service is to protect your health, safety and wellbeing, and there is no one way to feel or respond to sexual harassment or violence.

Your options

If you have experienced sexual harassment or violence, your safety and health are paramount; you may need medical treatment, and you should know what options are available to support you, whether you want to take immediate action or not.

Emergencies

If you or someone else is in danger and need urgent help inside college, call the Lodge 79900; or outside the college call 999.

If the incident occurred less than 7 days ago, you have the option to attend a SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre).  SARC is a specialist centre for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted, which provides forensic services, medical support, help and information.  It’s essential to call ahead, which you can do yourself, or if you speak to a member of the welfare team, they can assist you in doing this. The SARC team will want as much information as possible in order to advise you. You don’t have to make a report to the police if you attend the SARC, you get to choose what happens next.

Reporting a crime to the police

To report a rape or sexual assault when you don’t require an emergency response, you can call 101 police non-emergency to report a crime.

Other forms of action you can take via the College or University are available to you; see the procedures in the Taking Action section below.

Medical Support

Your safety and health are paramount, and you may need medical treatment after an assault.

You may have sustained physical injuries that require medical attention; it is also possible that no force was used – this doesn’t mean it isn’t rape or sexual assault. You can go to your  GP or to Accident and Emergency for medical help with physical injury. You do not have to explain the cause of your injuries if you don’t wish to, though it may help the medical staff to treat you.

Following a sexual assault or rape, it is possible that you may have contracted a sexually transmitted infection. Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) Clinics can treat you in confidence and may not even share the information with your GP if you do not wish to share that information. 

Sexual Health Oxfordshire provide free sexual health screening (tests), treatment, contraception, and advice. There are clinics across Oxfordshire,  including in Oxford City.  If you are away from Oxford, you can still find a clinic near you anywhere in the UK. 

Specialist advice

Talking to a specialist organisation may help you to understand your options and will put in place support to help you feel safe and heard.

The University Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service provides free support and advice to any student who has been affected by sexual harassment or violence, domestic or relationship abuse or stalking. The Service offers both specialist advisors and the services of an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA), seconded from the local Rape Crisis centre. The team are specially trained in responding to incidents of sexual harassment and violence, and offer a response that is non-judgemental, pro-active, and non-directive that puts you in control of what happens next.

It supports students in all situations, whether the experiences of sexual harassment or violence happened in Oxford or elsewhere, and whether it was recent or in the past. You can contact an advisor at supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk and the service is open throughout the academic year.

Organisations offering support outside the University

There are a number of organisations with specialist experience supporting survivors of sexual harassment and violence you might choose to contact in addition to college and University provision:

Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre – Women

Oxford-based information and support for women dealing with the effects of sexual abuse, assault or violence 

Survivors UK

National organisation providing information and support to men dealing with the effects of sexual abuse, assault or violence 

Rape Crisis UK

National organisation providing information and support to women dealing with the effects of sexual abuse, assault or violence 

Sexual harassment and violence aboard

If the incident happened in another country and you are still there, you can contact the local British consulate or embassy for assistance, including medical and legal help.

The Rape Crisis Network Europe website has information about specialist support services available in European countries.

Links to international support can be found here. 

Types of abuse – child abuse, domestic abuse, FGM, Stalking, threats, trafficking

Sexual violence takes many forms and can be perpetrated by those closest to us. OSARCC has information on types of abuse, and support links for abuse that occurs in a range of circumstances.

Taking action in response to sexual harassment or violence

Sexual harassment and violence of any form is never acceptable, and all members of Trinity College have a responsibility to act against sexual violence.

The college has rules and procedures in place to support survivors of sexual harassment and violence and protect members of our community as best we can. To ensure the safety of all members of our community we encourage incidents to be reported so that we can take action to support the safety and wellbeing of any survivors and ensure any appropriate action is taken where they wish it.

The college’s top priority is to support those who have experienced sexual harassment or violence in any of its forms, and we treat reports of incidents very seriously. We encourage survivors to take advantage of any and all support offered by the College and University, including redress through disciplinary proceedings or reporting to the police. We also recognise that it is entirely up to those who have experienced sexual harassment and violence to choose for themselves what support to seek and what action (if any) to take.

Complaints against fellow students

You can raise concerns or report incidents directly to the Dean (dean@trinity.ox.ac.uk) without going through the university or college wellbeing support services. It is possible to have meetings with the Dean to explore options without formally raising a complaint or having an incident to report, and students are welcome to bring others to meetings to support them. The Dean can receive reports of incidents from third parties who are not directly affected by are concerned about what they have witnessed or simply have heard of. But the college will take the interests and wishes of any survivors as of primary importance.

Full details of the college code of conduct and disciplinary procedures are in the student handbook online. Various additional policies including the college harassment policy are on the college website policies page.

Colleges now have access to a list of independent investigators to support them in investigating cases of sexual violence and harassment; they also have available a list of trained and experienced disciplinary panel members who they can choose to employ when establishing disciplinary panels.

Complaints against students from other colleges

The Dean is employed by the college to handle complaints about the behaviour of Trinity students. Complaints about the behaviour of students in other colleges are handled by the University Proctors.

Complaints against staff members

If you have a complaint against a staff member, you can report it to the relevant person in college responsible for oversight of any complaints. The College President or Vice-President will have oversight of all cases against academics, while the Domestic Bursar will have oversight of all cases against college staff. Any student raising a complaint will be supported by the Wellbeing Advisors and if necessary the University Director of Student Welfare and Support’s office.

Harassment can be a confusing, distressing, and invalidating experience.

Even a single unwanted action or interaction can count as harassment under the College's Policy and Procedures on harassment; but many don’t wish to invoke that formal approach. (Though just in case there’s any chance you might want to do this, it’s useful to keep a written record of what’s happened.)

You don’t have to decide straight away. At any point, you can consult a harassment advisor (informally or formally), and they can help you work out what the process might look like, without committing you to anything. There are also tutors and student reps for liberation groups like race and LGBT+ who can help with any issues relating to targeted harassment.

Relationships at college can be very intense sometimes, because of how closely together we all live.

There may be times when you feel like you have nobody to talk to, and don’t know where to turn.

Peer supporters understand this and can be really helpful to talk to if social stuff gets difficult. You can talk to someone from a different subject or year group (or even college) who can empathise with what’s going on without being directly involved.

Grief and sadness are completely normal when you have lost someone.  It can be really helpful to talk to someone about it, and our Wellbeing Advisors are experienced in supporting people who are mourning loved ones

You can come to light a candle in the Chapel at any time as a way of remembering loved ones, an act that can be meaningful for people of any faith or none.

Trinity’s Wellbeing Advisors, Lizzie and Nicola, are comfortable talking about issues you may be having around gender and sexuality; and won’t make any judgements or lay any expectations on you. 

If your issues around gender or sexuality relate to how other people are treating you, you may wish to read the section about harassment.