See other pages in this section

Counselling and Mental Health Support

Mental health emergency

If you need immediate mental health support or someone to speak to urgently, or if you feel you may be at risk of serious harm, you can:

  • Dial 999 or go directly to John Radcliffe Hospital’s A&E (Headley Way, Headington, OX3 9DU). Open 24/7. Contact: 0300 304 7777 or find your nearest A&E.
  • Contact NHS to get urgent help for mental health — Dial 111 and select option 2
  • Contact Oxford University Security Services — 01865 289 999. Open 24/7.
  • Call Nightline (01865 270270) (term time only) or the Samaritans (tel. 116 123 or email jo@​samaritans.​org)

A number of Balliol staff (including some of the welfare team) are Mental Health First Aid trained. This means that they can provide initial support for people experiencing signs or symptoms of mental health issues, until the required external emergency service arrives.

Student Counsellor

Steph provides a confidential space in which to listen to students’ emotional concerns and issues. She is a registered counselling psychologist with over ten years’ experience, working with people from diverse backgrounds with a range of mental health and emotional difficulties. On days when she is not working at Balliol, she works at the University Counselling Service. Steph is available at Balliol by appointment on Thursdays, 9.00–5.00pm, from 0th–9th week.

Oxford University Counselling Service

Any member of Balliol can access the Oxford University Counselling Service. For an appointment, please contact: counselling@​admin.​ox.​ac.​uk or call 01865 270300.

The Counselling Service offers confidential support; however, it is not an emergency service. It also provides supportive online self-help resources, for example, on performing academically, advice for Freshers, on anxiety, and perfectionism, along with details of educational groups and workshops.

Oxford University Disability Support

The University’s Disability Advisory Service (DAS) is made up of a team of specialist advisors who provide information and advice on disability issues, and facilitate access to study for all students. For each college there are two dedicated advisors within the DAS – one for students with mental health disabilities, and one for students with other disabilities such as SpLD, ADHD or a physical health condition. Either contact DAS direct to speak to a specialist advisor or speak to the College’s Disability Coordinator, Fiona Chippendale.

External services

Supportive online resources