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self-help, silvercloud & reading for wellbeing

HELPFUL RESOURCES

In this section, you will find information about:

  • SilverCloud
  • Reading for Wellbeing
  • The Wee Free Library
  • The UWS Student Wellbeing booklet
  • Our very own Wellbeing Newsletter and Be Good to Yourself leaflet

SILVERCLOUD ONLINE PROGRAMMES

SilverCloud is a suite of online programmes on a wide range of self-help topics. All UWS students have free and confidential access - and you can use it for 2 years after graduation if you opt to keep your email address! It’s easy to use, with lots of interactive tools and activities.

Topics include:

  • Stress 
  • Anxiety 
  • Panic 
  • Social anxiety 
  • Health anxiety 
  • Depression 
  • Phobias 
  • Obsessional compulsive disorder 
  • Positive body image 

In each programme, activities typically include: Understanding Feelings, Facing your Fears, Spotting and Challenging Thoughts, and Managing Worry. 

Each programme has 6-7 modules, and it should take you around 40 minutes to complete a module. And it’s entirely up to you to decide how often to work on your chosen programme and how much you do each time you log on.

Access it anywhere - on your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Learn more and sign-up online: https://uws.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/ 

READING FOR WELLBEING - SPECIAL COLLECTION OF SELF-HELP BOOKS IN UWS LIBRARY

Reading self-help books is a great way to develop your understanding of life’s challenges, and to learn practical strategies for coping with the issues that are affecting you. We have therefore put together a comprehensive list of books that you can borrow from the UWS Library.

The booklist tells you which campus you can borrow a print copy from, and as usual, you can request to pick up a book from your preferred campus. The list also tells you which titles are available as electronic books. 

We have worked with the Library to set up a Leganto reading list of all the titles: https://uws-uk.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44PAI_INST/lists/14204285110003931?auth=LDAP              

The topics:

Our booklist includes titles on more than 20 self-help topics -

  • Abuse
  • Alcohol and drug use
  • Anger
  • Anti-racism
  • Assertiveness
  • Bereavement
  • Bullying
  • Chronic illness
  • Depression
  • Eating disorders & body image
  • LGBT+
  • Menopause, periods & PCOS
  • Mindfulness & compassion
  • Procrastination & perfectionism
  • Psychology & neuroscience
  • Relationships & loneliness
  • Resilience
  • Self-esteem & self-confidence
  • Self-harm & suicide
  • Sexuality
  • Sleep
  • Social anxiety
  • Stress & anxiety
  • Student life & study skills
  • Time management
  • Trauma

The benefits:

  • You are not alone – it can be reassuring to know that the issues you are facing have also been experienced by other people, and that they’ve found effective ways of dealing with their situation. Reading other people’s stories can reduce isolation, offer a new perspective, combat feelings like guilt or shame, and help you feel inspired and empowered to take action.
  • Self-awareness – self-help books often include questionnaires or other reflective activities to help you learn about yourself. These can help you reflect on whether any existing coping mechanisms are working, or whether to try out some new techniques or strategies.
  • Take action – self-help books contain a wealth of practical suggestions that have been tried and tested so you can be confident that the techniques and strategies do work. It can also be reassuring to learn that it’s best to start with small steps and that you’re not expected to turn your life around overnight!
  • Build a support network - learning about yourself and your situation can give you the right words and confidence to seek help, such as talking with your friends and family, your GP, a Counsellor, or your Personal Tutor or Lecturer. And if you feel that other people are supporting you, you are likely to feel better about yourself and more confident about making changes in your life.

READING FOR PLEASURE - THE WEE FREE LIBRARY

Did you know that on every campus there is also a Wee Free Library for all students and staff to use?  Brought to you by UWS Library, the Wee Free Libraries have a wide range of different books which can be taken to read and keep/pass on/return for someone else to enjoy. Each one is stocked with a wide range of books including fiction, autobiographies & cookbooks.

You can use the Wee Free Library without having to issue any items to your Library account.  Next time you are on campus, why not pop along to discover your next read!

Find out more here: Wee Free Libraries Guide 

UWS STUDENT WELLBEING BOOKLET

This booklet provides you with easily accessible information and advice to support you throughout your academic journey. Emotional health and academic success are interlinked, and we are committed to helping every student Dream, Believe and Achieve during their time at university and beyond. 

The booklet is divided into a Traffic light system of Green, Amber and Red:

  • The Green section contains information and ideas on aspects of student life that are important to manage to reduce unnecessary stress. Topics include: sleeping well, eating well, the benefits of exercise, overcoming procrastination, making connections, and finding a balance between studying and family life. There is also specific advice for international students.
  • The Amber section contains a toolbox of self-help techniques which are available for you to choose from. Think of it as a menu rather than a prescription. There are techniques to aid relaxation, or to ground yourself if feeling anxious, plus advice on self-care, being assertive, setting personal boundaries, and how to achieve a healthy relationship with technology.
  • The Red section provides key information on how to reduce the impact of self-harm, create a mental health safety plan, and where to access support in a mental health crisis. 

Use the tips within the booklet as and when you need them. Be prepared and give yourself the best chance of academic success at UWS.

THE STUDENT WELLBEING NEWSLETTER

The student wellbeing newsletter aims to support student experience at UWS by providing regular bitesize pieces of encouragement, suggestions and challenges in each edition. You can sign-up here:

Sign up for our Student Wellbeing newsletter

BE GOOD TO YOURSELF LEAFLET

Our brief Be Good to Yourself leaflet is packed full of handy tips for beating stress. There’s a simple breathing exercise, advice if you’re having problems sleeping, plus pointers for studying well and keeping life balanced.

You can access the leaflet here.

Last updated: 20/01/2023