Mental Health & Wellbeing
It’s completely normal for college life to feel overwhelming. Whether you're dealing with exam stress, personal struggles, or just feel like you're not coping, we want you to know: Your mental health matters, and you are not alone. We have a dedicated, non-judgemental team ready to support you with free, confidential counselling and specialist wellbeing help.
Practical Support & Wellbeing with Our Specialist Officers
Our Mental Health & Wellbeing Officers (MH&WO) and specialist staff offer practical, tailored support to help you cope with the day-to-day challenges of college life. We can work with you on practical strategies and finding ways of achieving your goals.
We can support you with:
- Stress, anxiety, and depression
- Daily living difficulties
- Signposting you to appropriate external support
Counselling
Counselling offers a safe, private space to talk confidentially about whatever is troubling you. It is a free service, and our counsellors are qualified and BACP registered, meaning they work to high professional and ethical standards.
What Counselling Can Help With:
- Stress, anxiety, and depression
- Pressures related to your course or exams
- Loss or bereavement
- Relationship or family problems
- Major life changes or just feeling like you’re not coping and not sure why
Talking in depth can help you sort out difficult thoughts and feelings, understand yourself better, and find your own solutions to problems.
Personal Development
We believe that your personal growth is just as important as your academic success. That’s why every student enrolled on a Study Programme is supported by a dedicated Pastoral Coach - someone who’s there to help you thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Your coach is more than just a tutor, they’re your mentor, guide and biggest supporter throughout your college journey.
With their support, you’ll develop the skills, resilience and self-belief to take charge of your future.
Find out more
Clubs, Activities & Making Friends
College is more than just studying, it’s about meeting new people, trying new things, and having fun along the way. Joining one of our student clubs or societies is a great way to make friends, build confidence, and support your wellbeing.
Our Students’ Union runs a range of activities throughout the year, from film clubs and charity events to fitness sessions and social activities. You can even start your own club if you have a great idea!
Free Healthy Breakfast
We know it’s hard to concentrate on an empty stomach! That’s why we offer a free healthy breakfast every day to all students during term time.
Start your morning right with toast or granola and yoghurt and tea or coffee, available at all of our campuses. Because good nutrition fuels your learning, energy, and wellbeing.
Financial Support
We understand that money worries can be stressful and may affect your wellbeing. If you’re finding it difficult to manage costs while studying, you’re not alone and there is help available.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get financial support with essentials such as equipment, uniforms, meals, or transport. Our Student Finance Team can talk you through the options and help you access any funding or bursaries you’re entitled to.
Talk Campus
In addition to this support students also have access to TalkCampus, an app where you can talk with other students from around the world if you’re struggling and worried about your mental health. Your student email address will give you free access, just download TalkCampus from the app store. It’s a place just for you, no staff, no fear of judgement, just instant ongoing support.
- Download TalkCampus for free from the app store or play store.
- Sign up using your student email address and verify your account.
- Start talking with a global student community
- Local Community Groups
Open Door
Designed by young people, for young people, Open Door delivers a range of award-winning services that improve the wellbeing and mental health of young people and adults, using innovation, arts, and culture as catalysts for change.
We provide free, fast and effective mental health support without waiting lists to young people and adults, while reimagining what mental health support looks, sounds, and feels like. Using lived experience to create evidence-based programmes in non-clinical settings, we create spaces people want to be in, with people they want to spend their time with.
Currently we offer Bazaar for those aged 14-35 dealing with low mood, anxiety and/or panic attacks, OOMOO for Children Looked After ages 11-18, Mysa for those 18+ living with disordered eating, and ZOOP for anyone aged 18+ on the waiting list for an autism assessment.
Young Minds
Providing young people with tools to look after their mental health. We empower adults to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. And we give young people the space to get their voices heard.
The website is full of advice and information to give young people the tools to look after their mental health. We empower parents and professionals to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. And we give young people the space and confidence to get their voices heard and change the world we live in. Together, we can create a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health.
Drop In
The Drop In is open Monday to Friday 2 - 6pm for children and young people aged 11 - 18 and up to 25 for people with SEND to access one to one support on any issues that may be affecting them. From family problems and bullying to worrying and anxiety our team offer comprehensive support aimed at helping young people move forward.
Accessing The Drop In is easy. No appointment is needed so just Drop In!
We are open Monday to Friday 2pm - 6pm in Pilgrim Street Youth Arts Centre in Birkenhead.
Our Address is Pilgrim Street Arts Centre, 1 Pilgrim Street, Birkenhead, CH415EH
You can also call us on 0808 196 4147
or email:
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The Tribe
The Quirky Community Hub has a passion to provide practical and emotional support for anyone who needs it, and we will do so with love and compassion, from our family to yours.
We want to make our lovely space warm and safe with lots of great activities and fun for all. We have lots to offer, with friendly faces, fabulous activities, no judgement and always someone to chat to. All are served with your favourite dish. So come along and join in with Quirky.
This group is for teens and young people who might find finding friends a little bit tricky.
This could be because of neurodiversity, bullying or confidence.
The group is a safe space that will develop into whatever the young people want it to be, but the overall aim is to build confidence self esteem and new friendships.
If you have any questions, please pop us a message. We will be happy to help.
Who is this aimed at?
This group is for teens and young people who may find making friends a little challenging.
When
- Saturdays - 10 noon to 2pm
- Mondays - 4pm to 5:30pm
Where
- 124e Market Street, Hoylake, Wirral CH47 3BW
How to get involved
- No need to book, please come along
Contact details
- Email:
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Comics Youth
If you are a young person aged 16-25 and have symptoms and/or experiences of anxiety/depression within the Merseyside area, then this is for you!
The project will provide you with LOADS of creative comic book and zine-based opportunities to experience the different benefits of comics and art to improve your overall wellness.
It can be incredibly hard being a young person- it can feel so lonely and difficult to navigate your feelings, especially when you may not be sure what those feelings are. But Turn the Page gives you the opportunity to be heard and listened to, as well as giving you the chance to get your story published and influence other young people to be just as brave as you are!
You can access eight 1-2-1 Comics based autobiographical narrative sessions (delivered over 6-8 weeks face-to-face or virtual via Microsoft Teams where you turn your life story into an ACTUAL story.
So, whether you prefer 1-2-1 support or would like to meet more young people like you, there is something for everybody.
Every Saturday 1:30pm-3:00pm
Are you 14-25 years old and looking for a way to make friends or connect with other creative people?
We have just the space for you!
Every Saturday, 1:30pm-3:00pm @ MAKE HAMILTON, 69-71 ARGYLE STREET, BIRKENHEAD, CH41 6LQ.
In a space where you can do anything you like, from; gaming on the Nintendo Switch, board games, crafts or just chatting with mates - all with free drinks and snacks provided by us! You can also bring your own creative projects and activities along too!
Each week we offer an optional main activity, which will be arts or gaming based, led by our staff. You can keep up to date with our activity schedule for the month by heading to our Instagram.
You can attend sessions as little or as often as you like, whether that be coming every week or once every now and then when you have some free time!
To join you must:
Fill in your Membership Form
Book your session slot
Any questions, just email
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- Local support
For immediate mental health crises support call NHS 111 option 2 or go to your nearest A&E department. If yourself or someone else is in immediate danger call 999
BeU Wirral – offers free therapeutic services for children and young people aged 5 – 18 (up to 25 for those with SEND) Includes guidance for parents and carers. They can be contacted direct and do not require a GP referral. www.beuwirral.co.uk
Branch – Branch is an online mental wellbeing hub for children and young people in Wirral, from 0 all the way to 18 (and up to 25 with additional needs). It doesn’t deliver services directly – it’s more of a guide, helping people to find the best tools and local support. You can self-refer online. Their website has support guides for parents. Home | Branch WirralCampeneros – is a crisis café for age 18+ at 2A Price street, Hamilton Square, CH41 6JN open 10am to 10pm 365 days to help access support and advice 0151 488 8135
EveryTurn – talking therapies , employment advisors, drop in sessions, you can refer direct through the website www.everyturn.org
The lighthouse Centre - is a safe, warm, and friendly space for women and children who have or are experiencing domestic abuse. They provide a range of services to support you. No appointment is necessary to drop into the Centre and all our services are free. 0151 644 4839 Our Services | Lighthouse Centre Wirral
Martin Gallier Project – support in preventing suicide in young people 16 + and one to one support for parents and carers. Self-referral via the website The Martin Gallier Project
The Paul Lavelle Foundation - Our male domestic abuse service is focused on recovery and is designed to provide a person-centred blend of Therapeutic, Advocacy, Advice and Link-Worker/Signposting support activities. Support line 0151 651 3777 Home - Paul Lavelle Foundation
RASA - Counselling and therapeutic support for survivors of sexual violence, including children, young people (ages 10–17), and adults. 0151 558 1801 RASA Merseyside | Here For Anyone Who Has Been Sexually Abused or Raped
Response – is a confidential service for young people aged 13 to 19 years old. We offer a wide range of support in relation to Young People who are struggling with substances, alcohol, or their mental health. 0151 666 4123 Response — zillowirral
Sahir LGBT+ Community – Offers practical advice, emotional support, community connection. They provide a welcoming, non-judgemental space where you can talk openly, feel heard, and access support without fear of stigma or discrimination. 0151 673 1972. https://www.sahir.org.uk/services/lgbtq-health-wellbeing/lgbtq-support/
Wirral Mind – Counselling and mental health support. For anyone struggling with their mental health 0151 512 2200 or www.wirralmind.org.uk
Mentoo - Men Too is a charity offering free support for men for a wide range of issues regarding men’s mental health and wellbeing. We are a community-based service provider that supports Men with complex needs who may be isolated, victimised, discriminated against, have low self-esteem, and lack hope. Phone 07415 094194 mentoomerseyside.org
Tomorrows women - a charity for women, run by women, offering support with a range of issues including domestic abuse, mental health, substance misuse, wellbeing & confidence, and social isolation. St Laurence’s Old School Site, Beckwith St East, Birkenhead, CH41 3JE, 0151 647 7907 www.tomorrowswomen.org.uk
Wirral Ways - Wirral Ways in Birkenhead offers free, confidential support for adults, young adults, families, and carers affected by drugs, alcohol or gambling.
Locations and Contact
- Birkenhead Hub (Market Street): 84 Market Street, Birkenhead, CH41 6HB
- Phone: 0151 556 1335
- Email:
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- Email:
- Opening Hours: Monday 9:00–17:00, Tuesday 9:00–20:00, Wednesday–Friday 9:00–17:00
- Nightingales Hub & Recovery Café: 88–90 Argyle Street, Birkenhead, CH41 6AG
- Useful Links and Support
For immediate mental health crises support call NHS 111 option 2 or go to your nearest A&E department. If yourself or someone else is in immediate danger call 999
Anxiety UK – Advice and support for people living with anxiety. 03444 775 774 anxietyuk.org.uk
b-eat – Supporting people affected by eating disorders. Providing step-by-step programmes. Adult helpline: 0808 801 0677 Youthline: 0808 801 0711 b-eat.co.uk
Carers UK – Independent information and support for carers. 0808 808 7777 carersuk.org
CALM – if you are struggling, feeling low or finding it hard to cope call 0800 58 58 58 5pm to midnight. www.thecalmzone.net
Child Bereavement Uk – provide bereavement support for children and young people. Helpline 0800 02 888 40 Winston's Wish - Bereavement Support for Children
FRANK – Confidential drugs advice and information. 0300 123 6600 talktofrank.com
Kooth: Online mental healthcare service which aims to provide mental health service to individuals under the age of 21. www.kooth.com
No Panic – Provides a helpline, step-by-step programmes, and support for people with anxiety disorders. Helpline 0300 772 9844 (10am–10pm) nopanic.org.uk
Papyrus – Provides information and support for anyone under 35 who is struggling with suicidal feelings, or anyone concerned about a young person who might be struggling. 0300 102 2470 Text HOPE to 88247 papyrus-uk.org
Samaritans – Emotional support for anyone feeling down, experiencing distress or struggling to cope. 24-hour helpline: Freephone: 116 123 samaritans.org
Sane – Offers emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental health problems. SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (4 pm–10 pm) www.sane.org.uk
Shout – 24/7 support for people in crisis, offers peer support through chat on their website. Text SHOUT to 85258 Shout: The UK's free, confidential, 24/7 mental health text service | Shout 85258
Student Minds – Mental health support for students. studentminds.org.uk
Time to Change – National campaign to end stigma and discrimination against people with mental health problems . Run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. 020 8215 2356 time-to-change.org.uk
Young Minds – Local Mind provides services such as talking therapies, peer support, and advocacy. Information and advice for young people, parents and carers. youngminds.org
Young Carers – for young carers under 18 who are looking after a friend or family member through illness, disability, mental health or addiction who cannot cope without their support. Phone 0808 80 23456 carersuk.org
TalkCampus – an app provided by the college for confidential peer support which students can access by logging in with their college email. 24/7 365 days www.talkcampus.com