World Mental Health Day 2026

Looking after your mental health at university

Vaibhavi Mande, one of our Student Content Creators, shares their top tips for looking after your mental health at university for World Mental Health Day...

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Starting university can be exciting. There are new people to meet, new places to explore and so many opportunities to make the most of it. But alongside all of that, university can also bring with it moments of uncertainty, loneliness, and feeling like you’re supposed to have everything figured out.

Hi, I’m Vaibhavi Mande, and I’m currently studying Msc in Global Healthcare Management (Leadership) at University College London. I’m also living in one of the intercollegiate halls managed by the University of London.

Moving to a new environment and starting a new chapter has made me realise that looking after your mental health is about the small things we do to support ourselves along the way.

Today is World Mental Health day and it feels like a good time to pause and think about how we as students look after our wellbeing. I’d like to share a few things that have helped me look after my wellbeing during my time at university.

   1.    Have a basic routine.

University life can sometimes mean that every day looks different. Having some basic structure can give you a sense of stability.

This doesn’t mean planning every hour of your day. Try having a few things that stay consistent such as getting up around the same time, having regular meals, setting aside time to study and giving yourself time to wind down.

Find a routine that works for you.

  2.    Make time for movement.

Try to get some movement into your day in a way that you enjoy. It could be going for a walk in a nearby park or around the campus, doing yoga or joining a sports activity.

For me, 15-20 minutes of yoga helps me pause and rest especially when everything feels a little overwhelming.

Find something that feels manageable and enjoyable for you.

 3.    Stay connected with home

When you’re living away from home, it’s easy to get caught up in university life and go days without properly speaking to the people you care about.

One thing that can help is setting aside a fixed time to call your family or someone close to you. In this way, you have something familiar to look forward to and remind you that you haven’t left your support system behind.

   4.    Step outside your academic bubble

University is not just about what you learn academically, but also about who you become along the way. Try attending events, workshops or society activities that have nothing to do with your field of study. For example, THRIVE brings students together through workshops, crafting, taster sessions and other wellbeing activities.

You can also explore Life at UCL to discover more opportunities to get involved in university life if you are a UCL student, or your federation member's equivalent if you study elsewhere. You can contact your federation member for more information.

You might discover new interests, make new friends and give yourself a break from thinking about assignments and deadlines.

Not everything you gain from university will appear on your transcript.

  5.    Know when to reach out

Finally, remember that looking after your mental health doesn’t mean doing everything on your own. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, lonely or not quite yourself, talk to someone. It could be your flatmates, personal tutor or one of the wellbeing services available at your university.

 Where can you find support?

If you live in Student Halls, your Hall Resident Advisors (RAs) or Wardens can be a good first point of contact. They can listen, offer guidance and help you find the right support. Hall Management is available at reception during office hours or there is also a duty RA available outside regular hours.

You can also explore Hub of Hope to find charitable mental health support available in your area. And if you simply need someone to talk to, Samaritans is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 116 123, free from any phone.

For more information, you can explore UoL’s Support and Wellbeing resources and the wellbeing content available on CampusLife.

 If you are in immediate danger or there is a serious emergency, you can call 999 in the UK.

 A final thought

If you’re at university, you’ve already taken some big steps to get here. As you continue on this journey, make sure you look after yourself along the way. Your degree matters but so does your well-being.