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Wellbeing Service

Disability, dyslexia and mental health support

The University aims to provide an inclusive teaching and learning environment for all students, including individuals with Specific Learning Differences (SpLD) such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD, mental health conditions, sensory and mobility impairments and long term health conditions. If you think you have a condition that may affect your study, please do contact us for an appointment, or complete a referral form online by visiting our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.

We encourage applicants and students to share their disability or additional needs at the earliest opportunity, so that reasonable adjustments can be discussed and appropriate arrangements agreed. Our services include:

  • Confidential advice and guidance on course-related adjustments
  • Arrangements for assessments and for teaching and learning 
  • Dyslexia and SpLD screenings and diagnostic assessments
  • Autism screenings
  • Support and advice on seeking a diagnosis for a disability or mental health condition
  • Help with applications for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) to fund specialist support 
  • Needs assessments for DSA
  • Mentoring and tutoring support
  • Accommodation adjustments (in Halls)
  • Assistive technology room
  • Sensory room
  • Sunflower scheme

DSA provides additional support such as study skills tuition for students with SpLD, specialist mentoring for students with a mental health condition or autism, and assistive software and computer equipment. We have a team of specialist staff who provide DSA-funded study skills, mentoring and assistive technology training. Students who have applied to DSA are required to have a study needs assessment as part of their application, and we are able to offer this assessment on campus at the Student Services Centre or online. Please contact us so we can help you arrange your DSA Needs Assessment appointment. We are able to provide these sessions remotely online if necessary. 

We have a partnership with AccessAble who have carried out an extensive survey of St Mary's University to create a series of access guides, showing students and visitors their options for navigating buildings and routes around the campus according to various access requirements. Accessibility information and route plans can be found on our website.

Counselling 

Email: counselling@stmarys.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8240 4353

If life feels overwhelming and you are not sure where to turn, the Counselling Service is here to support you.Talking to a counsellor can help you to see things from a new perspective, manage feelings, and change repetitive and unhelpful patterns of behaviour. No matter what is causing you distress, the counselling service provides a confidential space to reflect on and understand why you're feeling the way you do, empowering you to find solutions and enhance your enjoyment in life. 

Our fully qualified counsellors are able to help with a range of issues; e.g., relationships, friendships, family issues, bereavement, anxiety, stress, depression, identity (sexual/gender), sleeplessness, loneliness, substance misuse, self-harm/suicidal thoughts, abuse (sexual/domestic/emotional), or issues around eating. No problem is too small.

To access counselling, please visit our webpages.

After an initial assessment, you will be offered up to four counselling sessions with either one of our in-house counsellors, with one of our counsellors from our partner organisation ProblemShared, or referred to a service that is more appropriate. 

Our service includes:

  • One-to-one counselling
  • Face to face, Telephone or video (zoom) counselling