A brief guide to support for students with mental health difficulties...

Typical difficulties at University might include:-

• Making friends and getting on with peers
• Dealing with unexpected / unpredictable situations
• Motivation / prioritising tasks / time management / meeting deadlines
• Dealing with unstructured/personal study time, breaks/lunchtimes

Appropriate Reasonable Adjustments might include

• Identify key/contact staff member
• Identify Quiet Room and "Safe Areas"
• Rehearse action in response to range of scenarios/situations
• Flexibility around submission/hand-in deadlines
• Modifications to examination arrangements
• Prioritise University accommodation

Support/resources available via Access SUMMIT might include:-

• Assessment of Needs undertaken by assessor experienced in mental health difficulties
• Support Package including:-
  • Personal Computer with assistive software and course related software;
  • Support Mentor to assist with motivation, prioritising, time management and organising.
  • Training to make sure you make best use of the equipment you have;
  • Ongoing Assistive Technology Support to make sure your equipment continues to give you the support you need throughout your course.

Getting the Support you need

• Support packages are individually tailored and so the first step in making sure you get what you need will be to contact an adviser at your University's Disability Support Service; see the contact details for the Greater Manchester Universities Disability Support Services here.

Funding the support you need:-

• Most UK students will qualify for funding via The Disabled Students Allowances - see our brief guide to funding and www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_10034898 for more information about the Disabled Students Allowances.