STUDENTS at Stratford College were offered the chance to get any support needed during Mental Health Awareness Week.
Charities including Lifespace Trust, Escape Arts and the Samaritans all dropped in at the Alcester Road college to talk to students about how they can access help and support, as well as provide them with information on how to support themselves and their peers.
Blair Sweeney, the college’s mental health support worker, said: “We want to increase the students’ knowledge of local services and we know the need for support has increased, especially after Covid.”
George Bryan is a ‘listener’ with the Samaritans – a role which includes manning phone lines and providing outreach talks.
He said: “We are here to make students aware of the Samaritans so they know they have someone they can talk to, always. We are open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Now is an especially important time with exams coming up and students can feel under pressure.”
Rachel Key, CEO of Lifespace Trust, said the charity supported young people across Warwickshire.
“We want to let them know that there are lots of things they can do to improve how they feel; we can advise them on skills and techniques they can use to try and make the hard times not so hard.”
To find out more about the charities, follow them on Instagram @lifespacetrust, @escape_arts and @samaritanscharity
