Mental Health
University can be a stressful time, so it's important to take care of your mental health as much as your physical health. If you are concerned about the immediate wellbeing and welfare of either yourself or someone else, go to our Urgent Support webpage.
On this page, you'll find information about mental health and wellbeing support, as well as a feature on men's mental health for Men's Mental Health Awareness Month for November 2025. If you can't find the information you need on this page, get in touch with our Wellbeing team. They're here to help you make the most of student life by sharing ways to taking care of yourself and your wellbeing and providing information on how to look out for your peers.
Support for your mental health
If you need support with your mental health while studying or working at Salford, browse the information below. You'll find our Wellbeing and Counselling team's contact details, support available for colleagues, plus advice and services provided by external organisations.
Mental health support
Urgent support
If you are concerned about the immediate wellbeing and welfare of either yourself or someone else, you can find relevant support on our urgent support webpage. On the webpage, you will find guidance on topics including suicide, self-harm, concerns about your peers' welfare, and more.
Wellbeing and Counselling (support for students)
Our team of trained advisers and counsellors are here to help you thrive during your studies and in your life by sharing tips for taking care of yourself, teaching you ways to manage your wellbeing, and providing information on how to look out for your peers too.
Get in touch with the team:
- Book an appointment. We will contact you by phone to discuss your support needs and appointment options
- If you are unable to complete the form, contact wellbeing@salford.ac.uk or call +44 (0)161 295 5000
Safezone app
You can now access wellbeing support through the Safezone app. SafeZone is a free app that enables you to access emergency or urgent assistance on campus should you need it, first aid and report an emergency incident or concern, day or night.
The new Wellbeing feature currently allows you to access support options including the ability to call Samaritans. Future updates will allow you to call internal support services for students and colleagues directly from within the app.
SU Connectors
SU Connectors is the Students' Union's support service that offers you the chance to connect and grow in a welcoming and supportive environment. You'll meet with a small group weekly to build strong relationships and share experiences. Whether you're looking for new friends or need help settling into University life, this peer support group is for you.
Support for colleagues
If you're a member of staff at the University of Salford, we have a range of support options available to help you with your emotional, mental, and physical health to financial health and everything in between. We are committed to supporting colleagues and promoting open conversations about wellbeing to enable everyone to be at their best. Together, we will continue to build our community, develop our support, and create spaces for conversations around issues affecting our wellbeing.
External support
The following charities offer support services and resources to people struggling with their mental health in Salford and Manchester:
Find more mental health charities offering support and resources on Manchester City Council's website.
Work out what you need
If you're feeling lonely or isolated, start by thinking about what might help tackle these feelings. Would you like to meet new people? Or improve your existing relationships? It could help to take some time to consider what gives you meaning and purpose. A good place to start might be rediscovering old hobbies and experimenting with new ones.
Highlight the positives
When you're feeling lonely, it's easy to fall into negative thought patterns. When you find yourself doing this, actively think about the positives - they're there if you look for them! What’s working for you? What’s going well? How can you do more of this?
Make a plan
Now you've identified what you need, it's time to work out how you can get it by setting yourself some manageable actions.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Where can I start?
- Who and what do I need to make this happen?
- Where can I find support if I need it?
- What skills do I already have that I can use to move myself forwards?
Hold yourself accountable
Once you have a plan, it's important to hold yourself to it by asking yourself key questions:
- When will you do it?
- How will I make sure I stick to my plan?
To help you hold yourself accountable, you could set yourself smaller goals, make a schedule or reward yourself for each milestone.
Reach out for support
Our Wellbeing and Counselling team is here to help you if you need some extra support, whether you're looking for self-help resources to help you gain clarity, or to speak to one of our advisers who can listen and help you find the best solution for you.
Or you can receive support from SU Connectors. This support service offered by the Students' Union offers you the chance to build relationships and share experiences in a small group. Whether you're looking for new friends or need help settling into University life, this peer support group is for you.
November is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month
Men are less likely to reach out for support with their mental health and we want to change that. Join us for events in November to:
- Learn about support for men's mental health from University-based and external organisations
- Have a conversation with the men in your life about mental health
- Discuss your own mental health in a non-judgemental setting
You can also join our University Movember team to help raise awareness and funds about men's mental health.
Men are more likely to hide their mental health struggles for many reasons. The impact of unhelpful gender norms such as assumptions about what it means to be masculine, the discouragement of showing emotions and being told to "man up" can stop men reaching out for help. Marginalised groups in the UK such as black men, South Asian men, LGBTQIA+ men and men with disabilities can face additional stigma and cultural barriers stopping them seeking help for their mental health.
We want to help change the narrative about men's mental health. Reaching out for help with your mental health shows you are taking charge of your mental wellbeing, which is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Learning effective strategies to cope with mental health struggles will help you for life.
How you can help
Understand that many men have mental health struggles, regardless of how they may seem on the outside. Learn what contributes to men's mental health struggles: we recommend taking a look at Mental Health UK to start. Support the men in your life to talk about their feelings and to seek help if they are struggling with their mental health, listening without judgment. This page also includes lots of support services available at the University, so share this information with your uni friends.
You can also practice talking about your own feelings with your friends and make it something normal and come along to our events during November.
Man Enough to Cry: International Men's Day
Wednesday 19 November 2025, 11:00-14:00, Wellbeing Space, lower ground floor of University House
Join other students and staff members for activities such as darts, chess, a travelling library and chats with both internal and external support services.
External support services coming on the day include:
- Jamie Horrocks Trust – raise funds for community-based projects that reduce the risks of, and support those affected by, mental fitness and suicide, bringing about positive changes for all:
- Kooth – online support for young people, which is free, safe and anonymous
- Directions for Men – empowers men to talk about their mental health through group support
- Jak’s World – a suicide prevention charity
- Greater Manchester Bereavement Service – finds support for anyone in Greater Manchester who has been bereaved or affected by a death
University support services coming on the day include our Wellbeing service, the University of Salford Students’ Union, Student Progression Advisors and USMEN (men’s network for staff members).
Join our Movember team
Join other University students and staff in their efforts to raise awareness about men's mental health by growing moustaches during November. Facial hair not your thing? Have a discussion with a moustachioed man about men's mental health this month or donate to the cause.
Free men's health sessions
11:15-12:00 on Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 November at the Sports Centre
- Join a small group session for men, with each session limited to 5 people
- You'll have 1-to-1 monitoring in a learn-to-lift session, amended to your fitness level with individual advice on how intense you should be working
- Sessions will be followed by a quick chat and information session about the mental health benefits of regular physical exercise
Head to a student session
Gaming in the SEE Building Atrium: Wednesday 19 November, 12:30-14:30
Take some time out with our gaming consoles, pool, air hockey, table tennis and board games. Chat with other students and supportive staff members - no booking needed.
Spill the Tea in New Adelphi Atrium: Wednesday 19 November, 11:00-13:00
Pop by for a free cuppa or brew and a snack and play a game if you feel like it. Chat with other students and supportive staff members - no booking needed.
Learn about men's mental health
The Library will have displays on all Library sites, including Clifford Whitworth, Allerton Learning Space and MediaCity Library. The displays include books on men’s physical and mental health as well as additional resources to help.