Need urgent mental health help now?

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, has taken an overdose, has seriously harmed themselves, or may act on suicidal thoughts, call 999 or 112 now. Stay with the person if it is safe to do so.

• Lifeline Northern Ireland: 0808 808 8000 — free, confidential crisis support 24 hours a day, every day. Textphone: 18001 0808 808 8000.Visit Lifeline.
• Samaritans: 116 123 — free emotional support, 24 hours a day.Contact Samaritans.
• GP Out of Hours, South and East Belfast: 028 9079 6220.
• GP Out of Hours, North and West Belfast: 028 9074 4447.

During normal surgery hours, contact your own GP for an urgent mental health assessment. Belfast Trust advises people with urgent mental health concerns to use their GP in office hours or the appropriate GP Out of Hours service at evenings, weekends and public holidays.

Which Belfast student mental health service should I use?

Ulster University Belfast mental health and wellbeing support

Ulster University Student Wellbeing supports students with mental health, personal wellbeing, disability and additional study needs. Students can ask for an informal chat, attend a drop-in or arrange a one-to-one appointment in person, by telephone or by video call.

How Ulster University students can self-refer

• Online: registered students can use the Ulster University Student Wellbeing online enquiry form.
• Telephone: 028 9536 7000.
• Email: studentwellbeing@ulster.ac.uk.
• Visit or drop in: Belfast campus, room BC-02-101, Block BC, Level 2, 2–24 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AP.
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:45am to 5pm; Friday, 8:45am to 4pm.
• Information: visit Ulster University Student Wellbeing.

Ulster University student counselling — available 24/7

Ulster University works with Inspire Wellbeing to provide counselling support. Students can contact Lena by Inspire free on 0800 028 5510, 24 hours a day. Non-urgent email support is available at support@lenabyinspire.com; email is not monitored as a 24-hour crisis service.

Read the current Ulster University counselling information.

Belfast Trust mental health services for university students

The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust works with Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University to provide a specialist Student Mental Health Service. It links NHS mental health care with the support available through both universities.

This specialist service is intended for students with significant or emerging mental health difficulties who need secondary-care assessment or treatment and who have a Belfast term-time address. It may involve assessment by specialist mental health practitioners and, where clinically appropriate, psychiatric review, treatment or medication support.

How to access the Belfast Trust Student Mental Health Service

This is not normally a direct self-referral service. Ask your GP or your Queen’s or Ulster University Student Wellbeing team to assess your needs and make an appropriate referral. A student can therefore start the process by contacting their university wellbeing service directly or arranging a GP appointment.

For other new emergency, urgent or routine Belfast Trust adult mental health referrals, the Trust’s Referral Management service is the gateway for people aged 18 to 64 living in Belfast. Referrals are made by GPs or other mental health professionals and clinically triaged to the appropriate team. The service is based at Woodstock Lodge Mental Health Resource Centre; service information telephone: 028 9504 2920.

Belfast Trust primary mental health services can provide short-term help for mild to moderate problems such as anxiety and depression following professional assessment and referral. The Trust’s urgent Unscheduled Care Service operates 24 hours a day for adults aged 18 to 65 who are urgently referred by a GP or an Emergency Department.

• Belfast Trust Mental Health Referral Management
• Belfast Trust Primary Care mental health services
• Belfast Trust urgent mental health assessment information

How Kensington Medical Centre can support Belfast students

A GP can help when your mental health symptoms are new, persistent, worsening or affecting sleep, eating, relationships, attendance, study or day-to-day life. We can discuss your symptoms confidentially, consider physical health or medication factors, agree treatment and safety plans, and refer to Belfast Trust services when needed.

If you are already registered with Kensington Medical Centre, call 028 9032 5679 during opening hours or view our appointment information. Please say if the problem is urgent. Do not use an online form for a mental health crisis.

If you live within our Belfast practice area but are not yet registered locally, see our Belfast student GP guide and new patient registration information. International students are welcome to enquire about registration.

You may also find our wider Belfast mental health support directory helpful.

Frequently asked questions about student mental health support in Belfast

Can Belfast students self-refer for mental health support?

Yes. QUB and Ulster University students can directly contact their own Student Wellbeing and counselling services. Belfast Trust specialist services normally require referral from a GP or an authorised university wellbeing professional.

Do I need a diagnosis before contacting university wellbeing?

No. You can ask for help with a concern even if you do not have a diagnosis and are unsure what support you need. Contacting the team early can help prevent difficulties from becoming more severe.

Will my university be told what I discuss with my GP?

GP consultations are confidential. Information is not routinely shared with your university without your consent, unless there is a serious and immediate safety concern or another legal basis for sharing information. University services will explain their own confidentiality arrangements.

Can an international student use these services?

University wellbeing and student counselling services are available to eligible registered students, including international students. If you are living in Belfast, register with a local GP rather than waiting until you become unwell.

What if I am worried about another student?

If there is immediate danger call 999. You can also call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 for advice if you are worried about someone. For non-emergency concerns, encourage the student to contact their university wellbeing team or GP; you can contact the relevant wellbeing team for guidance too.