Student Advice

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Student Advice Counselling Service
Improving health worldwide
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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Who we are

• Emma Nabavian
• Head of Student Advice Counselling / Student
  Counsellor
• Frankie Edwards
• Student Adviser

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Advice

• UK immigration your immigration status,
  extending your visa, bringing family to the UK,
  visas for Europe, options after your studies
• Accommodation queries searching for
  accommodation, signposting to resources and other
  sources of support
• Financial concerns budgeting advice, short-term
  loans, LSHTM Hardship Fund (international
  students) and government funds (home students)
• Orientation queries opening a bank account,
  registering with a doctor, council tax, finding
  childcare, transport in London
• Any other day-to-day welfare matters
• Disability Support at LSHTM

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What is a disability?

• Under UK law, a person has a disability if
• they have a physical or mental impairment
• the impairment has a substantial and long-term
  adverse effect on their ability to perform
  day-to-day activities
• long-term has lasted or is likely to last for
  at least 12 months
• day-to-day activities includes studying
• Definition is from the Equality Act 2010

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Examples of a disability
Physical or sensory impairments such as visual
impairment, restricted mobility. Mental health
difficulties such as bipolar disorder, anxiety,
depression. Specific learning difficulties such
as dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD. Health conditions
such as HIV, epilepsy, arthritis and cancer.
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Support at the School

• Examples of adjustments at the school may
  include
• Assessment adjustments (e.g. extra time, rest
  breaks)
• Loan of specialist equipment
• Specialist software
• Library support (e.g. extended loan periods)
• Assessments for Dyslexia and other Specific
  Learning Difficulties (SpLDs)
• One-to-one specialist support (e.g. study skills,
  mentoring)
• Individual support as necessary

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How do I arrange support?

• If you need adjustments, you should contact me to
  arrange an appointment
• You will need to provide written evidence e.g.
  Educational Psychologists report, medical
  evidence
• We will create a Learning Support Agreement to
  ensure appropriate support or adjustments are put
  in place for the duration of your course

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Counselling

• What is it?
• An opportunity to discuss concerns with a trained
  and impartial listener about
• Mental health conditions (bipolar, depression,
  anxiety etc)
• Bereavement, relationship problems, difficulties
  related to transitions, perfectionism,
  procrastination, self-esteem etc
• Feeling down or anxious for no apparent reason
• Past events which are affecting you now
• Getting into patterns which make your life harder
  than it needs to be
• Recent or long-standing issues

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Counselling

• What sort of things do people say?
• Things like
• I feel everyone here is smarter than me, I
  shouldnt be here
• Ive been feeling really down recently but I am
  not sure why
• There are some things from the past I probably
  need to talk about
• I am not sure I really want to do this course
  after all
• Ive just broken up with my partner (or I want to
  break up with my partner)
• I feel really homesick, I just want to go back
  home

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Counselling

• Answers to some common questions
• Your concerns do not need to be related to
  studying
• No information goes on your main student record
• Everything discussed is confidential (unless
  serious risk of harm)
• You may use the service whether or not you have a
  diagnosed mental health condition
• The service is available to all students based at
  the School

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Counselling

• What can I expect?
• Space to talk about yourself freely (and in
  confidence)
• To be listened to respectfully
• To gain insight into why you feel the way you do
• To identify thoughts and behaviours which may not
  be helpful
• To get a different perspective on your situation
• To develop a more constructive approach

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Counselling

• How to make contact
• E-mail to set up a time for an initial
  appointment
• We can talk about whatever difficulties you are
  having and think about what the next steps might
  be, including
• Occasional check-in sessions
• Weekly sessions (usually up to 6)
• Other support

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Other sources of support

• Fellow students, friends family
• Your personal tutor or supervisor
• University of London Chaplaincy
• London Nightline (confidential anonymous
  student telephone helpline)
• Details on Student Advice Counselling Service
  intranet page

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Information for new students

• Topics include
• Healthcare in the UK
• Opening a UK bank account
• Travel in London including student oyster
• Former student presentations
• External organisations International Students
  House, Host UK, Student Central

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How to contact us

• E-mail us to arrange an appointment
• studentadvice_at_lshtm.ac.uk
• studentcounselling_at_lshtm.ac.uk
• Frankie also has a sign-up sheet on her door
• Offices located in the main Keppel Street
  building (near Globe Room)
• Our offices are private, confidential spaces
• All meetings are one-to-one
• Contact details also on intranet (via LSHTM
  homepage)

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• Enjoy your time at the School and dont
  hesitate to get in touch if you need to ask
  anything we are here to help!