2013 Edition
Health & Wellbeing
Mental Health Promoting Mental Wellbeing Mental wellbeing is a general state of good mental health. Like regular exercise and good nutrition, promoting mental wellbeing is an important part of keeping healthy. Make sure you take steps to look after yourself, talk about how you are feeling and look out for ‘welfare’, ‘chill-out’ and ‘relaxation’ events throughout the year. Mind, the mental health charity, produces advice on “How to improve and maintain you mental wellbeing” which is well worth a read.
Finding Information A great step to looking after your mental health is to learn more about the issues and address your own misconceptions. Mind publishes a guide called ‘Understanding Mental Health Problems’ which can give important insights into different mental health conditions. You can also get information from the Student Advice Service or the University Counselling Service.
Accessing Support If you do experience a mental health problem, you don’t need to be afraid to access help. Health services within the city are very used to seeing students with a broad range of mental health issues and there are many alternative forms of support. If you think you may be experiencing mental health problems, you could try talking to: • The Student Advice Service • Your GP • The University Counselling Service • Your tutor • College Welfare Officer • College nurse • College chaplain
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Sexual Health Despite what people might believe, many students will not have sex while they are at university. The choice about whether or not you want to have sex is yours to make but either way it is wise to have information about sexual health so that you can make properly informed decisions and support friends who do choose to have sex. You can get free, confidential advice on a range of sexual health issues (STIs, pregnancy, contraception, abortion) from your college nurse, GP, a sexual health clinic such as The Laurels on Newmarket Road or the Student Advice Service.
C-Card The c-card scheme allows students access to FREE condoms and sexual health advice. If you decide to join the scheme you will be given a C-card. This will not have your name or any personal details on it. Once you have a C-card you will be able to get condoms by showing your card at any of a number of “pick up points” around Cambridge. These are mainly the big pharmacies in town, college nurses and college Sexual Health Teams. You need to show your card every time you want to get condoms. If you don’t have your card with you, if you have lost it or if it is full, you will not be able to get any condoms at that time. You can re-register at any time for a new card.
Sexual Health Supplies CUSU provides a range of other sexual health supplies which can be purchased by individuals or bought in bulk by JCRs and MCRs. CUSU can provide latex, latex-free or vegan condoms; femidoms; latex and latex-free dental dams and lubricant. Pregnancy tests are available for free from CUSU reception. Remember that it is worth checking with your JCR or MCR to see what supplies they can offer to you free as part of their sexual health support.