Can I access King’s Mental Health & Wellbeing services after I leave King's?
Your access to King’s Counselling & Mental Health Service will end when you finish your course, which is the official course end date as stated on your student record. However, how this is managed will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
It’s a good idea to have a conversation about leaving with the person or people supporting you. They can help you create a plan and investigate other forms of support.
For information about our other support services, please read our article What support services do I have access to as a graduate?
Where can I go for support with my mental health after I leave?
NHS treatment
For many people, the first step to accessing support is talking to their GP. The types of support you can access will depend on your needs. They may prescribe medication and/or talking therapy. You can learn more about the help available at NHS Mental health services.
Important to know: Waiting lists for NHS talking therapies can be long. Currently, the NHS aims to see 75% of patients referred for mental health issues within six weeks, and 95% within 18 weeks.
Private treatment
Some people opt for private treatment, such as counselling or psychotherapy. The waiting times tend to be shorter than for NHS treatment.
There are many different types of therapy available in the UK. Make sure you research different people to ensure you find someone who’s the right fit for you and your situation. It's not unusual to change therapist if you don't feel they're quite right for you.
It’s also a good idea to check whether a prospective therapist is suitably qualified. The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) are the two main awarding bodies in the UK. Both list registered practitioners on their websites.
The website Psychology Today: Find Counselling Near You is a useful tool when searching for therapists by location.
Important to know: Private therapy can be expensive, with many therapists charging between £50-£100 per session or more. Make sure you discuss fees at the start of your therapy.
Other sources of support
Depending on your situation, you may also be able to get support from a range of other places. These might include:
- Peers, family and friends
- Charities
- Community support services
- Your workplace, through the Employee Assistance programme
- Online resources like CBT techniques provided by NHS Every Mind Matters and Student Space
For more information about your options, visit Mind: Seeking help for a mental health problem.
What are my rights if I disclose a mental health condition to my employer?
Your rights in the workplace will depend on whether your mental health condition classifies as a disability. The Equality Act 2010 says that you have a disability if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial, adverse and long-term effect on your normal daily activities.
If you have a disability, your employer is required to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your needs.
To learn more about your rights in the workplace, check out these webpages:
What should I do if I'm in a crisis or need urgent help?
If you feel unable to keep yourself safe and are in immediate danger of harming yourself go to the nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department, or call 999 if you can't get to the hospital yourself.
If you need urgent mental health support:
Contact your GP surgery to request an emergency appointment
If your GP surgery is not open, call the free NHS medical line on 111 for help accessing the right services, but again be aware they are at capacity at present so only call in crisis
You can call the Samaritans on 116 123 to talk to someone at any time, day or night, 24/7
You can text Shout on 85258
You can download Stay Alive app, an app for those at risk of suicide and those worried about someone
If you are in London, can contact the Listening Place for face to face support