Mental health needs
Many students experience mental health difficulties at some point in their time at university. Whether you have a formally diagnosed psychiatric condition or other form of mental health difficulty such as anxiety or depression, we encourage you to contact the Disability Office.
- If you have a diagnosed condition you may be eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowance. Among other things, this may fund a mentor. A mentor will be a regular contact providing one-to-one support and encouragement. They will be able to help with planning and management of your studies. If you would like to find out more about mentoring support please contact the Disability Office.
What can the Disability Office do for you?
The Disability Office can:
- assist you in applying to Birkbeck, including arranging a pre-application visit
- assist you with enrolment and registration at Birkbeck and with making the most of the induction process
- assist you in applying to Student Finance England for the Disabled Students' Allowance. The Disabled Students' Allowance may pay for:
- a personal computer so you can study at home
- digital recorders for recording lectures
- specialist mentoring support from a Disability Mentor who can help you manage your condition and make the most of your studies
- allowances for books, photocopying, printing and internet costs
- refer you to our disability mentor, Caroline Finill, who provides academically focused learning support for students with mental health needs and chronic medical conditions. Caroline’s sessions ordinarily last one hour and are usually on a weekly or fortnightly basis depending on the individual students needs
- provide information, advice and training to your lecturers on supporting students with mental health needs
- liaise with lecturers to request copies of overhead projector transparencies (OHPs), Powerpoint presentations, handouts and lecture notes, where necessary
- liaise with tutors to arrange extensions on course work.
- advise you on what special examination arrangements (link) you may need and assist you in arranging these
- aim to involve you and all students and the Students’ Union in the development of policy and support services for students with disabilities.
