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USW Health Team

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Self Help Resources

If you're struggling with your health and physical wellbeing but you're not ready to make an appointment, or you want to be able support yourself while you wait for an appointment to become available, check out the resources below.

If you are in need of urgent help, click the red button in the header to access essential websites and helplines. If the matter is life threatening, call 999 immediately.  

The University of South Wales is not responsible for the content of any of external sites listed.

brook
Brook

For sexual health services and advice for young people.

friskywales
Frisky Wales

For information and advice on sexual health & relationships. Online resources only. 

nhs111
NHS 111

For urgent health advice and to access urgent primary care out of hours. Available 24/7. 

beat eating disorders
Beat

For support with managing eating disorders. Available 9am-12am Mon-Fri, 4pm-12am Sat-Sun.

Other Resources

Eating Disorders

  • Beat – A charity for people with eating disorders and their families.
  • Video – A documentary - 'Men Get Eating Disorders Too'. Through interviews, nine men share their inspiring story of bravery and resilience, sending a message of hope to all sufferers.

Exercise & Mental Health

Fatigue/ME

  • ME Association – Information on support group for adults and children affected by ME/CFS.
  • Action for ME – Action for ME is a UK charity campaigning to improve the lives of people with myalgic encephalopathy within the UK.

GP Registration

HIV & AIDS

  • Terrence Higgins Trust – Information on HIV and AIDS, safer sex, online booklets, and the national helpline from the leading HIV and AIDS charity.
  • The Well Project – Information and support for women living with HIV.

Insomnia

Moodjuice – A self help guide to learn more about sleep problems and how to cope with them.

International Students

Knowing which service you need

Primary Choice - for when you're not sure if you need to see a nurse, doctor or pharmacist

Meningitis

Meningitis Now- information on symptoms and how to get help

Relationships & Sexuality

  • Stonewall – Stonewall Cymru aims to achieve legal equality and social justice for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Wales.
  • Relate – Offers relationship counselling throughout the UK via the Internet, a telephone helpline and face-to-face meetings.
  • Mermaids have been helping gender-diverse kids, young people and their families since 1995
  • Galop is a charity that supports lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people affected by sexual and domestic violence. 

Self-Harm

  • The Amber Project - Provides help and support to young people (14-25) who have experience of self harm.
  • LifeSIGNS – A user-led voluntary organisation creating understanding about self-injury.
  • National Self-Harm Network Forum – A forum providing crisis support, information and resources, advice, discussions and distractions.

  • Self help distractions - A factsheet from the National Self Harm Network. 
  • Self injury Support – A national organisation that provides support for girls & women affected by self-injury or self-harm.
  • The Calm Zone: Self Harm – The Campaign Against Living Miserably is targeted at young men aged between 15-35. The campaign offers a helpline, information and advice.

Sexual Health

  • Brook - Provides sexual health services and advice for young people (up to 25).
  • Emergency Contraception – Morning After Pill - NHS information on emergency contraception and where to get it.
  • Forward - Offers advice and support to anyone affected by FGM ( Female Genital Mutilation), including anyone who fears they or another are at risk.
  • Marie Stopes - Offers advice about sex, relationships, pregnancy and contraception. 
  • NHS – Sexual Health Line - Confidential advice about sexual health, including information about local centres for Sexually Transmitted Infections. 
  • Porn Recovery UK - Information and support for anyone affected by pornography or cybersex
  • Sexual consent - Youtube video – why sexual consent is just like offering someone a cup of tea.

Substance Misuse

  • Barod – substance misuse service that provides free, confidential information, advice and support to anyone affected by substance use. This service is also available for concerned others who are worried about, or affected by, a loved one’s substance use. Barod operate a confidential live webchat service that is available 7-days a week via their website, that provides information and support.
  • SMART Recovery – A confidential mutual aid group that helps participants decide whether they have a problem, builds up their motivation to change and offers a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery. Barod facilitate SMART Recovery meetings within the Cwm Taf area. For more information please contact Barod Cwm Taf Service on 0300 333 0000.
  • Club Drug Clinic – A national service for people who have begun to experience problems with their use of recreational drugs.
  • dan247 – A free helpline for anyone in Wales wanting further information or help relating to drugs or alcohol.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous – Provides a range of information, advice and face to face sessions to help people cope with drink related problems.
  • Drinkaware – Information and tools to help you look more closely at your drinking.
  • Adult children – Information and support for those who grew up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional home.
  • Frank – Upfront advice and information for young people about drugs. Includes an A-Z of drugs, confidential helpline, and reports

Symptom Checker

Check your symptoms - the NHS symptom checker for if you are feeling unwell and aren't sure of the cause

Vaccinations

Vaccinations you should have before & while you're at University