A full guide to mental health support at different student accommodation types

Moving in with complete strangers can be exciting in your first year, but sometimes, clashing personalities and lifestyles can cause friction at home. Where you decide to live during the tenancy length can affect your overall wellbeing, in ways such as:

·       Who you live with

·       Location and proximity to campus and other amenities: This can be quite isolating if you live far away from the amenities, your university friends, and student elements  like the union and nightlife.

·       Size and property type

·       Modernity and facilities: Many campus accommodation buildings can be outdated, and do not offer as many facilities as you would like – it's crucial that you enjoy your space.

Student mental health is drastically influenced by the environment and relationships with peers. Students spend over half of their time in accommodation buildings, so it’s crucial that your home enhances your wellbeing instead of hindering it.

There are many benefits to choosing private student accommodation over other types of housing. This includes varied room types and choices, options to choose your flatmates, luxury rooms and features, modern facilities, strong student welfare services, and communal spaces.

For more information, read our full guide on the benefits of private student accommodation and the mental support services available here.

Though a milestone on the road to adulthood, moving to university comes with so many challenges, which can lead to certain mental health and wellbeing issues. This may include isolation, anxiety, and procrastination.

Here are some tips to help you improve your wellbeing and make the most out of your time at university:

·       Stay connected to loved ones

·       Get moving daily

·       Establish a daily routine

·       Eat a nutritious, balanced diet

·       Make sure to get some fresh air

·       Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Not knowing your housemates before moving to university can be exciting but on the flip side, differing personalities can cause friction. Conflicts at home or dissatisfaction with your student halls of residence can be extremely challenging to deal with, and sometimes, ending your tenancy isn’t an option in a fixed-term contract.

Consider moving into private student accommodation where you may have the options to  choose who you live with, your room type, and have more access to modern facilities.

Read more about advice to improve your student wellbeing at accommodation here.

Transitioning to university life can be challenging, and knowing you have a supportive living environment can help you feel at ease about the move.

Additional support from your accommodation provider is invaluable for students with physical health conditions or mental health diagnoses. Compare the different student accommodations below on their available mental health services:

·       University halls of residence: Freely available to all student tenants, including 24/7 accommodation security, student-only health services, and provide career advice workshops/wellbeing events.

·       Private student accommodation: This has various student benefits, including excellent amenities, security, comfort, privacy, and tailored wellness services.

Read more about the different mental health support services and university accommodation with our expert guide here.

Mansion Student has properties in many popular student locations, including Leeds, Durham, Coventry and Nottingham. Our services help make your university experience as positive as possible, which include:

·        On-site staff, security and CCTV

·       Wellness partners, social events, and communal activities

·        Excellent amenities, including social spaces, study rooms, cinema rooms, gyms, and lounging areas

·       First-aid and mental health-trained support teams

Check out our Durham student accommodation here.

We’re partnered with the mental health charities – Student Minds to help our tenants adjust to university life and to address any mental health issues that may

arise because of this.

For more information, contact the Mansion Student Team to ask about the mental health services at our different locations.

Having student mental health support in place for when you first move away from home is essential since so many of us struggle with the changes. Why not ask the following questions relating to support services when viewing student accommodation:

1.        Does the accommodation have on-site social spaces where you can interact with other residents, such as bars, games rooms, lounges, etc.?

2.        Does the accommodation have 24/7 on-site staff, security and/or hospitality staff to help you out if you need something?

3.        Is there free access to wellness facilities, such as gyms or fitness studios, to boost your overall health and wellbeing?

4.        Does the accommodation offer quiet spaces to study, so you don’t spend as much time in isolation?

5.        Are there mental health-trained personnel, on-site or remotely accessible, to support you in a time of need?

6.        Does your accommodation host social events or community-building activities?

Mansion Student aims to provide a welcoming environment for all residents, encouraging mindful practices, socialising and collaborative study. We offer a range of facilities and amenities at our properties, with on-site mental health first aid-trained hospitality team members at every location:

·       Leeds: secure fob entry, on-site maintenance and hospitality teams, common room, games rooms, outdoor area.

·       Nottingham: cinema room, common room, on-site maintenance and hospitality teams, electronic fob entry.

·       Coventry: common room, games room, study area, secure electronic fob entry, hospitality office.

·       Dundee: outdoor area, secure electronic fob entry, on-site maintenance and hospitality teams.

·       Durham: state-of-the-art fitness suite, sky lounge and rooftop terrace, dinner party rooms, on-site maintenance and hospitality teams. 

Contact Mansion Student for more assistance.

What types of wellness activities are commonly available?

Many accommodations host wellness activities, such as yoga sessions, mental health workshops, and social events, to promote physical and mental wellbeing. These events help students build connections, relieve stress, and maintain a balanced lifestyle.

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