Moving to uni with mental illness

I'm moving to England to go to uni, but I'm terrified really. I'm in care and have been diagnosed with a mental illness. I'm scared I won't cope and changing care teams will be hard and that I will just regress and feel lonely. Anyone else moved to a different country or far from home with a mental illness? And how do u know wat the mh services in an area are like?

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Reply 1

Kindred

Original post by YogaQueen

Haven't moved country to study or anything, but I have a bit of experience with moving to different types of support.
I'd contact the uni you're moving to before you get there and let them know you have mh issues. There will be a support centre of some sort there to help students with special needs and disabilities. They will also help with mh problems. They will be able to put in tonnes of support and talk you through applying for disabled students allowance (which I suggest you take a look at). You have a meeting to discuaa your needs and they can give you money, special computer programmes, a study support person and more depending on what you need.

Try to deal with as much as you can in advance. It will make it easier. To start with I suggest you focuas on getting the support in place and meeting new friends rather than immediately digging into studying.
Ther will be a freshers week designed to help you settle in and meet people. I suggest you take part in as much as possible and join some societies if you can.

I started uni this year and ended up leaving. I did not do the things I am suggesting you do and I wish I had. I ended up going into relapse and I was too stupid to ask for help when I needed it. Do not be affraid to be honest with uni. They are there to help you and can do quite a lot for you- more than you might think.

Good luck. Try to stay positive. It's a great oppertunity for you and I think you're really brave going to study in another country, even without the mh issues. :smile:

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Reply 2

Nathanielle

Original post by YogaQueen

It it really depends, also from what country you are from. The big problem can be, that you might be not entitled to the same amount of support as British students or UK residents (DSA), so that you will end up in the worst case without the support you need, because you aren't entitled to receive it, so I would really enquire what kind of support you need and wether this will be available (for you, not for British students). Furthermore you need to feel confident enough to talk in English and get along with the English culture.

It it is not impossible, but it requires a lot of thought. It can be better for you, but it can't be, too. And I suppose you need support from right the beginning there and just moving there and then start to search for support with all the other stuff, likes freshers, another country and the new course without a person you can turn to, might be too much.

Reply 3

redferry

Original post by YogaQueen

Most Unis have really good mental health support, talk to them before you go :smile:

Reply 4

belis

Original post by YogaQueen

The most important thing is not make sure that you are entitled to and covered for costs of treatment. It all varies depending on where you come from. I would advice you to contact home office early on as you may need insurance and it can be tricky to find one covering per-existing medical conditions.

Next important question is medication. Are you on any? If so make sure you bring adequate supply as it can take time before you get things sorted to get things prescribed over here.

Finally, unless you have severe and enduring mental illness be prepared for your condition to be managed by GP and not mental health services.

University should have disability and counseling services, which are good sources of support for students.

Reply 5

YogaQueen

I'm from an English oversees dependency so I'm British and speak English so not too worried bout that. I been told I can get care bursary and disable thing cos I have a hearing aid. But tbh I'm more interestied in having support in place so I don't fall back and someone to notice if I go into a manic or depressive period

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Reply 6

YogaQueen

Yea I'm on 4 different types of meds. I have a 'severe' mental illness depending on the phases and Been sectioned a few times, so would I see mh service or gp? Not sure tbh

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Reply 7

sarahh.

You'd see a GP for medication, and they can refer you to other mental health services. Also your uni will have a mental health/wellbeing people so you'd probably get counselling and stuff. What uni are you going to? :smile:

Reply 8

Nathanielle

Original post by YogaQueen

Yea I'm on 4 different types of meds. I have a 'severe' mental illness depending on the phases and Been sectioned a few times, so would I see mh service or gp? Not sure tbh

I think the most important thing is to adress that problem early. I would also ask your current doctors/gps/support teams for advice. Maybe they can help you to be referred quickly and/or ideally know the specialist in England, so you can get in touch with someone as soon as you arrive and there will be no problem, because of organisational stuff, like not having all the informations your new GP in the UK needs, etc.

Reply 9

belis

Original post by YogaQueen

Yea I'm on 4 different types of meds. I have a 'severe' mental illness depending on the phases and Been sectioned a few times, so would I see mh service or gp? Not sure tbh

You would have to start by registering with a GP but I imagine they would refer you sharpish, even if stable. Not many GPs are comfortable prescribing combination of four different psychotropics. You would probably end up seeing a psychiatrist every 6 months or so to keep an eye on medication. You may or may not have a care coordinator depending on current level of need.

Reply 10

YogaQueen

Yea I spoke to them recently and was told I will need to see a psychiatrist for meds/ med reviews and cpn for sessions/ support.
Are the mh services in England good?

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Reply 11

belis

Original post by YogaQueen

Yea I spoke to them recently and was told I will need to see a psychiatrist for meds/ med reviews and cpn for sessions/ support.
Are the mh services in England good?

I suppose it depends on your definition of good and what you compare it with. I would say services are overall adequate and some places are better than others.