Why Use the Student Assistance Programme (SAP)

Adjusting to and dealing with student life can be far more complicated and difficult than it’s made out to be. There are financial hurdles to overcome, social scenarios to adapt to, understanding the nuances of living independently and the stresses that come with juggling education in between it all. There is no shame in needing support to get through it all. Whether that be from friends, family or even tutors, support will always be a necessity.

In instances where professional support is needed, a Student Assistance Programme can be an invaluable tool. To get the most out of Student Assistance Programme, you need to understand what they offer, how it works and the aims of the programme in assisting and supporting you.

What is the Student Assistance Programme?

HA | Wisdom Wellbeing’s Student Assistance Programme (SAP) is a service that is specifically designed to support students above the age of 16 in college or university with their mental wellbeing. No matter the mental health challenges a student may be experiencing, the Student Assistance Programme is here to assist in whichever way it can through confidential, expert advice and counselling. As well as this, students will have access to a host of other resources such as the Wisdom App which includes podcasts, articles and mood trackers.

Services you can access using the SAP

The support services students can access using HA | Wisdom Wellbeing’s SAP is extensive and meets all a person’s wellbeing needs. Here are some of the services students can access using the SAP:

Counselling

Support helpline

At HA | Wisdom Wellbeing, we understand the struggles that students face, regardless of their circumstances. Whether they are living at home or in a new city, we understand the trials and tribulations that come with student life. This is why our SAP provides a 24/7 helpline, 365-days a year where students can contact our team of trained, expert counsellors. Through solution-focused, short-term counselling, our team of counsellors can support students to work through any issues they are facing, improve their overall wellbeing and continue to focus on their education.

Specialist information

For certain issues, students may need more specific and pointed information and guidance. However, our counsellors can still provide the necessary expert support, with dedicated teams for specialist topics. Some of these topics include:

• Legal information

• Medical information

• Financial information

These services can be extremely beneficial to students who may not have a full understanding on topics they may only being introduced to such as student finance, housing, council tax, registering with a new GP, accessing medical support and prescriptions, etc.

Critical incident advice

Critical incidents such as suicidal thoughts, self-harm, suicide attempts and the suicide of close peers can be incredibly impactful and detrimental to a person’s mental health and the level of support required may be extensive. That is why we provide Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) to ensure effective and proper support during some of the most difficult periods of a student’s life.

Emotional Support

Alcohol and drug support

Alcohol and experimenting with drugs are typically associated with student life. There is nothing particularly wrong with enjoying alcohol in moderation to enjoy oneself, but it is often underestimated that students begin to struggle with alcohol and substance abuse due to the culture surrounding student life. That is why our counsellors are trained and equipped to support those who get in touch regarding substance abuse, offering solutions, steps for recovery, and so forth.

Stress, anxiety and depression

Sometimes stress can be a positive motivational factor to get work done and submitted on time. But constant high levels of stress can lead to burnout and a decline in a person’s mental health, resulting in anxiety or even depression. It has been found that 25% of students in the UK are more likely to drop out of their respective courses and institutions due to their mental health. This is why our counselling service is focused on assisting with student mental health to ensure they can continue to focus on their education without worrying about the stress they are experiencing and how it can lead to greater mental health concerns.

Bereavement and loss

Losing someone, especially someone close to you, can be one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. Regardless of how strong and resilient a person perceives themselves to be, in these times, they need trusted channels of support. This is especially true for young people and students. For some, it may be the first time they have experienced losing someone close to them. That person may have been their closest friend, their parental figure / guardian, their support network and it may be compounded by the fact their peers might not be able to relate, amplifying feelings of loneliness. Emotions can run high, be confusing and vary wildly.

With all this in mind, the impact on academic performance will be notable. It is for this very reason that through our SAP, students will be able to access expert grief counselling and therapy 24/7 as well as face-to-face therapy if necessary and if it makes individuals feel more comfortable.

Relationship and family advice

The immediacy of family and relationship issues can weigh heavily on a person and take up all their focus. With lesser life and worldly experiences, it can be difficult for students to know how to address and handle these issues with efficacy. By contacting the SAP helpline, students can gain valuable and personalised advice to help overcome and resolve any issues they may have in relationships or with their family.

Domestic abuse support

It is estimated that [1 in 5 people](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/domesticabuseinenglandandwalesoverview/november2024#:~:text=Approximately%20one%20in%20five%20(20.5,Police%20recorded%20domestic%20abuse) in the UK aged 16 and over have been the victims of domestic abuse since the age of 16. Experiencing or even witnessing domestic abuse, especially at such a formative age, can have huge ramifications for a person’s mental wellbeing. It can lead to anxiety, depression, impact emotional regulation and strain social relationships and academic performance. It can also lead to other mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and in certain instances even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). No matter the nature of the abuse, whether it be verbal, mental, physical or even sexual, our counsellors are trained and prepared to support individuals in whichever way they can, providing expert advice and signposting towards further support resources if necessary.

Future planning

College and university are typically considered as the final steps for young people before they enter the world of full-time work and begin to form their career path. It can be an intimidating prospect to consider and can lead to immense stress. This stress can then cause a ripple effect of preventing effective planning for the future. The SAP and our counsellors can be relied on to provide tips, guidance and assistance on planning for the future. Whether it’s regarding financial advice, legal advice regarding property and tenancies, or even resources to support career progression, our team are there to support.

Sexual and gender identity

As you grow older, you begin to understand yourself more. Your mind is opened by new experiences, new interactions and greater introspection. You may discover something about yourself that you didn’t fully understand to begin with, but now with a greater understanding of the world and yourself as you have grown into it, discover something about your sexual and gender identity. The concerns come from the fear of being judged, ostracised and even harassed.

Despite the progress that has been made in becoming a more inclusive, progressive and accepting society regarding attitudes to the LGBTQ+ community, there is still a significant stigma and a horde of misinformation regarding the community, leading to some repressing their identity. The anxiety and strain that comes with this self-suppression can take an immense toll on a person’s wellbeing. Our SAP helpline provides students who are beginning to understand their sexual and gender identity a safe, secure and confidential channel of support to discuss their feelings, anxieties and calm stresses, supporting their personal journey and discovering themselves and their sexual/gender identity.

Wellbeing resources

Wisdom is our unique wellbeing app for easy to access to our wellbeing resource. Whether that be accessing support with our trained counsellors through live chat and video call features, recipes, wellbeing articles and podcasts or even various health trackers to achieve your health and wellbeing goals, the Wisdom App is here to support you. The Wisdom App can act as the one stop shop for all your daily wellbeing needs, enabling you to establish healthy routines and to improve and maintain your mental and physical wellbeing.

When to use the service

There is no set time or instance that means you should access and use the Student Assistance Programme; you can use the service whenever you need. There is no way to predict when a student may need support, so we ensure our service is available 24/7, 365-days a year, with care from expert, accredited counsellors who are prepared to deal with your pressing issues. Combine this with the Wisdom App which is ready and available on your phone, there is no limit to when and how you access the unmatched mental wellbeing support our service provides.

How the Student Assistance Programme (SAP) can support you

The pressures and concerns that students face is often underestimated and are downplayed due to the mindset that surrounds young people and students, minimising these issues. The Student Assistance Programme from HA | Wisdom Wellbeing is designed to provide this expert support to ensure that students can get the most from their time in academia whilst also growing as person and gaining a greater understanding of not only themselves, but also the world around them. Whether it is a mental health concern, an issue of being overwhelmed by studies or a social issue, our SAP is here to provide the necessary expert support.

Conclusion

All students will encounter issues throughout their time in education, and the issues can vary wildly. It is perfectly normal to experience issues and have concerns. Knowing when and how to seek support for these issues is the key issue facing students. If issues begin to negatively impact mental wellbeing, expert support may be required. That is when the Student Assistance Programme may need to be utilised. Possibly to seek a solution to an issue or to simply discuss a concern with someone understanding through a secure and confidential channel, our SAP is the support system you can rely upon.