“There is Courage in Speaking Up” – Using the University’s Mental Health Services

University can be stressful for a number of reasons. Whether it’s moving away from home, living with new flatmates, doing assignments, or working, everyone struggles in one way or another. You don’t have to go through it alone – there is courage in speaking up.

When I was struggling in my first year, I used the counselling drop-in session that the University provides. This was a 20-minute telephone call where I spoke to a counsellor about what I was experiencing. After the call, we decided that I could benefit from ongoing counselling, so I started to see a regular counsellor, who I had six sessions with.

Counselling provided me with a safe place to explore my feelings and thoughts without any judgement and I’m grateful to my counsellor for supporting me when I needed someone to talk to.

As a black Christian, I know how counselling and mental health is not talked enough about and is often misrepresented in the black community and the church. However, I want you to know that seeking help doesn’t make you weak and that God isn’t against therapy.

So, if you’re going through something and need someone to talk to, I encourage you to reach out and use one of the counselling and mental health services provided by the University.

As my counsellor told me, there is courage in vulnerability and there is courage in speaking up.

Jesutomisin Adeagbo

Jesutomisin Adeagbo is in her second year studying BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling. She aims to work as a child psychologist/counsellor in the future and she loves dancing, painting and speaking in French.