Worried about someone?
If you’re worried about someone’s immediate safety,
- On campus: contact University Security on 0161 306 9966 via the red button on the Safe Zone app.
- Off campus or if there is immediate risk to life: call 999 straight away.
You might be worried about another student’s mental health because of something they say or do, or a change in their behaviour.
Although another student’s mental health is never your responsibility, where possible we encourage an open and honest conversation with the student who you are concerned about. It can be helpful to offer reassurance that their situation can improve and that support is available.
You might find Mind's ‘How can someone else help’ guidance helpful.
You might also find our guide to what to do when you are worried about someone helpful.
You could encourage them to seek support via the Mental Health Support Team’s self-referral system, or via their GP.
If the person would like to explore their support options but is struggling to self-refer, you can contact us on their behalf by emailing MHSTDutyPractitioners@manchester.ac.uk. We will reach out to the student as soon as possible.
If someone is reluctant to seek support, or for you to share their details, but you remain concerned, you can share their details with us without their agreement. We will need to be transparent with them that a concern has been raised, but you can remain anonymous if you prefer.
Call us on 0161 275 2864 or email MHSTDutyPractitioners@manchester.ac.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible to consider the next steps. We may ask to speak with you to seek further information.
If you have concerns about a student who you are not in contact with, please email MHSTDutyPractitioners@manchester.ac.uk and provide as much information as possible about your concern.
If you are on campus and have immediate concerns about a student’s safety, you can contact security on 0161 306 9966 or via the red button on the Safe Zone app. If you are anywhere else, or in the case of an emergency where it’s clear there is immediate risk to life, you must call 999.
As a University colleague you might be worried about a student because of something they say or do, or because they are non-contactable.
You can inform the Student Support and Wellbeing team in the School Support Hubs about your concern. They are usually able to advise if the concern can be addressed within the School or whether concerns should be shared with University Support Services.
If you have concerns about a student's mental health, please consult the guidance for colleagues page which will help you to determine the next appropriate steps.
If a student had disengaged from their studies and is not responding to your attempts to reach them, please consult the ‘Disengaged Student’s Process’ (StaffNet link) which outlines the steps to take when a student appears to have disengaged from their course.
The University provides colleagues with access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) ‘Health Hero Assist’ - a free confidential and independent counselling and information service.
Please also encourage them to contact their GP to request an appointment.
If you are worried about the immediate safety of a colleague, encourage them to attend their local A&E, or call 999. More information on Supporting your mental health can be found on StaffNet.
If you are worried about a colleague and it is not an emergency, Duty Practitioners in the Mental Health Team can be contacted by emailing MHSTDutyPractitioners@manchester.ac.uk. They can provide support and advice and will get back to you as soon as possible. Ideally, you should contact us with your colleagues agreement, but we understand that in some situations this might not be possible.
The Mental Health Support Team is a free service available to all students and offers a wide range of support. We encourage students to self‑refer. If they are struggling to self-refer you can help them make a referral. Alternatively, you can contact us with their agreement, and we can contact them.
If you are concerned about a relative’s mental health, you can share your concerns with us. Ideally you should let them know that you have contacted us, but we understand that this is not always possible.
Please be aware that due to protections under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, the University is unable to share information about a student’s welfare with relatives without explicit, recorded consent.
You can either call us on 0161 275 2864 or email us on MHSTDutyPractitioners@manchester.ac.uk. Please provide as much information as possible.
If you are concerned for someone’s immediate safety and they are on campus you can contact Security on 0161 306 9966. If they are elsewhere and, it’s clear there is immediate risk to life, you must call 999.
If you have concerns about a relative who is in halls of residence you can contact the Residential Life Team.