Time to Talk Day is a national campaign taking place on Thursday 4 February 2021.
Its purpose is to encourage everyone to be more open about mental health and start a conversation, whether that's showing your support on social media, checking in on a friend, or opening up about your own feelings.
The Scottish Health Survey published in September 2020 highlights that around one in four people are affected by mental health problems in Scotland every year. Therefore, we all must work together to end the mental health stigma and raise awareness of available support.
We understand it can be difficult talking about your feelings, but research shows that discussing how you feel can have a considerable impact. There is an excellent range of support available at the College, which we've detailed below:
Front of House
Our front of house staff, who under normal circumstances you would usually see at our campus receptions, are more than happy to help with any queries you may have. You can also alert them to any personal issues, and if they can’t help, they’ll take the appropriate action to put you in touch with someone who can.
You can call the campus receptions numbers below to speak to a member of the team:
- Alloa - 01259 21 51 21
- Falkirk – 01324 403 000
- Stirling - 01786 40 60 80
Curriculum Managers/Lecturers
You will be in regular contact with your Curriculum Manager and Lecturers about your course work. Still, it’s OK to also let them know if you’re experiencing any personal difficulties, especially if it impacts upon your learning. Your Curriculum Manager or Lecturers will support you and possibly refer you to a relevant team for further advice.
Learner Advisers
Our Learner Advisory Team is not only there to help you with course information and career advice, but they can support you with any personal concerns you may have.
You can contact the team directly at learneradvisers@forthvalley.ac.uk or join their Teams channel using the code - rnu8ith.
Student Counsellors
The College offers a free Counselling Service, which is completely confidential and available to all students throughout term time. Support is currently being provided by video/telephone appointments, but counsellors are also available on all campuses throughout the week for crisis intervention/emergency appointments. Get in touch for availability - counselling@forthvalley.ac.uk
Student Association
As a Forth Valley College student, you will automatically become a Student Association member (FVSA). The FVSA will provide you with information on college updates, opportunities, etc., but most importantly, they are there to support you during your time as a college student.
The FVSA can be contacted by emailing studentassociation@forthvalley.ac.uk or joining their dedicated Teams channel using the following code - 6a880to.
You can find out more about the FVSA here.
Student Funding
If you’re worried about your finances, get in touch with our Student Funding Team on the email below. They’ll provide information on the different types of funding support available to you while studying at the College.
Togetherall
Togetherall is a safe online mental health community accessible 24/7, with trained professionals available at all times. Students can access this service for free by signing up using your college email address here.
We know circumstances are a little different right now, with most learning taking place at home, but we are here to support you during your time at the College. Please get in touch with one of the College contacts above if you need help or just want to talk to someone about how you’re feeling. More information on the support available at the College can be found here.
You can also get involved in #TimeToTalk Day 2021 - there are lots of resources on their website, which you can access for free here. Why not drop your best friend a text and ask how they’re getting on. A small conversation about mental health has the power to make a big difference.