If you do have any concerns or are in need of support, please remember to reach out to us, there are many ways to contact us:.

• Your Student Community and Wellbeing Manager – Clare is a key contact within the Department and is there to hold space for you if you want to talk about anything that may be affecting your wellbeing and/or your studies. She can also explain and help signpost you to the various support available both within and outside of the School. Talk to Clare, too, about any trouble you may experience settling into LSE and London, as a new and/or international student.
• Your Academic Mentor (AM)- your AM will guide and assist you in your learning development and maintain an overview of your academic progress and overall wellbeing during your time at the School. Find out more about the role of your Academic Mentor here.
• Programme Support meetings- the Programme support teams offer weekly sessions where you can speak to us about anything with which you need help or advice. You can book sessions via the Student Hub.
• MHFA- Some of the Department's professional services staff are Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA)- a point of contact if you, or someone you are concerned about, are experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. They can give you initial support and signpost you to appropriate help if required. 
• Financial Support- If you find yourself in unexpected financial need or difficulty, you should apply to the School Hardship fund in the first instance. Contact the Financial Support Office for information on how to apply. Once you have applied to the School fund, you can also apply to the Department Hardship fund, if appropriate. This may be able to help you in the event that you do not receive funding from the School, or may be able to provide addition support to the School hardship fund in particular cases.
  
  Speak to your Academic Mentor and/or the Programme support team for further information on how the Department Hardship fund may be able to help you.
  
  For all further information on the financial advice and assistance the School can provide, take a look at this helpful webpage

• Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at the Department of Social Policy- The Department and its staff work to ensure respectful, inclusive and supporting working relationships, within the Department. Read more here.

• Reporting and safe contacts

  The School's website, Making a Choice, is specifically designed to help you report any type of discrimination, sexual violence, bullying, harassment and hate crime experienced or witnessed on campus, and to provide sources of support to any student or staff member who has experienced this.

  The Safe Contacts and Support scheme is made up of members of LSE staff who have received training and can offer a confidential 'signposting' service for students and staff who have previously or are currently experiencing some form of bullying or harassment.
  
  ‘Report & Support’ allows individuals to either anonymously or otherwise report any form of harassment, bullying, sexual violence, discrimination or hate crime to the School, whether they have experienced it themselves or been a witness.
  You can find further information and support options (both within and outside of the School) via this helpful webpage.
  
  Racism, homophobia/transphobia, sexism, discrimination, bullying and harassment are all unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the Department of Social Policy or at LSE.

Wellbeing tips that have been shared from our Department of Social Policy community (staff and students) feature on our Community Wellbeing Wall area below. We'd love to keep hearing from you about what Wellbeing means to you! Please share your top Wellbeing tips with us via the form here. NB: All submissions for the Wellbeing Wall will be posted anonymously.

Wellbeing tips

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
For me wellbeing is not just about having a positive mindset and being comfortable and happy. Wellbeing is leading life with a goal to make a conscious decision to pursue and maintain happiness, no matter what life throws our way. Wellbeing is not something that can be achieved it’s something you consistently work to achieve to have stability and peace which will make you feel happy. 

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
For me: 1. praying 2. telling myself I’m pretty, I’m confident, I’m a bosswoman and I’m independent in the mirror every day 3. reflective journalling when and as needed 

Tips for keeping motivated
1. Motivating quotes and poems being visible to you (i.e phone screen, desk)

 2. Talking to yourself in a positive tone and using positive language (people usually tell themselves they aren't worthy, or use negative words to describe themselves)

3. Take a break (you can't work 24/7) 

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
Well-being means being comfortable in your mind as well as in your body, not feeling tension or pressure, simply do things how I feel they should be done. The best feeling for me is being serene, calm. Also it means having caring people around you, family, friends, school, that you can reach out if you need.

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
Doing sports, writing your feelings, calling the people that are important for you 

Tips for keeping motivated
Keep your goals in mind, being balanced (not burning yourself with work)

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
Wellbeing means being a good friend to oneself.

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
When things are getting difficult, make sure to focus on fundamentals: sleep well, eat well and move. 

Tips for keeping motivated
If something's worth doing, it's worth doing badly - just try to the extent that you can.

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
Wellbeing means happiness, emotional connection, feeling of being supported. 

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
Have regular communication with people in your life and try and have a positive outlook on most things. 

Tips for keeping motivated
Reward yourself, be proud of yourself and take control of your identifiable Characteristics that are impacting your wellbeing. 

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
To me, well-being means forgiveness. Knowing your limits and being accepting of them so that you can take a break when necessary.

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
Try to physically move out of a space when stressed, even just for a couple of minutes.

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
Balance - being able to be productive whilst being able to rest and do things you enjoy.

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
Actively removing myself from work - only work in certain places, keep your room your own to relax in 

Tips for keeping motivated
Exercising in the morning - helps you start feeling productive and gives you more energy throughout the day.

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
Knowing it’s okay to take a break (short or long) when you’re stressed or have a lot of work to do.

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
Maintaining social life (not partying but going on walks with friends, meeting for meals) 

Tips for keeping motivated
Listening to music, having a schedule and sticking to it. 

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
To feel happy and not anxious about deadlines...

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
London is amazing, take at least one hour to visit cool places around the city... it is possible to visit a new place each time.

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
Wellbeing is how well we can function as an individual, as a community, as a nation, and globally. 

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
Develop meaningful connections based on common goals and interests. Get to know your own community Travel Immerse oneself in nature.

Tips for keeping motivated
Never forget to make our lives meaningful because we are in this world for a very short time. 

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
Well-being means prioritising rest, calm, and joy. It does not have an end goal. It is about enjoying the moment and slowing down (usually). Most importantly, it looks different for everyone.

Taking time for yourself every day - even if it is 20 min Breathing exercises LSE offers therapy sessions Avoid screens before sleeping.

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
Plan & Make use of LSE's resources - Career services etc. Remember that you are not alone, and you do not have to do this alone.

Tips for keeping motivated
Remember that the goal is to get it done. Your thesis is probably going to be the "worst" work you would do in your career. It is just the beginning of your career. 

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
Well-being is a strongly knit community, peace with my circumstances and acceptance of the knowledge that university life can be challenging beyond academia.

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
1. Build a close-knit community intentionally 2. Eat food that is beyond instant gratification

Tips for keeping motivated
1. Remember that university is transient period of life 2. Remember to make time for unbridled, silly fun

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
Wellbeing means to me means feeling calm and in control of my life. It means feeling okay, even when things are new and overwhelming. 

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
Meditation, taking a break, exercise, eating well and giving yourself the space to procrastinate, relax and do what you want!

Tips for keeping motivated
Journalling, planning/organisations, TED talks and speaking to people that inspire you.

What does Wellbeing mean to you?
Wellbeing means feeling okay - not succumbing to stress, feeling supported and at peace in life. 

Tips on maintaining Wellbeing
Getting enough sleep, letting yourself rest, maintaining social connections and experiences.

Tips for keeping motivated
Not making assignments feel too large; incrementalizing workloads to stay on top of your stress.

We hold wellbeing events at various times throughout the academic year. These will be advertised via our student newsletters.