Unfortunately from time to time members of our diverse and global student and staff community will be impacted by humanitarian disasters, major global emergencies and conflict. At these times often words cannot fully convey the impact of these events but as a University community we are committed to offer the best support we can.
With increasing tensions across the globe and constant media and social media coverage it can prove difficult to predict how things will affect us, either directly or indirectly, and can be difficult to naviagate the support that is available.We encourage students and staff to access the support available so we can help. On this page you will find details of how we can support our community and how we can offer help to countries in need.
Support for students
All our wellbeing teams in the Directorate of Student Life are ready to offer support for students who are impacted by global events. All teams have experience in supporting and talking with people who are experiencing anxiety, fear and grief.
If you are finding it difficult to focus on your studies as you are closely affected by global events you should reach out to to your School Office or Personal Adviser for academic advice and support. They will also be able to provide guidance on the mitigation process.
Support for staff
Your Line Manager, or Human Resources will be able to offer you advice and guidance for your personal circumstances.
You can also make use of the support provided by the Employee Wellbeing Programme run by Confidential Care. Support includes access to counselling, advice on family care, financial management and legal guidance
Our inclusive and supportive community
As we all navigate challenging global events it is important that we continue to draw strength from each other and prioritise being kind and compassionate to all those around us. We expect our campus community to be a supportive and welcoming one, where everyone is treated with respect and where we are all appreciative of the diversity of our students and staff and the benefits this brings.
We also recognise that freedom of speech and academic freedom are core values and that open debate and discussion is central to learning and development. We encourage students and staff to actively engage in academic discussion of complex global issues and to express their views, expecting that where there is constructive disagreement this is shared with civility and in a lawful way.
We are committed to addressing behaviour which does not meet our expectations or actions which are unlawful.
Reporting inappropriate behaviour
Reports can be made through RH Be Heard - report to us, either as named or anonymous reports, to the University Security team, and where there is criminal behaviour to Surrey Police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.
Students can also speak with our Wellbeing Advisers or Chaplains for guidance.
We have security provision 24/7 on our Egham campus. You can contact them by visiting the security reception in Founder's East, by calling 01784 443063 or mailto:securityrhul@royalholloway.ac.uk
In London you can speak to the reception team at 11 Bedford Square.
Useful links
How to cope with news anxiety (shared from Mental Health UK)
24-hour rolling news is designed to hijack our attention and keep us distracted. Being informed is important, but not when it negatively impacts your psychological wellbeing. We explain how to deal with news anxiety to support your mental health, as well as young people’s.
News anxiety was first discussed by psychologists in the early 1990s when 24-hour rolling news became a phenomenon on television. Today, the news sits in our pockets, bags, and desks, via smart devices and laptops making it hard to avoid
News can cause us to feel an array of emotions, including:
- Happy
- Angry
- Sad
- Curious
- Upset.
Social media and online news coverage often covers negative reports and stories. Negative news generates increased levels of cortisol in our bodies (your body’s main stress hormone) leading to heightened levels of anxiety which we are not designed to sustain. This can lead to potential physical and mental health problems or unhealthy habits including:
- ‘Doom-scrolling’ websites and social media feeds
- Checking your phone or other devices every few minutes
- Unable to focus or concentrate on tasks
- Sense of hopelessness
- Social isolation.
So, how can you reset your relationship with the news?
Much of what happens in the news is beyond your control. You might feel consumed by reports and stories, but it’s important to remember that in many cases you cannot affect the events being reported.
If you’re feeling anxious, angry, or upset, think about the things you can control in your life.
Psychological research shows that human beings cannot multitask effectively. If you struggle at not looking at your phone, you can try:
- Keeping it in another room
- Turning off notifications
- Switching your phone off.
You have the power. You can control your social media and news intake by:
- Using a site-blocker to control the hours you can visit certain websites including news sites
- Turning off pop-up notifications on social media
- Setting your phone and computer to offline mode when focusing.
Distressing news can be very upsetting, but you can decide how to respond. You could:
- Talk to a friend or loved one about how you’re feeling
- Practice mindfulness or another meditation to help reset your mind
- Step away from your phone and other devices for short or longer periods
- Go outside for a walk or a run – any physical activity can help
- Get involved with a community activity to support something you care deeply about – this could even be related to news that has affected you. Eg. charity fundraising to support war refugees.
You can arrange to see or speak with friends and family. If you get social anxiety, that is ok. You can see or speak with people at another time when you’re feeling less anxious.
Challenge unhelpful thinking and put your thoughts on trial. You could ask yourself:
- Why do I feel this way?
- Is this something I can control? If not, what can I do to help myself?
- What have I done before that makes me feel better when this happens?
- What haven’t I tried yet?
News often reports the worst-case scenarios, and we tend to focus only on these. It is easy to forget about the things you can do to help.
Climate change. War. Covid-19. Rising costs of living. You cannot assume responsibility for all of these. They are out of your control. However, there may be smaller actions you can take and be responsible for including:
- Learning more about how to help yourself in instances of financial worry
- Writing to your MP and participating in local and general elections
- Maintaining a healthy routine eg. balanced diet, exercise, social time with friends and family, playing games, reading books, asking for professional help when you need it.
We are all individuals, and we respond differently to stress. If you try something to help you manage your relationship with the news and it doesn’t work, try something else. What works for one person, may not work for you.
If you are finding the news is negatively impacting your mental health, then you should always ask for help from a professional. This could be:
- Your GP
- A counselling service
- A psychiatrist
- Local mental health community support groups.
And of course - all university services and staff will be ready to offer you support and respond to your personal experiences and circumstances.