Health & Wellbeing
At Northern Regional College we are here to support the health and wellbeing of our students.
- General help and advice
- Relevant signposting
- Housing Support
- Crisis Support
- Welfare Support
- Period Dignity
- Mental Health
- Sexual Health
- Personal Problems
- Finance & Debt concern
- Careers and employability options
- Young adult carers
- LGBT+
- Young Parents
- Bullying
Mental Health
For most students, attending college is a fantastic experience. It's an opportunity to meet new people, explore numerous opportunities, achieve academic goals, and work towards a career.
We want all our students to have a positive experience, so it's crucial to seek advice and support early to minimise any impact on your mental health.
Our Mental Health First Aiders are available if you or someone you are concerned about is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. They provide support until professional help is received or the crisis is resolved.
If you are at risk of harm or abuse, or have concerns about another student, please speak to a member of our safeguarding team or email safe@nrc.ac.uk.
Counselling
Beginning any new course at the Northern Regional College can be a stressful and anxious time for many, whether as a mature student returning to education after a long time or for students who have just completed their secondary education.
All of us at some time in our lives have to deal with difficult experiences at, they might be physical, emotional, psychological or social. Talking things through with a counsellor can really help.
If something is causing you unhappiness or trouble, then it may be worth some time thinking about why this may be happening and talk things through. This is what counselling is - it gives you the chance to talk freely about what is causing you distress or anxiety, and helps you to resolve your own problems.
Inspire Wellbeing provides expert, confidential wellbeing services for students, aimed at helping them deal with challenges in their academic and private lives.
The Inspire Support Hub provides access to a range of online information guidance, screening, intervention tools and resources that are tailored to help care for your individual wellbeing. This includes:
- Guided wellbeing self-assessment via ‘iHelpr chatbot’
- Self-help courses
- A personalised mood/sleep tracker
- A range of wellbeing information and bibliotherapy
Visit Home - Inspire Student Hub. Sign up using the unique PIN: NRCHUB
Alternatively Inspire students can be contacted for free, confidential, and immediate support by self-referral using 0800 987 4089. This number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sexual Health
Your sexual health and wellbeing is important and looking after your sexual health can have a positive impact on your mental and physical health. Being confident about your sexual health can also help in developing positive relationships.
The Clinic offers a friendly and confidential service which is available at the Ballymena (Trostan Avenue) and Newtownabbey Campus. This service is available to all of our staff and students from all other campuses.
Why would I come to the Clinic?
- You are thinking about having sex for the first time.
- You want to talk to someone about sexual health issues.
- Your contraceptive has failed and you need emergency contraception.
- You need a pregnancy test.
- You want advice about what contraception is best for you – Pill, condoms etc.
- You have had unprotected sex
- You’re concerned about sexually transmitted infections. Remember that some STIs, such as Chlamydia, may have no symptoms.
- You’re starting a new relationship and you want to have a checkup.
What are the Opening Times?
Newtownabbey
Monday
9.30am - 1.00pm
Ballymena (Trostan Avenue)
Thursday
9.30am – 3.30pm
How do I make an appointment?
Phone: 028 2565 5615
On arrival
Newtownabbey - Report to the Clinic receptionist.
Trostan Avenue - Go straight to the Pastoral Care Centre and report to the Clinic receptionist.
The Clinic receptionist will ask you to fill out a registration form. Remember to give a current mobile number, as we may need to contact you.
For more information please visit https://www.sexualhealthni.info/genitourinary-medicine-gum-clinics
The C-Card (Condom Distribution) Scheme is a confidential sexual health service for young people aged 16 – 25 years in Northern Ireland. The scheme provides free condoms, lubricants, information support and advice at convenient times and in a variety of locations across local communities.
The scheme is more than just a condom distribution scheme. The C-Card Scheme offers supported access to condoms and signposting to local sexual health services.
The service is available at:
Magherafelt Campus
Contact Leo Meenan
Email - leo.meenan@nrc.ac.uk
Telephone: 028 7963 2462
Causeway campus
Contact: Seán Fisher
Email - sean.fisher@nrc.ac.uk
Telephone 028 2766 0432
More information regarding the C-Card scheme can be found at https://www.sexualhealthni.info/welcome-ni-c-card-condom-distribution-scheme
Period Dignity
Period dignity refers to the accessibility and availability of essential care needed to support a period, in conjunction with the breaking of stigma and taboo around periods.
Period poverty is a significant issue impacting millions of people around the world. Studies have shown that at least 25% of women and people who menstruate studying in the UK have struggled to access or afford period products.
Following a successful pilot from the Department for the Economy NI the students’ union has successfully established free period products in the female and accessible bathrooms across all our campuses.
All products are completely free so Take what you need, when you need it.
Should you ever find the boxes empty please report it to reception, one of the student services offices or email studentsunion@nrc.ac.uk
Take 5 Steps to wellbeing
Most of us know when we are mentally and physically well, but sometimes we need a little extra support to keep well. There are five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing. Try to build these into your daily life – think of them as your ‘five a day’ for wellbeing.
