Every Monday, firstpoint publishes five points about a topic related to life at university. This week, how to get help via a STAR appointment…
POINT ONE: WHAT IS A STAR APPOINTMENT?
Open to all students, a STAR appointment allows you quick access to a trained professional to get help with any emotional, psychological or mental health issues that you may be experiencing. The 30 minute appointments are offered by the Counselling and Mental Health Service, are available Monday – Friday, between 9am and 4:30pm, and are held either in person (St John’s Campus) or via Microsoft Teams.
You can book directly online here (select your appointment preference at the top first and then the available options will show in the calendar below), or contact firstpoint for help arranging an appointment (please include your name, student number, contact details, availability and appointment preference).
POINT TWO: WHAT HAPPENS IN A STAR APPOINTMENT?
You’ll meet with an experienced, professional practitioner from the Counselling and Mental Health Service who will work with you to identify the appropriate support needed to meet your individual needs. You might discuss:
- Your current issues and how they are affecting you;
- What you would like to be different;
- What would be an immediate plan as a first step to help you;
- A referral to other services quickly to help resolve issues;
You will then also discuss whether further support from CMH would be helpful to you and what form that might take, or some self-help strategies to support you away from meetings.
POINT THREE: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A STAR APPOINTMENT?
You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your next steps with the member of our team who you’re meeting and will also leave your STAR appointment with an action plan that will include ways that you can start to help yourself.
These may include:
- Online or self-help resources
- Strategies to work on
- Recommendations for appointments you can book (e.g. GP)
- Signposting to support from other Student Services, or for informal wellbeing support via Fancy a Cuppa
You may be referred for further support from the team, or if you feel that you’ve been able to resolve the issue within your STAR appointment then nothing further will happen.
You’re always welcome to book another appointment in the future if things change down the line too, the team will be available right through your degree.
POINT FOUR: HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A STAR APPOINTMENT?
Normally you will be able to book a STAR appointment for within a few days, although at busy times of the year it may be a little longer. If you are concerned about the wait or need to speak to someone more urgently, contact firstpoint and we can look at the options with you.
If you have booked an appointment and can no longer attend, it’s really important to let us know or cancel/reschedule using the link on the booking confirmation email you will have received, so that we can ensure the appointment is made available to other students in need.
POINT FIVE: ARE THERE ANY OTHER SERVICES I CAN ACCESS WHILST WAITING FOR MY STAR APPOINTMENT?
On the Counselling and Mental Health webpages, you can find external sources of support and further guidance if you find that you are in a crisis now.
The Student Support Advisers can provide a confidential support service on a wide range of pastoral and welfare issues, including guidance around health and wellbeing, managing external responsibilities and relationships, or settling into life as a student. The team would be happy to meet with you about any concerns that are affecting your time at the University of Worcester.
If you are ever unsure who to ask or how to access support come and have a chat with us here at firstpoint. You can send us an email (firstpoint@worc.ac.uk), give us a call (01905 542551), or pop in and see us in the Peirson Study and Guidance Centre – and if you would like to speak somewhere move privately away from the desk, just let the adviser know.
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