If you need treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction, you’re entitled to NHS care in the same way as anyone else who has a health problem. So visiting your local GP is a good place to start. They can discuss your problems with you and get you into treatment. They may offer you treatment at the practice or refer you to your local drug and alcohol service.

If you’re not comfortable talking to a GP, you can approach your local drug and alcohol treatment service yourself.

The local treatment service centre in Plymouth is Harbour

Email: harbourcentre@harbour.org.uk

Telephone: 01752 434343  

Being a compulsive gambler can harm your health and relationships. It can also leave you in serious debt. 

If you have a problem with gambling and you’d like to stop, support and treatment is available.

GamCare offer free information, support and counselling for problem gamblers in the UK. It runs the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) and offers face-to-face counselling.

If you have found yourself in debt due to gambling visit the National Debtline.

Intimate image abuse, known as ‘revenge porn’ is the act of sharing (or threatening to share) intimate images or videos, either online or offline, without consent with the intention of causing distress

What does the law say? Intimate image abuse is against the law and can result in up to two years in prison. Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.

What is voyeurism? If you take sexual or nude pictures of someone without their consent, that’s voyeurism. A picture under their clothing? That’s upskirting. These are against the law too and classed as sexual offences.

What is sextortion? If someone tricks you into online sexual activity which they record and then demand money, that’s sextortion.

Visit the website

Contact the helpline on 0345 6000 459

or Email: help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk

Stalking is classed as any behaviour from another person which is persistent, unwanted and harassing, anything that causes you any kind of fear or anxiety.

It covers a wide range of activities including;

• unwanted or malicious communication
• assault
• unwanted attention from somebody seeking a romantic relationship
• violent predatory behaviour
• sending gifts which are unwanted
• persistently following someone
• repeatedly going uninvited to their home
• monitoring someone’s use of the internet, email or other form of electronic communication
• loitering somewhere frequented by the person
• interfering with or damaging their property
• watching or spying on someone
• identity theft

Stalking is not a ‘one-off’ crime. It is a series of incidents which when taken in isolation can appear trivial but when put together they become more sinister. 

It can take place at home, online, at work or on a night out. Stalkers often use multiple methods of harassing their victims, but any such behaviour is illegal. 

In the vast majority of cases the victim will know the stalker however there have been cases where the victim does not know the offender. 

Call the National Stalking Helpline  0808 802 0300

Or use the contact form

Lots of people enjoy playing games and spend hours gaming. For many this is ok and they are able to have other hobbies and interests, see friends and they can still get on with their everyday life. For others this love of gaming can tip into being unhelpful and impact on their life in a damaging way.

It is possible to be at risk of or develop an addiction to gaming in a similar way to those who are at risk of or addicted to substances (such as drugs or alcohol).

Here are some signs that there might be a problem and it’s time to get help:

• Constantly thinking about or wanting to play the game
• Feeling irritable and restless (fidgety) when not playing
• Underreporting or lying about how much time you’ve spent playing or playing in secret (such as in the middle of the night)
• Tiredness, headaches or hand pain from too much screen time and use of controllers
• Not wanting to pay attention to things like your personal hygiene (e.g., washing) or eating
• Not seeing friends as often or doing other things you used to enjoy doing as all your time is spent gaming
• Not wanting to go to school so that you can game

Not everyone who has a gaming addiction will experience all the signs and symptoms. Also, if you are experiencing some of these signs and symptoms this does necessarily mean that you have a gaming addition, but it is important to get help and advice.

If you think you have a gaming addiction and would like to seek help you can contact the National Problem Gambling Clinic on 020 7381 7722 or complete the Gaming Addiction Referral Form.

Domestic Abuse

It doesn’t matter how old you are, what gender you are, your ethnicity, sexuality or background – anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse.

What is Domestic Abuse?

There are different types of abuse. The most widely recognised abuse occurs in relationships, but the definition of abuse also covers abuse between family members. Abuse may be:

• Physical
• Sexual
• Financial
• Emotional

Visit the Domestic Abuse pages to find out more and available support

Further Support

If you are experiencing domestic violence you can get help from the Department of Work and Pensions 

This includes Housing Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance a break from job seeking and Universal Credit adjustments.

Bullying

Bullying can happen anywhere, at anytime in a persons life, and be about anything.

If you are being bullied by another student and want to talk to someone about it email studentsupport@marjon.ac.uk

Listed below are external support providers/agencies  who can offer help/support: 

Bullying UK

Bullying UK is a charity dedicated to supporting those who are experiencing bullying in the home, in education or in the workplace. They have a confidential helpline as well as a live online chat service. Opening hours:

Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 21:00

Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00

Telephone: 0808 800 2222

National Bullying Helpline

The National Bullying Helpline is the leading UK anti-bullying helpline dedicated to stamping out bullying and helping those who are, or have been bullied. This includes bullying in the workplace, at home, in the community and in education, face-to-face or on the internet/mobile phones.

After experiencing the death of a loved one you might find it difficult to adjust.  Grief can have a massive impact and you may find that you need some support. In addition to the Marjon Counselling Centre (which you can access by emailing studentsupport@marjon.ac.uk) the below are a number of support agencies that can help.

Bereavement Advice Centre

The Bereavement Advice Centre provides helpful practical advice on what to when someone dies. Opening hours:

Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00, except bank holidays

Telephone: 0800 634 9494

Bereavement UK

Bereavement UK aim to provide people with bereavement support and information when you need it, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Email for support: support@bereavement.co.uk

Cruse Bereavement Care

Cruse Bereavement Care offers support, advice and information to people who are struggling with the death of a loved one and are in need of additional specialist help. They offer telephone, email and face-to-face support to people of all ages.

Monday and Friday from 09:30 to 17:00, except bank holidays

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 09:30 to 20:00

Telephone: 0844 477 9400

Email address: helpline@cruse.org.uk 

Child Death Helpline

The Child Death Helpline is staffed by bereaved parents trained to support others going through a similar experience. The helpline is there for anyone that has been affected by the death of a child. Opening hours are:

Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 13:00

Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 13:00 to 16:00

Every Evening from 19:00 to 22:00

Telephone: 0800 282 986 or 0808 800 6019

Pregnancy Choices Directory

Pregnancy Choices Directory provides people with support and information about all aspects of pregnancy, including miscarriages and abortion. They provide specific counselling for dealing with pregnancy, pre- and post-abortion, miscarriage, adoption and baby loss.

Telephone: 07826 715 377

The Miscarriage Association

The Miscarriage Association provide advice and information for people pre-and post-abortion. They have advice pages designed specifically for young people and provide a helpline to support people in understanding and dealing with the bereavement. Opening hours:

Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00

Telephone: 01924 200799

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

UK-SOBS is a national charity that is dedicated supporting adults who have been bereaved by suicide. They offer support via email and in support groups. Opening hours:

Every day from 09:00 to 21:00

Telephone: 0300 111 5065

Pete’s Dragons also provide support to those experiencing suicide loss. You can contact them by:

Telephone: 01395 277780

Email: admin@petesdragons.org.uk

If you have been sexually abused, it is important to remember that it wasn’t your fault. Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Listed  below are some agencies that are available to provide support:

• Plymouth – Operation Emotion
• Devon – Momentum Exeter
• Cornwall – Service for Sexually Abused Men
• UK – SurvivorsUK
• UK – Safeline

If you have been sexually abused, it is important to remember that it wasn’t your fault. Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Listed  below are some agencies that are available to provide support:

• The Survivors Trust
• Rape Crisis England & Wales
• First Light

The LGBT Foundation are a national charity that deliver advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. They also work with healthcare and other professionals to help make public services more accessible and inclusive for LGBT communities.

Visit their website: LGBT Foundation

Or call: 0345 330 3030

If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder you can contact Beat Eating Disorders.  The have a helpline services that is available 365 days a year. They also offer online support groups.

Visit the website

Or contact Beat using the Student telephone number: 0808 801 0811