Story 9

An accident after drinking too much early in the first year set this student into a downward spiral of depression which eventually led to suspension from the course...

Downward spiral

I had a hard start to student life. I started off having an accident after drinking too much and ended up being in and out of hospital for weeks after. This made me very lonely and down as I don't remember much about it. My work suffered for being ill over Christmas and I returned to uni without completing any work.

Suicidal

This made me more stressed and tipped me over the edge and I took an overdose. I was so scared as I was rushed back and was very ill. After that I promised myself I would never hurt myself again. I was fine for months with positive mood and kept myself busy, until I started placement when my confidence took a big drop as my mentor wasn't very supportive. This made me think about self harm. The number of times I went for a walk with the idea of walking in front of a car or went for a drive and started driving unsafely...

Getting help

I finally told someone and got moved mentor which was good. I was starting to get somewhere. However my friends didn't feel I was better. They told the uni all my feelings I had been telling them over the course and when I ended up back in hospital after falling down some stairs they suspended me over concerns over my mental health. I went to my GP and was started on a course of antidepressants, which I have responded well to. Now I am in the process of returning to uni.

What helps