"If you're studying on any Medical and Health Sciences campus worldwide, you're likely to need support," says An-Maree Nel, senior clinical psychologist at the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) at Stellenbosch University (SU).

"The nature of the work as well as the pressures students have to deal with, especially within a South African context, are extraordinary," says Nel.

Unrealistic academic expectations contribute to this stress. "Our students are used to being good academic performers. When faced with failure they don't see it as part of a learning curve, but internalise it to the extent that their sense of self-worth is dependent only on their marks," she explains. Financial and social pressures often also influence a student's mental wellbeing. Unfortunately, says Nel, many students are not taking advantage of all the support networks available to them.

"Emotions are often perceived as a sign of weakness," she says. But suppressing your emotions is not a good long term strategy. It's bound to pop back up, like when trying to keep a ball under water, she explains. "Instead of seeking help proactively, students often wear their competency masks until they are no longer able to function and are forced to seek assistance."

Nel invites students to use the support services the CSCD offers. In addition to free individual access to educational and clinical psychologists, there are also have ongoing group initiatives on the Tygerberg campus. Every semester there are academic work sessions on effective study methods and learning styles, memory techniques and time and anxiety management. Personal and professional development sessions and groups include Connect and Breathing Space.

"Connect provides a safe space to reflect and learn from the perspectives and experiences of fellow students," says Nel. Students commit to attend one-hour sessions for eight weeks and the next group will start in September 2016.

In the Breathing Space sessions, which is facilitated every second Tuesday from 12:00-12:45 in the societies' room in the TSS, practical skills such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness, meditation and visualisation is taught to enhance student's coping skills.

"We also arrange ad hoc sessions with different classes based on their specific needs, such as post-clinical reflections," says Nel. They are also open to suggestions and requests from students.

If you're unsure whether you need support, Nel provides this list of tell-tale signs that your emotions might start causing havoc in your life:

• You start isolating yourself and avoiding others.
• You procrastinate excessively.
• You feel sad or depressed most of the time.
• You sleep too much or too little.
• You have an excessive or diminished appetite.
• You feel excessively tired, demotivated and struggle to concentrate on your work.
• You fail academically.
• You become excessively irritable, self-critical, tearful, overwhelmed or anxious.
• You drink alcohol excessively or start experimenting with drugs.

Says Nel: "Everybody needs a safe space to reflect, connect, re-energise and grow. You don't have to be in a vulnerable space to utilise our services. The CSCD offers various safe spaces that will facilitate your personal and professional growth. Grab these opportunities, you'll be glad you did."Meet the FMHS team*An-Maree Nel: Senior Clinical PsychologistLiani Joubert: Consultant Educational PsychologistLouise Fischer: Consultant Educational PsychologistNatalie Smith-Chandler: Consultant Educational PsychologistLaetitia Norval: Receptionist *They also make use of other psychologists on an ad hoc basis. Get in touch To find out more about the group initiatives, or to book a free and confidential appointment with an educational or clinical psychologist, contact the following people:

• Breathing space: [email protected]
• Connect and suggestions for sessions: [email protected]
• Appointments: 021 938 9590 (Laetitia Norval)

Information on new initiatives will also be put up on TSR notice boards and on the TSR Facebook page.