Student Health App
LISTED ON THE NHS APPS LIBRARY ⇒ click here
"We recommend that higher education institutions advertise the ESC Student Health App and encourage its use."
(Higher Education Policy Institute Report 'The Invisible problem? Improving students' mental health', pages 9 and 46/47)
The FREE Student Health App enables students to avoid the frustrations (and dangers) of googling health information and provides reliable and reassuring health advice in seconds - in one single place, even when offline.
The app aims to help students:
- make better informed decisions about their health
- navigate the NHS and access health and support services wisely
- improve their wellbeing and prevent avoidable health problems
With the app, student support services now have a free, safe and trusted tool available that they can recommend to their students to improve their health and wellbeing - and that may also help reduce avoidable pressure on their limited resources.
"There has never been a more crucial time for students to have access to reliable, safe, relevant health information. Students need to be able to access credible help fast. The Student Health App provides all of this, on a wide range of topics, from mental and sexual health through to emergencies and travel. They shouldn't leave home without it."
(Dr Dominique Thompson, National Student Health Expert)
Why we created this app
Student mental health problems are on the rise, and many university support services are overwhelmed.
Knowing what to do when faced with a physical or mental health problem can be challenging for students when being away from home for the first time (international students in particular) - and useful information can sometimes be hard to find.
At a time when they're vulnerable, students need easy, fast and discreet access to health information they can trust.
How does the app work?
Similar to a digital book, the Student Health App contains practical and reassuring advice to enable students to make better informed decisions about their health:
- Symptoms: How to spot signs of physical and mental illness - including the warning signs and when not to worry
- Self-care: How to treat common health problems at home, prevent medical problems from happening and generally stay well
- Signposting: When to seek help from a health professional and how to find local support
The app can be used offline in situations or places with no or limited internet access (e.g. travel, international placements, being out in town), so the main content is always available.
What can students find on the app?
This one-stop guide to student health offers over 900 pages with plain-talking reassurance, information and advice on more than 125 topics relevant to students in areas such as:
- Mental health
- First Aid & Emergencies
- Alcohol & Drugs
- Love and Relationships
- Healthy Living
- Safety
- Navigating the NHS
- ...and more
Does the app contain local information?
We can customise the app for universities and colleges by adding a branded page with links to local support.
Currently, students from the following universities and colleges benefit from local information on the app:
- University College London
- University of St Andrews
- UWE Bristol
- University of Bristol
- Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford
The short (21 seconds) video below to shows how it works, using the University of the West of England as an example. ⇒ learn more about customisation
Who is the app app suitable for?
The app is aimed at university, college and sixth form students in the UK. Students in other parts of the world may also find the information useful.
"slick and professional"
"the appearance of the app is great and I like the tabs in the home page with all the topics"
"very clear and easy to understand"
"very well written and easy to use"
"I would recommend this to my friends. I think everyone should have access to quick medical info and this app helps with that!"(from student user feedback)
Can students and student support services trust the app?
The content has been created by a team of:
- NHS doctors and other health professionals
- Experts in student health from the University of Bristol Students' Health Service
- Students from a variety of backgrounds
We (Expert Self Care, the app's developer) are led by an experienced NHS GP and certified by the NHS England Information Standard as a producer of reliable health information.
The Student Health App:
- has been assessed and approved by NHS Digital and is listed on the NHS Apps Library
- has been reviewed by the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications
- is regularly updated
Learn more about how we have produced the information on the app.
