SilverCloud

Only administrative staff and the clinical leads within the Student Counselling and Mental Health Advice Service will have access to data held on the programme.   ICT will have limited access only to provide technical support if necessary.   As this is a cloud-based software provided by a third party, SilverCloud will have access to the data you enter only to provide the service.  SilverCloud will produce anonymised and aggregated data on the usage of the program for the purposes of service analysis, service improvement or research purposes.  Upon completion you will continue to have access to your data for 12 months from when you register.  All data will be subject to compliance with GDPR.

SilverCloud is not a substitute for meeting with a professional person regarding difficulties you might be having.  We would suggest that if you are having difficulties that are interrupting your ability to enjoy life and to things you wish to do, that you see your doctor. 

Participating in the SilverCloud programme is voluntary and does not affect entitlement to accessing Student Counselling or Mental Health Advice within our service.  You may discontinue use at any time.

We would appreciate any feedback you might have about the programmes and would invite you to complete the confidential questionnaire for this here: https://imperial.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3CuQPdLHzfkRlYh

You can contact the developer directly to report any issue or if you have any questions about this product.

'Body image is how you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind. It encompasses:

• What you believe about your own appearance (including your memories, assumptions, and generalisations).
• How you feel about your body, including your height, shape, and weight.
• How you sense and control your body as you move.  How you physically experience or feel in your body. 

Many of us internalise messages starting at a young age that can lead to either positive or negative body image. Having a healthy body image is an important part of mental wellbeing and eating disorders prevention.’*

*National Eating Disorders Association

SilverCloud offers a preventive and practical programme built in conjunction with leading clinical and subject matter experts that provides you with the tools and strategies to build a positive body image, better self-esteem and to develop a healthy relationship with food. You can learn about:

• Self-esteem and what you can do to boost it
• Tactics to improve your body image
• Developing new coping mechanisms
• How to have a healthy relationship to food

Space for Positive Body Image consists of seven modules, complete these in your own time and at your own pace over approximately eight weeks. Each module contains text, video and audio clips as well as interactive and engaging activities that will help promote positive body image and greater self-esteem.

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear that can be mild or severe.

Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam or having a medical test or job interview.

During times like these, feeling anxious can be perfectly normal.

But some people find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect their daily lives.*

*https://www.nhs.uk

This programme can help you to manage anxiety, challenge anxious thoughts and feel better. It teaches you skills and strategies to tackle anxiety now and in the future. You can learn to:

• Increase awareness of your moods and anxious thoughts
• Reduce avoidance, learn to face your anxieties
• Challenge anxious and distorted thoughts
• Develop coping skills

Space from Anxiety consists of seven modules, complete these in your own time and at your own pace over approximately eight weeks. Each module contains text, video and audio clips as well as interactive and engaging activities that will help you to gain control of your anxiety.

Everyone will experience changes in our mood from time to time.  We can all feel ‘low’ or ‘down’ and this will be a very normal reaction to different situations life presents us with.

However, if the experience continues over time and interrupts your ability to do the things you want to do, such as work, study, social activities and affects your relationships then it may be depression.  If you think you might be depressed we would always advise you to see your doctor for advice.

The SilverCloud programme for Depression will help you to learn techniques to overcome and manage the symptoms of low mood and depression. Practical strategies help you to tackle unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and the unpleasant physical feelings and sometimes difficult emotions associated with depression. You can learn about:

• Tuning into mood
• Spotting thoughts/distorted thinking
• Boosting behaviour - motivation, activity levels
• Challenging negative thoughts
• Balanced core beliefs

Space from Depression consists of eight modules, complete these in your own time and at your own pace over approximately eight weeks. Each module contains text, video and audio clips as well as interactive and engaging activities that will help you to manage undesirable symptoms and regain control.

Sometimes people can experience anxiety and depression together.  This programme will help you to learn techniques to overcome and manage the symptoms of low mood and anxiety. Practical strategies help you to tackle unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and the unpleasant physical feelings and sometimes difficult emotions associated with depression and anxiety. You can learn about:

• Tuning into mood
• Spotting thoughts/distorted thinking
• Boosting behaviour - motivation, activity levels
• Challenging negative thoughts

Space from Depression and Anxiety consists of ten modules that you can complete in your own time and at your own pace over approximately eight weeks. Each module contains text, video and audio clips as well as interactive and engaging activities that will help you to manage undesirable symptoms and regain control.

We can all worry about our health at times, and it is important to see the doctor to make sure your health is good or that you access any treatment that will be helpful.  Health anxiety is constant concern and worrying about your health status, even when we have been told by a doctor that there is nothing wrong, or we know that our worry is unrealistic.  If your worry interferes with the quality of your daily life or affecting your ability to work or study and your relationships then you do need to seek some support and help. 

Space from Health Anxiety consists of nine modules, complete these in your own time and at your own pace over approximately eight weeks. It includes modules to help you understand your emotions, notice unhelpful behaviours, facing your fears, noticing unhelpful thoughts and challenging those thoughts.  Each module contains text, video and audio clips as well as interactive and engaging activities that will help you to gain control of your anxiety.

A panic attack is when you experience a sudden onset of intense mental and physical symptoms. It can happen very quickly and for no obvious reason.

A panic attack can be very frightening and distressing.

Symptoms might include:

• a racing heartbeat
• feeling faint
• sweating
• nausea
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• trembling
• hot flushes
• chills
• shaky limbs
• a choking sensation
• dizziness
• numbness or pins and needles
• dry mouth
• a need to go to the toilet
• ringing in your ears
• a feeling of dread or a fear of dying
• a churning stomach
• a tingling in your fingers
• feeling like you're not connected to your body

Most panic attacks usually last for between 5 and 20 minutes but some have been reported to last up to an hour.

The number of attacks you have will depend on how severe your condition is. Some people have attacks once or twice a month, while others have them several times a week.  Although panic attacks are frightening, they're not dangerous. 

If you are experiencing panic attacks that have physical symptoms or so that they are interrupting your sense of wellbeing or interrupting your daily living you should see your doctor. 

Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is a long-lasting and overwhelming fear of social situations.  Social anxiety is more than shyness. It's an intense fear that does not go away and affects everyday activities, self-confidence, relationships and work or university life

It's a common problem that usually starts during the teenage years.

For some people it gets better as they get older, although for many it does not go away on its own.

Many people occasionally worry about social situations, but someone with social anxiety feels overly worried before, during and after them.

You may have social anxiety if you:

• dread everyday activities, such as meeting strangers, starting conversations, speaking on the phone, working or shopping 
• avoid or worry a lot about social activities, such as group conversations, eating with company and parties
• always worry about doing something you think is embarrassing, such as blushing, sweating or appearing incompetent
• find it difficult to do things when others are watching – you may feel like you're being watched and judged all the time
• fear criticism, avoid eye contact or have low self-esteem
• often have symptoms such as feeling sick, sweating, trembling or a pounding heart
• have panic attacks where you have an overwhelming sense of fear and anxiety, usually only for a few minutes

This programme will help you to learn to overcome the persistent fear of social situations and how you think others may perceive you. You can:

• Learn to manage feelings of discomfort brought about by excessive self-consciousness that can occur.
• Build techniques and skills to challenge the negative, unhelpful thoughts that trigger and fuel social anxiety, replacing them with more balanced views.

Space from Social Anxiety consists of eight modules, complete these in your own time and at your own pace over approximately eight weeks. Each module contains text, video and audio clips as well as interactive and engaging activities that will help you to gain control of your anxiety.

Imperial College is a high-performing and fast paced environment and it is not uncommon for students, and staff, to feel stressed.  However, over time stress can impact on our behaviours, our cognitive thinking, our emotional experience and our physical wellbeing

Space from Stress has a focus on resilience and stress management helping you to identify and enhance existing strengths and skills, and build new ones. This is a pro-active and practical programme built in conjunction with leading clinical and subject matter experts that provides you with the tools and techniques to manage stress and bring balance into your life. Topics you will learn about include

• assertiveness,
• problem solving,
• self-esteem,
• communication and
• stress management.

Space from Stress consists of eight modules, complete these in your own time and at your own pace over approximately eight weeks. Each module contains text, video and audio clips as well as interactive and engaging activities that will help you to manage stress and build resilience