Counselling Service Report
List of Contents Page 2
List of Tables 3
2007-2008 Overall Statistical Survey 4
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Groups
1.3 Evaluation 5
1.4 Sources of Referral 6
1.5 Publicity and Outreach 7
1.6 Statistical Data
1.6.1 Ethnicity of U.K. C.Service Users 8
1.6.2 Overseas Students
1.6.3 Gender balance
1.6.4 Self-Referral 9
1.6.5 Referral Out
1.6.6 Age-Range
1.6.7 Attendance Status 10
1.6.8 Year of Course
1.6.9 Degree Status
1.6.10 Mature Student Status
1.7 Presenting Problems Data 11
1.7.1 Depression
1.7.2 Anxiety 12
1.7.3 Family of origin Problems
1.7.4 Identity Issues
1.7.5 Loss Issues
1.7.6 Transitional Issues 13
1.7.7 Self-Destructiveness
1.7.8 Psychiatric Issues
2.0 Future Developments 14

List of Tables
Table 1 Comparative Totals 2005
– 2008 5
Table 2 Sources of Referral to Counselling Service 6
Table 3 Ethnicity of U.K. Service Users (Colchester) 8
Table 4 Age Range 9
Table 5 Attendance Status 10
Table 6 Year of Course
Table 7 Degree Status
Table 8 Mature Student Status
Table 9 Presenting Problems Graph 11
Table 10 Depression Statistics
Table 11 Anxiety Statistics 12

1.1
In the academic year 2007 – 2008 254 students were seen at the Service for individual counselling and 41 were seen as members of the different groups that are run by the Service bringing the total to 295 , an increase of 19 students or 6.8% from the previous year and 50 students or 20% from 2005-
06 .
Table 1
Comparative totals 2005 - 2008
Total Nos . Individual Group < Prev.Year
2005 - 06
2006 -07
2007 -08
245
276
295
245
252
254
0
24
41
+ 31 / 9.7%
+ 19 / 6.8%
+ 50 / 20.4%
(< 2005-06)
1.2
The Service at Colchester has seen the continued development of groups this year in addition to the one to one counselling sessions routinely offered.
One group was a therapeutic ongoing long term group run by Nick Hay and Vicky Djordjevic and another, run by Vicky Djordjevic was targeted specifically at PHD students . A third group, run by Lee McOwan, has also been run specifically for students with “writer’s block” which ran on a termly basis as did the PHD group.
All these groups have proven very popular with students as can be seen from the increased numbers attending as shown above.
Groups provide an invaluable therapeutic alternative for students and offer a welcome addition to the provision of ongoing individual counselling which is the vital foundation of the Service.

1.3
Student evaluations after the end of the counselling process have been received from 74 students and these continue to provide an invaluable tool in helping us to improve our service. 73 of these evaluations were highly positive in nature which is very encouraging for all who work at the Service and also indicates that the service we provide is appropriate, timely and effective. The issue raised in the less positive response have been very carefully addressed and further steps taken to attempt to rectify a particular problem raised.
A small sample of some of the comments is included below:
“It is quite likely that without undergoing counselling I would not have been able to continue studying at university. I am very grateful that this process was available to me.”
“I would like to thank the Counselling Service for all you have done for me. I don’t think I would still be here without your support.”
“..I believe it is because of my counselling I got through my degree and will soon start my M.A. at Essex.”
“My counsellor showed empathy exactly when it was needed and empowered me when I needed strength to get over my weakness. I have learned that life could be better and is worth living.”
“I’m very pleased with how the counselling helped me identify and cope with my problems logically”
“All the people involved in this process are wonderful and helpful and instantly make you feel comf ortable and welcomed…..I would like to thank all the members of staff and especially [the administrator]who was always there to facilitate our needs and welcome us.”
“Excellent service, understanding and brilliant. Thank you so much.”
PhD Group Attendee
“”…I felt more motivated to finish my thesis as soon as possible.”

1.4
Statistics derived from evaluation forms received:
(n=74) (Occasionally more than one source indicated)
Table 2
2007 - 2008
Word of Mouth 26
Staff Member 14
Website 13
Uni/Service Publication 12
Can’t Remember 6
Health Centre 3
Fresher’s Week 1
Poster in Room 1
Student Support Office 1
Nightline Website 1
Other 1
4
2
1
1
1
2
2006 -
2007
22
10
14
11
9

1.5
A continued effort has been made to improve the promotion of the Service to students including using e-mail, within University guidelines, to advertise the different groups available and liaising with the Student Support Office to facilitate the optimum approach for such publicity. The Student Support
Newsletter provides an essential platform for advertising our services.
Liaison with the “Learning and Teaching” unit within “Educational
Development Services” has also taken place to share ideas and ensure accurate and targeted publicity is developed for the various groups that both the Unit and the Service run.
A variety of Counselling Service leaflets and pamphlets continues to be developed and distributed to the different departments, welfare and support agencies on campus.
The Counselling service website ( www.essex.ac.uk/counselling ) is also frequently updated and modified and contains links to various useful sites, both internal and external, which students can easily access. All information about the services available, including groups, can be found on the website.

1.6.1
Ethnicity of U.K. C.S. students (Colchester Campus)
Table 3
White 86.5% White
Black (African) 3.0% Asian (Indian)
86.5%
4.0%
(06-07)
86%
2.5%
Black (Caribbean)
Black (Other)
Asian (Pakistani)
Asian (Indian)
Asian (Chinese)
Asian (Bangladeshi)
Other
1.0%
1.5%
1.0%
4.0%
1.5%
1.0%
0.5%
Black (African)
Black (Other)
Asian (Chinese)
Black (Caribbean)
Asian (Pakistani)
Asian (Bangladeshi)
Other
3.0%
1.5%
1.5%
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
0.5%
The ethnic spread remains fairly consistent with previous years although uptake of counselling for both Chinese and Asian Indian groups has improved as hoped. We strive to improve our outreach to specific ethnic groups which may be under-represented.
1.6.2
46 overseas students were seen during this period.
1.6.3
The gender balance remains typical of Services nationally:
Female 71%
Male 29%
3.5%
2.0%
0%
2.5%
2%
1.5%
0%

35+
Age
Range
16-18
19-21
22-25
26-30
31-35
1.6.4
Self referral remains the most common route of referral:
(Note: there may have been more than one source of referral)
Self referral 89%
Friend 5%
Student Support Office 4%
Academic Staff 2%
Students Union 2%
Health Centre 1%
Other 1%
1.6.5
The routes for referring out from the Service are distributed between 4 main identifiable areas of resource:
(% total number students)
Student Support Office 6%
Health Centre 5%
Academic Staff/Departments 2%
Other 2%
Open Road 1%
1.6.6
The age range for the last two years of those presenting for counselling is as follows:
Table 4
2007-
2008
6
77
66
45
2006-2007
6
102
64
39
27
33
17
24

1.6.7
Attendance Status
Table 5
2007-
2008
2006-2007
F/T
P/T
238
13
236
12
N/A 3
1.6.8
Year of Course
Table 6
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4/5/6
Pre Course
Post Course
Intern.Prog.
Intermitting
Socr/Era/Temp
N/A
97
58
71
2
0
0
4
2
17
3
4
0
2
4
2
3
06-07
79
83
63
13
1
1.6.9
Degree Status
Table 7
2007-
2008
U/G 138
2006-
2007
157
P/G
Intermitting
114
2
93
1
Other 1 1
1.6.10
Mature student status
Table 8
2007-2008
38
2006-2007
35

1.7
Table 9
Percentage of clients with at least one problem in area
60
50
52
51.6
45.3 44.5
40
30
36.6
32.7
29.5 29.1
20 17.7
16.5 16.1
13.4
11
10
5.5
5.5
3.9
3.5
3.1
3.1
1.6
1.6
1.2
0.8
0.8
0
D ep re ssi on
An xi et y
Id en tit y rig in
Issu
R el es at io
Fa mi ly/
O ip s es nsh
Lo ss
Issu te
R el at io
Tra
In tima nsh nsi tio ip s na l I ssu
Ab es use
Issu es
Tra uma
St ud y ive ne ss
W
Se ork/ lf-d est ru ct
C omp ul si ve
Be ci al
R el
So ha vi ou r at io nsh
Ea ip s tin g
D iso ork rd ers
R el at io nsh
W el ip
W s es es
Ph fa re ysi
Issu ea lth
Issu ca l H
Fa mi io nsh ly
R el at
Psych ia ip s tri c
Issu
H es ara ssme nt al
D iff icu
Se xu
Sp eci fic
Le arn in lti es g
D iff icu lti es
Ad n op tio
Te rmi na tio n
Pre gn an cy
0
(n = 254)
The above table shows the number of clients with at least one presenting problem within the designated categories. Thus, by way of example, 52% of all clients presented with symptoms of depression apart from any other problems they may have discussed.
Below is a sample of some of the principal figures within some of the categories: (2006 – 2007 figures are shown in red)
1.7.1
Table 10
Depression (52% of total =133 students) (50.3% =127)
% within
“Depressed” category
Numbers of
Students
(n=133)
% of Total
CS Student
Nos.(n=254)
Moderate
Mild
Mood
Disorder
Severe
(Clinical
Depression)
41%
32%
16%
11%
(39%)
(39%)
(11%)
(12%)
55
42
21
15
(49)
(49)
(14)
(16)
22%
16%
8%
6%
1.7.2
Table 11
Anxiety (51.6% of total=153 students) (49.2% =154)
(19%)
(19%)
(5.5%)
(6%)

General
Exam/Study
Stress
Panic Attacks
Phobias
% within
“Anxiety” category
56%
24%
(54%)
(18%)
18% (23%)
2% (5%)
Numbers of
Students
(n =148)
88
36
(68)
(22)
26 (28 )
3 (6%)
% of Total CS
Student
Nos.(n=254)
34.6%
9%
(27%)
(8%)
7% (11%)
1% (2%)
1.7.3
Family of Origin Problems 60% (152) of Total CS Numbers
53% (133)
% Total CS Nos
Current = 53% (80) 77 31.5% 30.5%
Past = 47% (72) 56 28% 22%
1.7.4
Identity issues 51% (130) of Total CS Numbers
44% (112)
% Total CS Nos
Self-Esteem = 58% (76) 68 30% 27%
Identity = 25% (33) 24 13% 9.5%
Cultural Identity = 11.5% (15) 12 6% 4.7%
Sexual Identity = 5% (6) 8 2.3% 3%
1.7.5
Loss Issues 39% (98) of Total CS Numbers
30% (75)
% Total CS Nos.
General = 31% (30) 9 12% 3.5%
Relationship End = 29% (28) 35 11% 14%
Bereavement = 23% (23) 25 9% 10%
Separation Anxiety = 17% (17) 6 7% 2%

1.7.6
Transitional Issues 34% (86) of Total CS Numbers
30% (76)
% Total CS Nos.
Career/Life Planning = 44% (38) 33 15% 13%
Loneliness = 17% (15) 18 6% 7%
Leaving University = 17% (15) 7 6% 3%
Adjusting to University = 14% (12) 11 5% 4%
Homesickness = 7% (6) 7 2% 3%
1.7.7
Self-Destructiveness 17% (44) of Total CS Numbers
11% (27)
% Total CS Nos.
Self-Harm = 52% (23) 14 9% 5.5%
Suicidal Ideation = 34% (15) 8 6% 3%
Suicide Intent/Attempt =14% (6) 5 2% 2%
1.7.8
Psychiatric Issues 4% (9) of Total CS Numbers
8% (3)
% Total CS Nos.
Other = 45% (4) 5 1.5% 2%
Personality Disorder = 33% (3) 3 1.0% 1%
Schizophrenia = 11% (1) 0 .4% 0
Psychosis = 11% (1) 0 .4% 0
As ever, a higher propor tion of the counsellors’ time and stress comes from the students presenting with mental health issues which frequently incorporate an element of self-harm and/or suicidal ideation. Self-harm and suicidal ideation have markedly increased this year by 3.5% and 3% respectively. Issues of self-esteem comprised nearly a third of all presenting issues during this period, a rise of nearly 7 percentage points on last year.

2.0
Future Developments

To further develop links with the Senior and Deputy Advisers (Mental
Health) and with local community mental health teams. The Senior
Adviser to take part in the training day mentioned below.

To attempt to establish more permanent links with a local psychiatrist to provide psychiatric supervision and support, particularly with regard to therapeutic processes. It is hoped this would also improve referral efficiency.

To further encourage counselling staff to develop more contact with the
University and thus further develop useful “networking” connections

To address the issue of the need for more space for the Service

To further links with University counsellors in the Eastern Region by running a Training Day on mental health Issues in university counselling organised by Vicky Djordjevic and Rosa Waller.
Barbara Fisher
Head of Counselling Service
October 2008
Staff at the Counselling Service
Counsellors
Vicky Djordjevic
Nick Hay
Lee MCowan
Rosa Waller
Administrator
Heather Farrow
Head of Counselling Service
Barbara Fisher