Student Wellbeing — Summary of Key Activities and Impact (Q1 2025)

Between January and March 2025, the University of Newcastle's Student Wellbeing services delivered a broad range of targeted supports aimed at enhancing student safety, health, and overall wellbeing. These services addressed both preventative and responsive needs across physical, mental, and academic domains. The following outlines the key activities undertaken during Q1 2025, highlighting their scale, reach, and impact across the student community:

• The Counselling and Wellbeing (CAPS) team provided over 2,800 appointments this quarter, with approximately 25% delivered via telehealth. Students received timely support, with most contacted within 48 hours of their request, and satisfaction ratings consistently exceeded 9 out of 10.
• The Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counsellor conducted 40 individual counselling sessions and facilitated four student workshops, alongside weekly outreach efforts within Student Living communities to promote harm reduction and wellbeing.
• Accessibility Services supported nearly 700 students, with about one-third accessing services online. This work ensures students with disabilities receive timely adjustments and that the University meets its legal obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act.
• The Student Advocacy team managed 370 new cases, in addition to over 100 ongoing cases from 2024, reflecting a 65% increase in demand compared to the prior year. Notably, 88% of students provided perfect 10/10 satisfaction ratings on feedback surveys.
• Campus Care oversaw 169 complex safety and conduct referrals, many of which had broad impacts across courses or communities. The team plays an essential role in critical incident management, misconduct processes, and ensuring a safe campus environment.
• The UHS Medical Centre provided over 2,600 GP consultations, nearly 1,200 nurse consultations, and more than 300 fit tests. The centre remains a vital source of culturally appropriate, bulk-billed healthcare, especially for international students who make up about 30% of patients.
• The Health Promotion team engaged approximately 700 students through workshops, campaigns, and pop-up events covering mental health, sexual health, nutrition, and physical activity. These efforts were strengthened through collaborations with UNSA, Wollotuka, IFS, and academic partners.
• Talk Campus, the University’s 24/7 global peer mental health platform, recorded 9,660 sessions, with students spending an average of seven minutes per interaction. Four high-risk cases were escalated to clinical care, highlighting the platform’s role in early detection and intervention.
• The University Crisis Line (UCL) received 103 calls between January and March, with about one-third requiring active crisis support. The service continues to play a critical role in providing immediate after-hours assistance to students in need.