Staff supporting students Mental Health Toolkit
Resources
The following resources provide links to both support services within the University of Newcastle and, where appropriate, those available in the community. In most cases the best option is to provide details of the service and let the professional staff employed in these roles support the student.
However sometimes you may find that awareness of the other services within our community can be of support to either yourself or the student. If you provide external referrals to students, be mindful that the ideal option would still be to refer students to University of Newcastle support in addition to providing links to external services.
A-F
Accommodation
The University of Newcastle supports students with finding accommodation on campus. There are three types of accommodation:
- On-Campus: Offers a variety of living options to suit our student community at both our Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses.
- Off Campus: For students wanting off campus accommodation, they can select which campus they’d like to be near and how much they want to pay per week.
- Homestay: Program that offers a family-oriented accommodation enabling students to live and interact with local families.
External:
- The Tenancy Advice Line is an information, advocacy and advice service for people of NSW. It has factsheets as well as templates for a variety of letters which could be useful in different tenancy situations.
- Coast Shelter provides emergency accommodation for people on the Central Coast.
Alcohol and Drug Use
- Alcohol and other drug information service - The University of Newcastle offers free and confidential chats with a health professional, for students who are thinking of trying or need advice on alcohol and other drugs. Students can book an appointment here.
- The University of Newcastle also provides confidential counselling support for students managing addition for alcohol, drugs or other problematic behaviours that are negatively impacting the student. Students can access this specialist support by contacting counselling.
- Alcohol and other drugs | The University of Newcastle - for more information on alcohol and other drugs.
External:
- Australian Drug Foundation – factual information on most types of illicit drugs.
- CounsellingOnline – chat online with a counsellor about an alcohol or drug related issues.
- Control Your Drinking Online – DrinkWise, a web-based self-change program.
Anxiety
External:
- Anxieties.com – clear information and practical strategies to challenge a range of anxiety related symptoms.
- CRUfAD – a clinic run by St. Vincent's Hospital with assessment and treatment for adults with anxiety.
Complaints and Problem Solving
- If student’s need support with a complaint or solving an issue there are a range of services to support them here at the University of Newcastle.
External:
- Students have a right to use external agencies, such as the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW, the NSW Ombudsman, Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) or legal process to resolve a complaint.
Crisis Support
- All emergencies should be reported to Security immediately. If life-threatening, call 000 before you call Security. They will ensure the emergency service reaches you wherever you are on campus.
- Our Campus Care program provides information, advice and support in managing inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviours in a safe and confidential environment. Campus Care are not an emergency service.
- The University of Newcastle takes all allegations of misconduct seriously – including allegations of sexually based assault and harassment. The university will not tolerate behaviour that compromises the safety and wellbeing of staff or students. In order to find out more or make a report or provide this information to a student refer to the website.
Depression
External:
- Beyond Blue – resources for those experiencing depressive disorders.
- Black Dog Institute – specialist expertise and information about depression and bipolar disorder.
- Back from the Bluez – information about depression and strategies for managing your mood.
- Mood Gym – helps you identify and overcome problem emotions and develop coping skills.
- myCompass – an interactive self-help service that aims to promote resilience and wellbeing.
- Ybblue – a site that focuses on youth depression.
- Reach Out! – support for young people who are depressed/suicidal or affected by suicide of a loved one.
- The Get Happy Mobile App – an eight to 10 week course involving lessons about managing your mood and coping with depression.
- e-couch – information about emotional problems and how to deal with them.
Eating Disorder
External:
- Recover Your Life – information, advice, tips and support on all types of eating disorders.
- The Butterfly Foundation provides support for individuals with eating disorders and body image issues
Financial
- Students at University of Newcastle are able to receive support in relation to their financial wellbeing. Students can apply for loans or scholarships to support them while they undertake their studies. Students will also benefit from information and guidance with budgeting, reducing bills, avoiding scammers, applying for work etc.
External:
- Centrelink may be able to provide guidance to students in relation to possible payment support and offer specific advice for students.
- Various services offer financial counselling and support to students. Locally the Salvation Army, the Samaritans and Wesley Mission offer free services. Alternatively students may prefer to contact the National Debt Hotline for financial counselling.
Food
- On the Callaghan and Central Coast campuses, the Grocery Hub service provides groceries to students to assist in defraying their weekly living expenses. Students may be referred by a staff member or they can self-refer.
- At Callaghan NUSA offers free breakfast food all day and also operates Free Food Friday in conjunction with Oz Harvest.
External:
- For more free food around the Newcastle area, we encourage you to visit the food map. The map provides locations of charities, grocery assistance organisations and even community gardens.
G-Q
Gambling
- The University of Newcastle provides confidential counselling support for students managing addition for alcohol, drugs or other problematic behaviours that are negatively impacting the student. Students can access this specialist support by contacting counselling.
External:
- Gamblers Anonymous – support group for people experiencing problems resulting from gambling.
- Gambling Help – information and tools to help you take steps towards managing your gambling.
- Wesley Gambling Counselling Services – information for gamblers and their families
Grief and Loss
- The University of Newcastle provides confidential counselling support for all students. Students can access this specialist support by contacting counselling.
External:
- GRIEFLink – information and strategies to cope with grief and death.
- National Association for Loss and Grief – promotes education in loss, grief, bereavement and trauma.
Health
- AccessAbility offer practical assistance and advice to registered students with permanent or temporary disabilities or medical conditions. Our aim is to support students to reach their full academic potential and create an environment that promotes independence and success.
Indigenous
External:
- Nacchocommunique
- Head to Health
- Cultural considerations and communication techniques: Guidelines for providing Mental Health First Aid to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Person
- Beyond Blue The impact of racism on mental health – personal experiences
- Grieving the Aboriginal way - an SBS program
- Awabakal – providing primary health care, aged care, children and family services to Aboriginal people living through the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Hunter valley regions
- Supporting Yourself – Head to Health resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- Beyond Blue: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People -who does it affect -reducing the impact of anxiety and depression
- The Proppa Deadly Project – encourages ASTI people to address anxiety and depression by telling their own stories.
- Mindspot Indigenous Wellbeing Course
- The Stay Strong App is ‘a motivational care planning tool that assists health professionals to promote the wellbeing of Aboriginal clients by considering their social supports, strengths, worries and the goals or changes they would like to make’.
- Grieving the aboriginal way
International Resources
External:
- The Family Safety Pack provides information for people from CALD backgrounds on Australia’s laws regarding domestic and family violence, sexual assault and forced marriage, and a woman’s right to be safe. The pack also includes a low literacy storyboard.
IT
- 24 hour access to IT Support via the IT Service Portal (serviceUON).
Learning Support
Legal
- The University of Newcastle students and community members can access legal support via the University of Newcastle Legal Centre. UNLC runs a variety of services at Callaghan, NeW Space and Ourimbah.
External:
- Law Access Online – legal information and assistance services to help you with your legal issues.
- Lawlink – links to legal information related to NSW.
- LawStuff – Providing free, confidential legal information & help for young people under 25 years.
- Legal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. People can access phone support, face to face appointments and also access a range of resources. Translated resources are also available online.
Men’s Health
External:
- SAMSN runs groups for men who were sexually assaulted as young boys or adolescents.
- Spanner in the works - A Men's Health initiative by the Australian Men's Shed Association.
Mental Health
- The University of Newcastle provides confidential counselling support for all students. Students can access this specialist support by contacting counselling.
External:
- Breathe2Relax app – a portable stress management tool to help stabilise your mood, control your anger and manage your anxiety.
- COPMI – information for children of parents with a mental illness.
- Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) – a specialist early psychosis clinical program.
- GROW – peer supported programs for growth and personal development for those experiencing mental illness.
- Head Space – information for young people and their parents and carers about mental health.
- Health Insite – information about health and work life balance.
- How to survive unbearable stress – information and tips about how to deal with stress, depression, anxiety, sleep problems and fatigue.
- Mental Health Association NSW Inc – information about protecting mental health and mutual support.
- Mental Health Guide - When the Cowpat Hits the Windmill - a tip sheet for students mental health during placement.
- Mind – information and advice to promote and protect good mental health.
- Moodfit - an app to create awareness and good practices to improve mood.
- National Institute of Mental Health – information and research focused on creating better understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.
- SANE Australia – information and support for all aspects of mental illness.
- Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc – information about improving the circumstances and welfare of people living with serious mental illness, as well as their carers and relatives.
Physical Health
- A range of health related services are available at the University of Newcastle including bulk-billing medical centres staffed by doctors and nurses. The university also provides some specialist information on sexual health, sleep and physical exercise/wellbeing.
External:
- If a student has an external GP it is advisable they contact them for support; however the following information may be of support for specific needs.
R-Z
Relationships
- The University of Newcastle provides confidential counselling support for all students. Students can access this specialist support by contacting counselling.
- Students may also seek support via the chaplaincy centre, or through connection with peers via clubs and societies, via volunteer opportunities or by becoming involved in other aspects of campus life.
External:
- Carer Support
- Carer for family member – Carers NSW
- Children issues – Headspace, Youth Heath, GP, CYPMH via MHTAL, FACs
Sexual Health
- Your Sexual Health
- University Medical Centres – Get testing, treatment and help on campus with our medical centres.
External:
- FPA Health – Information about reproductive and sexual health.
- NSW Sexual Health Clinics – Local clinics for sexual health services.
Sleep
External:
- How to sleep well – information about how to get a good night sleep.
- FREE Insomnia Treatment Program - teaches step-by-step strategies for managing insomnia.
Specialist LGBTQIA+
External:
- Gay & Lesbian Counselling Service of NSW – free, anonymous and confidential telephone counselling, information and referral services and support groups for gay men, lesbians, bisexual and transgender persons.
- Twenty 10 – gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender support for young people who are having problems at home or have become homeless.
- PFLAG – support group for parents of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersexual people.
- ACON Hunter Centre – improves the health and wellbeing of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community by proving information to reduce HIV transmission.
Suicide and Self-Harm
External:
- Living is for everyone – a world-class suicide and self-harm prevention resource.
- Suicide: Towards Zero – NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy: Whole of Government approach.
- Reach Out! – supports young people who are depressed/suicidal or affected by suicide of a loved one.
- Contact the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 – a NSW 24-hour mental health phone access service.
- Beyond Blue: Suicide Prevention
- LifeSpan Newcastle - Suicide prevention education and training
- Recover Your Life – a stepping stone to getting through your self harm
Relationship Support
External:
- Family Relationships online – family relationship information about couples and separation.
- Relationships Australia – relationship support services for individuals, families and communities.
Women’s Health
External:
- Hunter Women’s Centre provides services to improve the health and wellbeing of the women of the Hunter.
- Women’s Health NSW aims to improve the health status of women by providing a unique, holistic, woman-centred approach to primary health care.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.