Mental Health Support for Staff

The University of Newcastle is committed to creating a psychologically safe, healthy and supportive environment for all staff and students. This includes promoting positive mental health, raising awareness of mental health conditions, identifying and addressing psychosocial risks, and providing appropriate support for those experiencing mental health challenges. In 2025, to support staff wellbeing, the University provides access to free, confidential counselling, peer support and mental health resources, alongside initiatives that encourage positive mental health and wellbeing across the University community.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The University of Newcastle provides a free, professional and confidential counselling service to support staff and their families with personal and work-related challenges. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers access to qualified mental health professionals, with flexible options for receiving support.

Services available through the EAP include:

  • Confidential counselling for staff: Up to six free counselling sessions per calendar year to support employees with personal or work-related concerns.
  • Support for immediate family members: Up to three free counselling sessions per calendar year for eligible spouses, partners and dependent children aged 25 years and under who are still living at home.
  • Flexible appointment options: Counselling is available face-to-face at NewPsych's Newcastle CBD offices or affiliated regional locations, as well as remotely via telephone or secure telehealth.
  • 24/7 crisis support: Around-the-clock access to critical response and triage services where there is a risk of harm.
  • Leader Assist Service: Confidential professional consultation for University managers, supervisors and leaders to help them navigate psychological and mental health concerns in the workplace.

The program is supported by the University's KRA 2.9 Guidelines for Employee Assistance Program, which outline eligibility and access to funded counselling services for University workers and their immediate families.

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Mental Health First Aid and peer support

The University of Newcastle supports a psychologically safe and healthy workplace by providing staff with access to trained peer supporters who can offer initial assistance, guidance and referrals to appropriate mental health services.

The University's Mental Health First Aid Officer Register provides contact details for accredited staff members who are available to offer confidential peer support. Mental Health First Aid Officers can help colleagues experiencing mental health difficulties by providing initial support and connecting them with relevant University services or external professional assistance.

Mental Health First Aid Officers are available during business hours (9 am–5 pm), with out-of-hours assistance accessible through the University's EAP.

The University also offers Mental Health First Aid training to equip staff with the knowledge and skills to recognise common mental health concerns, provide appropriate initial support and guide colleagues towards professional help. This training helps build mental health awareness and strengthens the University's network of workplace peer support.

Promoting good mental health in 2025

In May 2025, the University held University Mental Health Day with three days of activities for staff and students across its Callaghan and NUspace campuses. The program encouraged open conversations about mental health, raised awareness of available support services and provided opportunities for members of the University community to connect and engage in wellbeing activities.

Activities included mental health information and resources provided by the University's Health Promotion Coordinator, a Creative Ground wellbeing activity, and opportunities to connect with the University Counselling team and mental health organisations including Headspace and Batyr. The event complemented the University's ongoing mental health services by promoting awareness, social connection and help-seeking, contributing to a supportive and inclusive environment for staff and students.

Ongoing wellbeing resources

The University of Newcastle recognises the importance of supporting staff wellbeing and providing accessible resources to help manage personal and workplace challenges. The University's staff wellbeing webpages provide a central source of information on mental health services, confidential counselling, wellbeing initiatives, training opportunities and practical resources to support staff health and wellbeing.

Through these resources and its broader mental health initiatives, the University encourages staff to seek support when needed, develop positive wellbeing practices and maintain a healthy and supportive working environment.