Are you struggling at the moment? Ask Counselling is a simple way to seek advice
There’s no doubt that 2020 has been full of challenges, some of which we’ve never had to face before, either individually or as a University community.
Studying at uni can be full of ups and downs at the best of times – whether it’s to do with assignments, personal problems or your mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic and the move to online study has only added to these existing pressures.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious or unhappy, the first thing to remember is that you’re not alone. Many of your peers are likely feeling the same way or wondering how to cope.
We want you to know that we’re here to support you and that a range of help is available. While this includes personal counselling, you may not be ready to talk to someone one-on-one, which we know can be daunting.
As a first step, we recommend you check out our Ask Counselling blog.
How does Ask Counselling work?
Ask Counselling is an online resource that offers advice on emotional and psychological issues from trained counsellors and social workers. You can either browse existing questions and answers, or you can post your own question for a personalised reply.
The most amazing thing about the blog is that it’s real questions asked by current Deakin students. So anything you read about on Ask Counselling has been a problem faced by someone like you – a student feeling overwhelmed, alone or unsure.
What kinds of questions can I ask?
In a word: anything!
There’s heaps of topics to explore, including anxiety, loneliness, family problems, drug and alcohol issues, online study and exams. They’re all categorised by topic, so you can easily find the area you’re interested in.
You could start by reading the existing discussions and then post your own question if you want specific advice. We’ll respond within 72 hours with a tailored reply to your issue.
Will my name be published?
No, your name won’t be published. We do publish the questions and answers on Ask Counselling so that others can benefit too – but it’s all anonymous, so no one will know what you’ve asked.
What if I want to talk to someone one-on-one?
Ask Counselling doesn’t replace personal counselling – if you feel ready, we recommend you speak to a Deakin Counselling and Psychological Support (CAPS) counsellor. Our team offers free and confidential support to Deakin students from highly skilled psychologists and social workers. It couldn’t be simpler to arrange a counselling session – book online now.
You’ll have a real-time telehealth appointment with a member of the CAPS team, which means you’ll speak to your counsellor over the phone or via Zoom.
Ask Counselling is not a 24-hour service for students in crisis. If you need immediate emergency help, you should contact LifeLine or SuicideLine now.
You can also check out our eWellbeing Hub in DeakinSync. These articles and apps cover everything from mental health to physical health, from keeping fit to learning to relax, from eating well to staying safe.