Need advice or support? Try our free counselling services
Studying at uni is an amazing time in your life but it’s not always easy – it’s a big adjustment and can sometimes be a tricky balance. In recent times, the ongoing uncertainty of COVID-19 has also added heaps of extra challenges into the mix.
If you ever start to feel like things are getting too much in your personal or uni life, or you just want some professional and objective advice, we encourage you to seek help. Did you know there’s a range of free support available at Deakin?
Talk to someone
The old saying, ‘A problem shared is a problem halved’ is actually true – one of the best things you can do is share your concerns with someone else. You may feel most comfortable opening up to a trusted friend or family member, or you could talk to one of Deakin’s student mental health experts, who understand the uni landscape and are experienced in helping students thrive.
Our Counselling and Psychological Support (CAPS) team is here to assist all Deakin students located in Australia. You can access up to six free confidential sessions, where you’ll be able to talk about what’s on your mind, learn some coping strategies and discover how to manage your wellbeing.
Our highly qualified counsellors are here to help all students, no matter your background or current situation. It’s a safe, respectful and inclusive space, so book online now to arrange a real-time telehealth appointment – you’ll speak to your counsellor over the phone or via Zoom.
We also have some specialist counsellors available for particular students – you just need to select your relevant cohort when you book:
- First Nations students can see Kate Towart, Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Counsellor
- School of Nursing and Midwifery students can see Brenda Nyoni, SoNM Counsellor
- School of Medicine students can see Jacqueline Payne, SoM Counsellor.
Get professional advice online
If personal counselling isn’t for you, or just seems a little daunting right now, we encourage you to look at our Ask Counselling blog. This online resource offers advice on emotional and psychological issues from Deakin’s CAPS team. You can either browse existing questions and answers, or post your own question for a personalised reply.
The best 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.
There’s heaps of topics to explore, including anxiety, loneliness, family problems, 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. A CAPS counsellor will respond within 72 business hours with a tailored reply to your issue.
And don’t worry – 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.
We also recommend you check out our eWellbeing Hub in DeakinSync for some awesome digital resources that may help you to feel better, both physically and emotionally.
In an emergency
If you ever need immediate emergency help, please contact LifeLine or SuicideLine straight away, or dial Triple Zero (000).