Wellbeing Plan
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with a situation none of us have ever experienced before. We recognise that for our entire community, and especially our students, life is changing very quickly, and this brings with it a heightened degree of uncertainty, stress and anxiety.
We understand that our students are:
- adapting to a new method of online learning
- isolated from their peers and networks due to social distancing
- balancing financial burdens and housing pressures
- managing news overload, general community worry, and uncertainty about their future
We’ve been working closely with our students, the Adelaide University Union, the Student Representative Council, and Adelaide University Sport to create a Wellbeing Plan that will offer students a comprehensive resource. We support a holistic approach to wellbeing. This means we are focused on promoting resilience, and preventing or reducing the impact of ill health or mental health.
The four goals of our Wellbeing Plan are to:
- Reduce isolation by helping students stay connected, virtually
- Promote the importance of staying well, maintaining nutrition, and staying active
- Help students manage stress, anxiety and other emotions related to COVID-19
- Encourage healthy study routines and a balanced lifestyle
This plan is for all of our students. However, we recognise that individual circumstances and backgrounds can have a significant impact on coping capacity. Specialised cohort support is important to address specific needs. We will be creating additional strategies and developing collaboration with specialised community supports for:
- International students
- First-year students
- Primary carers
- Sponsored students
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Low-SES students
- Mature-age students
- HDR students
- Women
- LGBTIQ students
- Refugee and humanitarian students
We are using a Stepped Care approach. This means we can ensure that the right level of support is available to meet students’ needs, at the point in time that they need it. For our students, we are delivering resources and support in three key areas:
Crisis support
During University hours call Student Life Counselling Support on +61 8 8313 5663.
After hours contact the University Crisis Line on 1300 167 652, or text 0488 884 197 (Monday to Friday, 5pm to 9am, 24-hour weekend support).
Direct personalised support
Students can access key University support services through remote channels, including phone, email and Zoom.
Building community capacity
Students can:
- Access online resources and virtual engagement opportunities to proactively support good mental health
- get involved in peer-to-peer support to build a strong sense of community.
University resources
We understand that support services are critical to our students’ success. In recent weeks we have transitioned and scaled up key support services from face-to-face to online delivery. This means our students can access the resources they need to stay healthy, well, and engaged with their learning.
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Counselling Support
Students can connect with our team of qualified counsellors for a one-on-one online appointment via Zoom, or by phone on +61 8 8313 5663.
The first step is to complete the counselling registration form. One of the Triage and Assessment Counsellors will get in touch with you, usually within one – two business days.
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University Crisis Line
Students with an urgent need for help can access after hours support (5pm – 9am), and 24 hour weekend support. Call the University Crisis Line on 1300 167 652, or text 0488 884 197.
Please contact the Crisis Line if you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, intense emotional distress, or mental health issues.
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Student Care
Students can contact Student Care for independent advice, information, welfare and advocacy, particularly if they have concerns around their study, housing or employment.
Student Care is run by YouX, and offers appointments by phone on +61 8 8313 5430, online via Zoom, or email.
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Disability Support
Students who need personalised support to manage a disability or medical condition can seek support from the Disability Support team, with appointments available by phone or online via Zoom.
To set up an appointment, contact the team on +61 8 8313 5962, by email or by completing the Online Registration Form.
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International Student Support
The International Student Support team has expanded its online support for international students.
Students can connect with the ISS team through:
- Live chat: Monday – Friday, 10am – 12pm and 2pm - 4pm
- Virtual drop-in: Monday – Friday, 2pm – 4pm
- Phone: +61 8 8313 4828
- Submitting an online enquiry
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Wellbeing Hub
Students can access a collection of resources covering: study tips, mental health, body health, finding meaning, relationships, and links to other support services. There are also corona corner resources specifically designed to address the effects Covid-19 has had on psychological health.
Students can also subscribe to weekly wellbeing tips, and find out what students are saying on the ‘what messes with your head’ blog.
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Adelaide Unicare
Adelaide Unicare has a medical clinic on the University’s North Terrace campus. Students are bulk-billed, and international students are billed in accordance with their health insurance company (most services are covered for students with Allianz OSHC).
Students can book an appointment online or by calling the clinic on +61 8 8313 5050. The initial appointment will be by phone, and a face-to-face consultation can then be arranged if necessary.
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Wirltu Yarlu
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can connect with the Wirltu Yarlu support team by calling +61 8 8313 3623 or email wirltu.yarlu@adelaide.edu.au.
Student Support Officers can help you overcome challenges, with culturally safe, personal and academic advice and support.
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Adelaide University Sport
Sporting clubs are an integral part of creating positive, active and connected communities. AU Sport offers students the ability to stay motivated through UniMoves (a home exercise challenge) and the AU Sport Home Programs Facebook group.
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Fitness Hub
Students can access personal training sessions, group fitness classes and nutrition seminars all via Zoom.
Students can explore our new free fitness videos on the Fitness Hub Facebook page.
Gym equipment is also available for rent, contact the Fitness Hub for more details.
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Chaplaincy
All students are welcome to contact a Chaplain for support. Anglican, Baptist and Lutheran Chaplains are available, and all Chaplains welcome the opportunity to provide pastoral care and counsel to students of any religious denomination.
External resources
There are a range of organisations who offer key support services relevant to our students. Students can connect with:
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Lifeline
Lifeline offers telephone, text and webchat services to support mental health and wellbeing. Students can connect with Lifeline by:
- Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
- Text: 0477 13 11 14 (6pm – midnight/7 nights)
- Webchat
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BeyondBlue
Students can access free counselling with mental health professionals by:
- Phone: 1300 224 636, 24/7
- Online forums
- Online chat (available 3pm - 12am/7 days)
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Be Well Plan
The Be Well Plan was released in March 2020 as a collaboration between researchers and mental health professionals from the SAHMRI Wellbeing and Resilience Centre and the Orama Institute at Flinders University.
The program offers tailored solutions to strengthen mental health. It operates on a “pay what you can” model, and is made up of five online sessions (10 hours total).
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Headspace
This website offers resources to help students manage stress related to COVID-19.
Additional resources offer targeted support for specific wellbeing matters, including:
- Mental health
- Domestic violence and sexual assault
- Drug and alcohol issues
- Sexuality and sexual health