Mental Health

Addressing mental health problems often entails a wholistic view of managing body, social connections and thought processes.

As well as exploring the material above, you can dig a little deeper and take some detailed information from the booklets below or grab some of our resources on managing mental health problems.

Printed booklets are available at Counselling Support offices at North Terrace, Roseworthy and Waite campuses. All the mental health related books have BLUE covers.  Note: Printed booklets currently unavailable.

The following pages on the wellbeing hub website will provide additional information that may help you.

Page Description
Extension policy for health conditions at AU Review the criteria for assessment extensions based on mental health conditions (this is classified as 'medical circumstances'). 
The breath The breath is a remarkably powerful mind-body connection which we can use effectively to manage our physical and mental health.
Mind & body We spend much of our lives constantly connected to events, screens and people - forgetting to be present with ourselves.
Exercise Regular exercise may be one of the most important things you can do for your health.
Be positive

This is doing stuff that feels good, having fun, 'letting the good times roll'. More than this, it can include maximising good feelings like curiosity, appreciation, compassion and wonder.

Sleep better Sleep can help us feel refreshed, re-energised, help with focus and concentration, and improve memory, whilst also allowing our body and mind to do necessary repair work.
Useful Techniques

Fortunately there are many useful techniques and skills that can help us function and adapt to our particular circumstances. 

Digital tools and apps

From the Black Dog Institute, online tools and apps to help support wellbeing including:

  • Headgear - 30 day mental wellbeing and resilience challenge
  • iBobbly - Indigenous wellbeing self help
  • MyCompass - tools to support your mental health

Services providing face to face treatment

Services providing other forms of support

Services providing online treatment 

Emergency services

mental health first aid is for everyone, everywhere

Mental Health First Aid Training

This course teaches people (18 years and over) how to offer initial support to adults who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolved.

The course curriculum is evidence-based, as informed by the MHFA guidelines 

What is the standard mental health first aid course?

Course participants learn about the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems, how to provide initial help, where and how to get professional help, what sort of help has been shown by research to be helpful.

Topics covered 

  • Depression
  • Anxiety problems
  • Psychosis
  • Substance use problems
  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
  • Non-suicidal self-injury
  • Panic attacks
  • Traumatic events
  • Severe psychotic states
  • Severe effects from alcohol or other drug use
  • Aggressive behaviours

Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.

Course format and registration

  • The course runs over 2 consecutive days as face to face training (generally from 10am to 4:30pm)
  • Training is free for students and staff.
  • Email Jill Allen mhfa@adelaide.edu.au to register for one of the course dates below or for further information.

Who can attend 

  • Staff and Students of the University of Adelaide (18 years or over) - there are no prerequisites for this course.

Refresher

  • Refresher courses are now being offered to those who have completed there MHFA certificate within the last three years. If you completed your certificate more than three years ago, you will need to contact Mental Health First Aid Australia to confirm your eligibility. There may be some leeway of a few months over the three year period but this is up to MHFA Australia to determine. This course is also free for both staff and students and runs for approximately 4.5 hours. 
  • Email Jill Allen mhfa@adelaide.edu.au to register for one of the course dates below or for further information.

Course dates 2024

  • Staff dates

    FEBRUARY
    • Thursday 8  & Friday 9 (Currently Full but please ask about our waitlist)

    MARCH

    • Thursday 7 & Friday 8
    • Monday 18 & Tuesday 19

    MAY

    • Monday 6 & Tuesday 7 (Currently Full but please ask about our waitlist)

    JULY

    • Tuesday 16 & Wednesday 17 (Currently Full but please ask about our waitlist)

    AUGUST

    • Monday 5 & Tuesday 6
    • Wednesday 21 & Thursday 22

    OCTOBER

    • Monday 21 & Tuesday 22

    NOVEMBER

    • Thursday 21 & Friday 22

    DECEMBER

    • Wednesday 4 & Thursday 5

     

  • Student dates

    FEBRUARY
    • Monday 12 & Tuesday 13
    APRIL
    • Monday 8 & Tuesday 9
    • Tuesday 16 & Wednesday 17

    JUNE

    • Thursday 6 & Friday 7
    JULY
    • Monday 1 & Tuesday 2
    • Thursday 11 & Friday 12

    SEPTEMBER

    • Monday 16 & Tuesday 17
    • Tuesday 24 & Wednesday 25

    OCTOBER

    • Thursday 31 & Friday 1 November

    NOVEMBER

    • Monday 25 & Tuesday 26

     

  • Refresher Course

    FEBRUARY
    • Monday 12 10am - 2pm

    MAY

    • Monday 13 10am - 2pm

    AUGUST

    Tuesday 13 10am - 2pm

    NOVEMBER

    • Wednesday 13 10am - 2pm
  • Roseworthy Campus Dates

    FEBRUARY

    • Monday 12 & Tuesday 13 (Students Only)

    JULY

    • Monday 1 & Tuesday 2

    NOVEMBER

    • Monday 18 & Tuesday 19

Being Well, Living Well is a self paced, MyUni course designed to support your wellbeing at uni. It contains evidence based, easy to read resources and activities to work through, and covers topics like:

  • Study life balance
  • Settling into uni
  • Eating well
  • Being active
  • Managing stress and anxiety
  • Perfectionism
  • Building confidence
  • Online safety, healthy relationships and bystander awareness
  • Financial wellbeing.

You can enrol at any time during your study and complete modules that work for you.

ENROL