Page 69 - 2025 JCH Student Handbook

How to tell if something is up

Mental Mental health factors can present differently in different people. Warning signs (college edition)
health Here are some common concerns: excessive drinking drop in functioning
Anxiety or substance use (like uni marks)

Anxiety is persistent feelings of stress and nervousness, even when there might weight change (can
not be any stressors. In some cases it can make it hard to cope . nervousness be gain or loss)

You might: have feel dizzy begin to avoid feel like you staying in room for decreased or lack
stress/worry situations can't breathe long time periods of interest
get panic that you can't have a struggle to feel
attacks continuous
control racing heart concentrate sick fatigue mood changes

Depression change in eating decrease in

Depression is persistent low moods and feelings of sadness, and habits participation
hopelessness which can impact everyday life.

You might: feel worthless withdraw from have no motivation Worried
feel sad or low social situations or interest in things about a If you notice any of the warning signs
for longer than feel fatigued/ have changes feel everything is friend? or are worried about a friend you can:
two weeks sluggish in appetite an effort
listen non-judgementally: sometimes all people ne
Identity Questions is to be heard and to talk to someone
Undergoing a big change in living situations and transitioning to uni can have a
big impact on sense of self. This could be about gender, sexuality, culture, let them know that you and others (i.e.tutors,
religion, life goals, life path, career, to name a few. family, staff) are here for them: it can be really

You might: feel alienated isolating, so remind them of support
feel scared have changes feel trapped or alone encourage them to come with you and speak
in mood
and worried feel like no one can to a tutor or the Deputy: Staff can support you
feel confused feel lost help or understand you and your friend. All conversations are

confidential unless someone is at risk of harm
Relationships Questions
Healthy relationships are important for good mental health. Although they can encourage them to seek professional help:
vary, healthy friendships and romantic relationship ones usually have: professional support is available (see the
mutual and they make counselling section)
understanding trust honesty equality you feel good If you need advice, you can talk to Deputy or
If you notice one of your relationships might not be healthy, you can talk to tutors, while keeping your friend anonymous.
the Deputy, one of the tutors, or call Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277.

Counselling There are so many ways to get help, one Extensions Special Consideration
of the main ways is through counselling!
Extensions Short-term support Long-term/ongoing
Well, who can I go to? (a few days, excluding (less than 6 weeks impact) support
exams and take homes) (more than 6 weeks impact)
Unimelb
the Deputy can
provide a referral After getting a referral counselling and feeling overwhelmed, Unexpected Chronic health issue
to someone from a doctor, you psychological struggling to meet circumstances (i.e. (this applies to
quickly if it's can go to a private services (CAPS) the deadlines sudden illness or mental illness too)
can provide short
urgent. service, or go to ones Contact your uni bereavement) You can apply for
such as Headspace. term, free help. tutor or coordinator! ongoing support.
They might want
What happens?
documentation, but You will need to provide documentation.
you can share discuss your learn ways to they can often help Have a chat to the Deputy and/or Bee –
your story, and concerns and building on problem solve without it. they can help work through it with you!
your counsellor problems strengths and cope
will ask some Sometimes you only need a few You don’t need to feel bad about needing
questions extra support, it's here to help you.
sessions and it can help a lot!