RUOK? Asking the question “are you OK?” encourages us to have regular, meaningful conversations about life’s ups and downs. So let’s start that conversation.
Twenty per cent of Australians have experienced mental illness over the past 12 months, and graduate students, in particular, are at a greater risk. A recent study from Belgium found that one in two PhD students experiences psychological distress, and one in three is at risk of psychiatric disorder (Levecque et al. 2017). It is important for us to realise that mental health issues are common, and to check in on each other, which can be as simple as asking “RUOK?”. This article provides a guide on how to respond if you ask someone if they are OK, and they say no.
Most importantly, if you are suffering, there is help available. All five of our CLEX universities offer free counselling services for both students and staff. The contact details are listed below.
Within CLEX, there are many of us trained as mental health first aiders. We cannot provide professional medical treatment, but we can assist someone developing a mental health problem by providing comfort and promoting recovery, and by providing support and information on how to get medical help. We can also offer help during periods of difficulties with coping mentally. We are available at any time to all within the centre, either in person or by email or phone. Our details are below.
All of our universities offer mental health first aid training so if you feel you could contribute by becoming a mental health first aider, please sign up for one of the courses.
Support available
UNSW
- For students: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Phone: (02) 9385 5418
- For staff: Employee Assistance Program. Phone: 1300 360 364
ANU
- For students: ANU Counselling Centre. Phone: (02) 6125 2442
- For staff: Employee Assistance Program.
Monash
- For students: Counselling Services. Phone: (03) 9905 3020
- For staff: Employee Assistance Program
University of Melbourne
- For students: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Phone: (03) 8344 6927
- For staff: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Phone: (03) 8344 6927
University of Tasmania
- For students: Counselling Service.
- For staff: Employee Assistance Program.
CLEX mental health first aiders
- Melissa Hart
- Christian Jakob
- Julie Arblaster
- Sook Chur
- Dietmar Dommenget
- Roseanna McKay
- Shayne McGregor
- Pete Strutton
- Christine Fury
- Todd Lane
- Stephen Grey
- Jenny Rislund
- Benjamin Henley
- Stacey Hitchcock
- Robyn Schofield
A reminder that you should all nurture your physical and mental health and take breaks from your work by taking your annual leave. We all get 20 days annual leave/year as part of our scholarship/position. Please take it.