Who to Contact #
Everyone needs a helping hand once in a while and it's not always easy to know who to contact in these times of need. Never be ashamed to shout out for assistance, it shows great strength to admit if you are struggling. Get help at the first sign of your own distress, no problem is too small.
Academic #
FHMS Student Support Centre
For academic related problems or problems that may affect your ability to attend university, get in contact with your tutor directly, your Year Level Coordinator or the FHMS Support Centre as early as possible.
The FHMS Student Support Centre is located on Ground Floor, Helen Mayo North. Students are welcome to call to make an appointment, send through an email, discuss things over the phone, or drop in to talk whenever the office is open.
Opening Hours: 9:30am - 4:00pm Mon to Fri (except Wed, which is 10:30am - 4:00pm)
Email: askhealthsc@adelaide.edu.au
Phone: 08 8313 0273
Program Advisors: Aleksandra Payne, Carmen Rayner & Stephanie Rogers
Program advisors are for students having doubts about continuing with medicine and who want to talk about other options (e.g. transferring courses). Stephanie specialises in the MBBS program, but all are able to provide assistance.
Email: stephanie.d.rogers@adelaide.edu.au
Student and Program Support Service Coordinator: Mary Denholm
Mary is responsible for assessing applications for withdrawal from courses before the census date (i.e. 'withdraw no fail'). Any information provided to Mary during this process is confidential and will not be communicated to other staff, even within the medical school.
Email: mary.denholm@adelaide.edu.au
Non-Academic #
University Counselling Service
This is a free and confidential service provided by The University of Adelaide. They are willing to make an over the phone appointment if you are unable to visit their North Terrace Location. They also have a 'drop-in' counselling service (no appointment necessary) from 1:00pm - 4:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Beginning in 2018, Counselling Support will also be offered at the AHMS on Level 4 on alternating Mondays and Wednesdays. Appointment times are 1.10, 2.10, and 3.10, lasting 50 minutes and can be booked via phone or email.
Email: counselling.centre@adelaide.edu.au
Website: www.adelaide.edu.au/counselling_centre
Phone: 08 8313 5663
University Health Practice
Bulk billing GP practice on the North Terrace Campus run by the University for University students.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm
Phone: 08 8313 5050
Doctor's Health SA
Especially for doctors and medical students, DHSA provides after hour GP appointments and also has a 24/7 confidential phone line for urgent advice from doctors. Check out their website for a list of community based GP's specialising in the health of doctors and medical students if you would like a GP closer to home!
Website: www.doctorshealthsa.com.au
Phone: 08 8232 1250
Urgent confidential 24/7 helpline: 08 8366 0250
LifeLine
This is a free crisis centre, offering a 24-hour service online or over the phone. They offer support for a full range of personal crises, from suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, abuse, trauma, loneliness and general stress to those looking to help a loved one.
Website: www.lifeline.org.au
Phone: 13 11 14
BeyondBlue
Has a wide range of resources as well as links to National helplines and counselling services.
Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs)
The EWOs are a service provided to the whole university, separate from the medical school. They are skilled and experienced in addressing any issue students might be facing. They are able to offer welfare and wellbeing support, as well as free tax, housing, student financial assistance and legal advice. If you have been sexually harassed, EWOs can be your first point of call. It is confidential and free!
Email: studentcare@adelaide.edu.au
Phone: 08 8313 5430
Indigenous Student Support Officer: Domenica Cassar
Domenica provides support and advice for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) students in the Faculty.
Phone: 08 8313 0273
Disability Service
The disability service can provide support to accommodate your disability.
Phone: 08 8313 5962
Email: disability@adelaide.edu.au
Rural Medical Program Coordinator: Bronwyn Herde
Rural students can use these pathways above but also have the option of discussing problems directly with the rural school through Bronwyn Herde (although the exact process is still being clarified with the rural school).
Email: bronwyn.herde@adelaide.edu.au
Your AMSS
The AMSS is more than happy to address any of your concerns regarding any of these processes. We can give advice on which pathways to take and who to talk to.
Email: healthandwellbeing@amss.org.au
Emergency Contacts #
The University's Security Service | 8313 5444 |
Crisis Care (family crisis, domestic violence) | 111 611 |
Mental health triage (24-hr service for mental health emergencies) | 131 465 |
Yarrow Place (rape and sexual assault service) | 8226 8787 |
LifeLine (24-hr phone counselling) | 131 114 |
Domestic Violence Helpline | 1800 800 098 |
Doctors Health SA 24/7 Helpline | 08 8366 0250 |
Click on the link here to access The AMSS Guide for Students in Distress. Please get in touch with us (click here) if you wish to add to or update anything.
Resources #
The AMSS has compiled a handy list of resources to help maintain your health and wellbeing
Wellbeing #
AMSA Mental Health
The AMSA mental health team produces guides to cover all aspects of health and wellbeing, including mental health, finances, study and more. Their biggest publication, Keeping Your Grass Greener (KYGG) has everything you need, including specialised articles for different student groups, such as those who are rural or who will be graduating soon.
KYGG: www.mentalhealth.amsa.org.au/keeping-your-grass-greener/
General Practitioner
Having your own GP that you feel you can trust and turn to for advice is important throughout your time in medical school. If you don't already have one, check out Doctors Health SA who are especially for doctors and medical students, and the University Health Practice conveniently located on the North Terrace campus.
MindSpot
This is a free, online screening assessment for anxiety and mood disorders that directs you to different treatment options that they offer. This includes online and in-person CBT, with psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals, who are on-call 24/7. What's even better is that it's entirely free!
Website: http://mindspot.org.au
Phone: 1800 614 424
UniThrive
This is a blog run by the university. It has regular posts, which offer practical mental health tips. It might sound a little lame, but it's seriously worth checking out!
Website: http://adelaide.edu.au/uni-thrive/
Black Dog Institute
Information on and support for mood disorders and the promotion of wellbeing. Definitely check out their Staying Well Techniques fact sheets for easy methods to destress.
Website: http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
Q Life
An organisation dedicated to LGBTQI mental health. They run a free over-the-phone and online counselling service every day of the year, and have great online resources.
They know the ABC of LGBTQI wellbeing!
Website: http://qlife.org.au
Phone: 1800 184 52
National Eating Disorder Collaboration
This organisation offers support and practical resources regarding treatment, relapse and recovery for those suffering from eating disorders or negative body image. They also have lots of resources if you're worried about a friend.
Website: http://nedc.org.au
Phone: 1800 33 4673
MoodGYM
MoodGYM is an interactive web program designed to prevent depression. There
are modules, anxiety and depression assessments and relaxation tools that allow you to apply the principles of CBT at home.
Website: http://moodgym.anu.edu.au
Depression and Addiction Rehab
This website offers information and support for those battling depression along with with some form of substance addiction.
Website: https://www.inpatientdrugrehab.org
Financial Support #
Check if you are eligible for payments from Centrelink - if you are over 22, living away from home, from an Indigenous background or considered 'independent'.
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
This website also has tips on saving money long term, student loans and other financial advice.
The Adelaide Medical Students' Foundation also provides some financial support for those in need.
If you have any resources that you'd like to see added to this list, get in contact with your AMSS Health and Wellbeing Representatives, Elly and Luke, at healthandwellbeing@amss.org.au!