Written by Joanne Toh

Registered Psychologist and Clinical Registrar

Approximately 1 in 4 young people report experiencing mental health concerns, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports. This means that, for TAFE and University students, mental health issues can significantly interfere with their ability to perform well in their tertiary education.

Attending TAFE or university is often an exciting but challenging time in your life. You may be living away from home for the first time. This comes with its own challenges (being away from family and friends, having to be responsible for your own finances and household chores). You may also miss the routine and structure provided by high schools. It is challenging having to plan and manage your own time to attend lectures, work on assignments and self-study to prepare for examinations. It can be difficult to know how to cope with the increase in stress; especially when having to deal concurrently with depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, or a number of other mental health issues known to be prevalent among university students.

Please know that you are not alone and many of your peers are likely to experience similar challenges. It is important to seek help early. It’s best not to wait until the end of the semester to seek support, as it limits the scope of the support your education institution is able to provide.

You can always speak to a tutor or lecturer about your request for an extension. They may be able to accommodate your study requirements if appropriate and reasonable. You can also speak to Study Advisors on ways to reduce your study load if that is recommended by your health professionals. Additionally, you can explore what financial grants or loans are available through your education provider’s financial aid department, if your mental health symptoms are worsened by financial stress. Seeking-out a psychologist to learn coping strategies to help you cope with your stress, or to treat depression, anxiety, or OCD, can be helpful. It can also be a good idea to join some student clubs to meet new people, which may reduce your sense of homesickness and loneliness.

You are able to seek support from your education institution by:

• Being registered with the Disability Liaison Unit to obtain assignment extensions, alternate examination arrangements (Note: You will be asked to provide documents from a medical professional supporting your registration with this unit).
• Seeking short term psychological support from the Counselling department
• Joining in Mindfulness or other wellbeing group programs run by the Counselling department
• Obtaining practical tips from the Academic Skills Unit on ways to manage procrastination and time management

These are just a few tips on how to care for your mental health while being a student. Please check with your education provider for other resources and support they might offer.

References:

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/children-youth/mental-illness