Guide to Student Mental Health

Student Guide to Mental Health

Version 2: August 2021

CONTENTS MENTAL HEALTH ....................................................................................................................................3 STUDENT EXPERIENCES OF MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES ....................................................................4 WHAT IS COLLEGE DOING TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH? ................................................................5 WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING WITH YOUR MENTAL HEALTH ..................................................5 EMERGENCY CONTACTS.........................................................................................................................6 LOCAL GPS ..............................................................................................................................................7 LIST OF COUNSELLORS ...........................................................................................................................9 SUPPLEMENTARY LIST OF COUNSELLORS ............................................................................................11

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MENTAL HEALTH In Australia, large numbers of the population struggle at various times with mental health.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Survey (2017-2018)1: • • •

In 2017-2018, 20% of the population had a mental or behavioral condition (that’s about 4.8 million people).

In 2017-2018, the most prevalent condition was anxiety, experienced by 13% of the population.

In 2017-2018, 10% of the population experienced depression.

According to the Black Dog Institute approximately 45% of Australians will experience an episode of mental illness in their lifetime.2 In a complex and sometimes broken world Christians will experience these kinds of issues in the same way as the general population. It’s not a lack of faith or godliness, it’s just the struggle of life in a fallen world. In our ongoing experience at College, many students struggle with mental health issues and still go on to complete their studies and be effective in serving others in ministry. The aim of this document is to outline what Moore College is doing to promote healthy awareness of mental health issues and to help you to work out how to respond if you are struggling with your own mental health or are aware of someone who is.

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https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/4364.0.55.001~201718~Main%20Features~One%20in%20five%20Australians%20has%20a%20mental%20or%20behavioural%20condition %20(Media%20Release)~205 (accessed 28/11/2019) 2 https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/default-source/factsheets/facts_figures.pdf?sfvrsn=8 (accessed 28/11/2019)

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STUDENT EXPERIENCES OF MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES (The names of the following students have been changed for privacy reasons) “I was diagnosed with severe chronic depression between first and second year. The long break can be a challenging time after such a busy and compressed year of excitement and continuous investment in studies and ministry. I came from a highly structured and demanding career and was surprised by how difficult it was to transition to full-time studies, especially with a young family. I’m very grateful for the incredibly close friends we made in first year who rode the entire journey with us and continue to love and support us going forward. The pastoral care from the College, especially their willingness to provide flexibility and one-to-one mentoring, was invaluable as I navigated a whole new world of secular mental health support. It sounds strange to say, but through everything that has happened, our faith has grown and we feel tremendously blessed by God and our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

-- Bruce (2nd year) “I’ve struggled with depression and burn out while at College. It has been more acutely difficult to be surrounded by people at College but still feel alone and suffering in private. But I’m thankful that I was constantly hearing the gospel while studying, even on dark days. And that, once I finally reached out for help from faculty, people were so willing to listen and help me make the adjustments I needed to keep persevering while at College.”

-- Rachael (3rd year) “I’ve struggled with anxiety before I came to College and while here. That made the decision to come to College hard as I was facing the prospect of doing massive assignments and exams things that really draw out anxiety. And they have certainly been tough. But I’m really thankful for the support of the wise and kind pastoral team at College who have been so generous with their time when I’ve needed help seeing through the anxiety cloud to work out how to get through the next assessment or term. I’m also incredibly thankful for a great psychologist who I’ve been able to see the whole way through College. Having someone to check in with regularly, who understands both anxiety and ministry and is trained to listen and ask the right questions, has been so helpful. I can’t recommend it enough!”

-- Sarah (4th year) I have experienced clinical anxiety and depression, both before and during my time at College. At times this has derailed my learning, isolated me from my peers, and brought me to question my suitability for leadership in the church. Yet I am deeply grateful for the pastoral care at College, which has been a great support to both my health and my faith. At the start of First Year, forthright discussions about mental health led by the College catalysed a group of students to find and intentionally support one another. I was also able to share honestly with my Chaplain and my prayer group, without fear of judgement. Most of all, I'm thankful that as I spoke with faculty, they demonstrated a genuine care for my well-being. I would encourage anyone struggling with similar issues during their time at College to make the most of the supports the community has to offer.

--Tim (1st year) 4

WHAT IS COLLEGE DOING TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH? During the first year orientation program each year, a qualified clinical psychologist (Valerie Ling) presents a session on identifying and dealing with issues of burnout, anxiety and depression.

During this session, students are given the opportunity to understand some of the signs of struggles with mental health. This is a highly valuable session each year for many students.

As a follow up to this session, Valerie runs weekly workshop groups that students are able to sign up for (at a reasonable cost). These are to help students gain skills in self-awareness and selfmanagement to help them cope better with the stresses of life in ministry. An email will be sent to students with details of these sessions each year (Students from any year at College are welcome to attend).

We believe that there is good evidence for the fact that growing in self-awareness helps people to manage mental health. This is the reason for the Intentional Ministry Reflection classes in 2 nd year and 3rd year.

Each year in 4th year, the Anglican Diocesan Professional Standards Unit comes and runs a class on self-care in the Ministry and Mission 4 subject.

The College also regularly provides training and awareness for the faculty and chaplains, by qualified persons, on how to respond with care and kindness to mental health issues.

We want College to be a place where people who are struggling can reach out, be heard and find help. If in any way you feel like College is failing to achieve this, please contact the Dean of Students (deanofstudents@moore.edu.au) or the Dean of Women (deanofwomen@moore.edu.au). We really want to improve this area of College life and so we really need to hear from you.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING WITH YOUR MENTAL HEALTH Talk to someone: We make an ongoing effort to make sure that the faculty and chaplains are informed about mental health issues. They will treat anything you say confidentially and will be able to pray with you and help you to plan some steps forward. Please contact your Chaplain or talk to the Dean of Students or the Dean of Women if you find yourself wrestling with mental health. If you are a postgraduate student, please speak to your supervisor. If you are studying the Diploma of Biblical Theology, please contact your tutor.

Get a Mental Health Care Plan: While it is possible to see a psychologist or counsellor at any time about anything, the government helps Australian students by paying for a certain number of visits if they visit their GP and get a 5

mental health care plan. Visiting your GP can also help to give you insight into the nature of your struggle and provide help navigating avenues for support. For more information about mental health care plans see https://headspace.org.au/blog/how-to-get-a-mental-health-care-plan/ If you don’t have a GP that is easy to access in Sydney, there is a list of local GPs later in this document.

Make contact with the Registrar’s Department For many people, struggles with mental health directly impact your ability to study. The Registrar’s Department is aware of these issues and regularly works with students to organize an assignment schedule that is manageable. You will need a medical certificate from your GP or counsellor, but please talk to the Registrar’s Department as soon as possible. They want to help you to work out how to manage your study in the midst of a difficult time.

Find information online: Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Black Dog Institute: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ Headspace: https://headspace.org.au/

EMERGENCY CONTACTS Sometimes things feel particularly acute. If you feel like self-harming or you or a friend are in distress, the following numbers connect to trained individuals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Never be afraid to ring these numbers, the people who you talk to are well trained and will never make you feel foolish for ringing. If in doubt, give them a ring.

NSW Department of Health Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or chat online https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Lifeline: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 for young people 5-25 years https://kidshelpline.com.au/ Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/ MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78 for men of any age https://mensline.org.au/

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LOCAL GPs Newtown: Practice & Address

Contact Number

Hours

Bulk Billing

Recommended Doctors

Broadway General Practice Level 1 Broadway Shopping Centre

8245 1500

Open 7 days

Dr Loretta Rowan Dr Graham Chin

Church Street Medical Practice 280 Church Street, Newtown

9516 2944

Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-1pm

Bulk bill with a Government Health Care Card or for children’s appointments before 5pm on weekdays Health Care Card holders can ask for a bulk billing doctor

University Health Service (University of Sydney) Level 3, Wentworth Building, City Road, Darlington Campus

9351 3484

Mon-Fri 8:30am5:30pm

Practice & Address

Contact Number

Hours

Bulk Billing

Your Doctors 3 Lackey Street, Summer Hill

9797 3900

Mon-Fri 8am-6pm Sat 8am-12pm

Bulk billing for children and Health Care Card holders

Your Doctors 37 Henry St, Ashfield

8090 6833

Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

Bulk billing for children and Health Care Card holders

The Village General Practice 130 Smith Street, Summer Hill

9516 2944

Bulk billing for Health Care Card holders

Concord Family Doctors 19 Brewer St, Concord

9739 6300

Mon-Thurs 8am-8pm Fri 8am-6pm Sat 8am-4pm Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm Sat 9am-12pm

Dr David Lim Dr Sean Kristofferson Dr Charles Ellis Dr Mark Toppin Dr Katherine Bruce Dr Myra Cowell

Croydon Park:

Bulk billing for students, children & Health Care Card holders

Recommended Doctors

Dr Colin Chu Dr Susan Chua

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Moorewest: Practice & Address

Contact Number

Hours

Bulk Billing

Paramatta Medical Centre 20 Victoria Rd, Parramatta NSW 2150

97621041

Mon-Fri 8am7pm. Sat-Sun 9am-3:30pm

Yes

Recommended Doctors

Helplines: Healthdirect: a 24/7 telephone health advice line staffed by registered nurses 1800 022 222 https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/ Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: general advice and support about pregnancy, childbirth and parenting up to five years 1800 882 436 https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/

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LIST OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Counselling is often a deep and personal process and so the relationship of trust you develop with the counsellor is extremely important. Sometimes this takes time to develop. The Dean of Students and the Dean of Women regularly refer students to counsellors on this list which has been compiled in conjunction with mental health professionals, to offer support and help for those dealing with mental health struggles.

Please speak with your chaplain if you require more information or help making a decision.

Counsellor/Practice & Address

Contact Details

Anglicare Summer Hill 1 Sloane St, Summer Hill

9798 1400

Jane French Fi Dicker Fiona Simpkin Centre for Effective Living 802-808 Pacific Highway, Gordon

1800 832 588 http://www.effectiveliving.com.au

Valerie Ling The Family Systems Practice 30 Grosvenor St, Neutral Bay

9904 5600 contact@thefsp.com.au http://www.thefsp.com.au/

St Barnabas Church Broadway, 57-61 Mountain Street, Ultimo.

Jenny Brown Meg Cook Veronica Pym Emma Robinson Anna Moss Emma Robinson Laura Errington Margie McCaskill equilibrium psychology, Suite 604/105 Pitt St, Sydney

9262 6156

Penny Wilkinson

https://pennywilkinsoncounsellor.com/ (book appointments online)

Penny Wilkinson Counselling Services Nicolette Deva Psychologist 162/822 Bourke Street, Waterloo Tuvan Rochford Shop 12, University Hall, 2-12 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

balance@equilibriumpsychology.com.au https://www.equilibriumpsychology.com.au/

8399 0611 0410 650 895 http://nicolettedeva.com/ 0437 849 209

http://www.sydneychristiancounselling.com.au/ 9

Mel Fung Shop 12, University Hall, 2-12 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

0402 545 565 8034 6752

Van Tester Psychologist - Life Care Inner West, Suite 1/50 Great North Road, Five Dock

9712 5311 confidential@lifecareinnerwest.com.au https://www.lifecareinnerwest.com.au/about-us/vantester/

Leisa Aitken, Eagle Psychology, Collaroy

0421 856 281 http://eaglepsychology.com.au

Resilience Centre, Suite 401, Level 4, 51 Rawson St, Epping

9869 0377

Lyn Worsley Adam Wright Kristen Bayliss Clare Speirs Clinical Psychologist St Barnabas Anglican Church, 57-61 Mountain St, Ultimo

http://www.sydneychristianpsychologist.com.au/

https://www.theresiliencecentre.com.au/

0412940522 (business hours only) clarespeirspsychology@gmail.com

Sarah Jacob Gordon Psychology, Suite 3, 788a Pacific Highway, Gordon Greg Powell The Mindspace, Suite 43, 90 Mona Vale Road, Warriewood

0416 254 189 http://www.gordonpsychology.com.au/

Bridges Counselling Oatlands/Parramatta

9683 1444 enquiries@bridgescounselling.com.au https://www.bridgescounselling.com.au

Ralph Holwerda William Fernandes David Bridges Associated Psychology Penrith Sarah Balogh (Playsted) Michelle Day Kim Morris MBM, Rooty Hill Sandy Morrison Lower Blue Mountains Clinical Psychology Centre, Warimoo

8208 5958 reception@themindspace.com.au http://www.themindspace.com.au

4722 3137 https://apppractice.com.au/our-team/sarah-playsted/ https://apppractice.com.au/our-team/michellegrosvenor/ 0431071969 https://mbm.org.au/counselling/ 0401918744 http://www.lowermountainsclinicalpsychology.com.au/

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SUPPLEMENTARY LIST OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS (Received from the Equip Ministry Wives Committee)

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