Who or what can help me?
UWS has a range of services and policies that provide support:
Counselling Service
Mental ill health can have a significant impact on thinking processes, emotions, perceptions, motivation and confidence. This can often result in difficulties learning, problem solving and achieving academic and vocational goals. The UWS Counselling Service is here to help you understand your personal circumstances and, if need be, come to terms with living and studying with mental ill health or a mental health concern.
If you are unsure if you have a mental health concern, the Counselling Service can help you recognise and understand what you are experiencing. The Counselling Service is free and strictly confidential and can refer you to other services that can also help, including the Disability Service, Student Welfare Service and a range of external services.
To make an appointment with a Counsellor, please call (02) 9852 5199, email counselling@uws.edu.au or use the eCounselling service.
There are some information fact sheets and self assessment sites you may find helpful. Please be aware that the information found on these sites is a guide only and we recommend you speak to a professional counsellor.
- Learn more about mental ill-health - Fact sheets (opens in a new window) [Mental Health Assocation NSW]
- Get some self assessment tips on depression (opens in a new window) [Beyond Blue]
- Get some self assessment tips on anxiety (opens in a new window) [Beyond Blue]
Disability Service
If you know you have a mental health condition we strongly encourage you to contact the UWS Disability Service before enrolling or the teaching session starts. This will allow enough time to identify your needs and to organise appropriate support.
One of the support options is a unique plan, know as the Academic Integration Plan (AIP). Once registered with the Disability Service, the Disability Advisor will develop an AIP in consultation with you to identify the basic strategies that must be implemented for you by all relevant academic, exam and administration staff across the University community to help you succeed with your study. The provisions included in your AIP depend on the nature of your disability and may include reasonable adjustments to your classes, exams and use of facilities such as the library and computer labs.
To make an appointment to see a Disability Advisor call (02) 9852 5199 or email disability@uws.edu.au.
More information about the useful resources and services the Disability Service can provide is available in the Disability Service Student Handbook [PDF 210Kb] (opens in a new window).
» Find out more about the Disability Service
Options for your studies
If you are having difficulties with your studies due to a mental health issue, there are a number of ways UWS can support you. There are a range of options available to you, depending on your individual circumstances:
