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  1. Student Welfare
Authority Source: Vice-Chancellor
Approval Date: 17/07/2024
Publication Date: 05/08/2024
Review Date: 17/07/2029
Effective Date: 01/01/2025
Custodian: Director, Student Life
Contact: wellbeing@canberra.edu.au
Accessibility: Public
Status: Published
In developing this procedure the University had regard to the provisions of section 40B(1)(b) of the Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT).
Student Mental Health Support Procedure
1. Purpose:
  1. This Procedure will assist University of Canberra (University) community members to support students by providing a coherent, supporting, culturally safe and holistic approach when responding to students experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis.
2. Scope:
  1. This Procedure seeks to support the implementation and effectiveness of the Support for Students Policy.
  2. This Procedure offers processes to staff and students to facilitate:
     
    1. good mental health for the University student community
    2. appropriate responses to those individuals experiencing mental health conditions.
  3. This procedure applies to all University of Canberra Students enrolled in courses and units of study including non-award courses.
3. Procedure:
Student support services
  1. Staff must familiarise themselves with the support services available at the University website and described below and refer students as required and appropriate. Staff are advised to contact the Student Wellbeing and Support team or Medical and Counselling if they require advice and/or assistance in supporting the learning of a student experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis.
  2. Special consideration will be applied by the Future Students team to students who declare their academic performance/eligibility has been impacted by a mental health condition or learning disorder, when applying for (re)admission to the Universoity. For more details see Study at ºÚÁÏÍø - University of Canberra.
  3. University staff must complete professional development to assist in their understanding and ability to support students experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis. The University provides opportunities for staff to complete training eg Mental Health First Aid.
  4. A Student can be brought to the attention of University support services in the following ways:
     
    1. Incident report – student residences – Unilodge staff to notify Student Wellbeing and International Support by email – .
    2. IVIVA report – Director of Student Life.
    3. Internal referral – staff member notifies Student Wellbeing and International Support via email, phone, walk up or Teams message OR Medical and Counselling via phone or walk up.
    4. External referral – family, health professional, Placement/Internship host, external support service (list not exhaustive) notifies the University (IVIVA report, faculty, careers, Student Wellbeing and International Support etc) via email, phone or walk up.
    5. Student initiates contact via an appointment, email or phone with Medical and Counselling or Student Wellbeing and International Support.
  5. Internal and external support services may include any of the following services:
     
    1. Access Mental health
    2. Canberra rape Crisis Centre
    3. Community Services
    4. Domestic Violence Crisis Service
    5. Emergency Services
    6. InclusionUC
    7. Onelink
    8. Medical and Counselling.
Critical incidents
  1. A critical incident is defined as a tragic or traumatic event or situation, or threat of such, which has a serious personal consequence for the student or their family that may result in emotional reactions in the University community.
  2. Whether or not a staff member believes that a critical student incident arises from a mental health issue, the incident must be managed by the University’s Critical Incident Management team (CIMT) under the terms of the University’s Resilience Management Framework and business Continuity Plan. The procedures to be followed in reporting a critical student incident are summarised in Appendix A.
Mental health and student conduct
  1. The University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023 (Student Conduct Rules) address matters of academic, non-academic misconduct, or serious misconduct, as defined in the Student Conduct Rules, by a student while they are on University grounds or taking part in any event or activity related to the student’s enrolment at the University and conducted under the name of the University. This includes placements, internships, exchange programs, excursions, fieldtrips, conferences and courses undertaken through a Third-Party Provider institution.
  2. It is recognised that certain behaviours that may be considered to be a breach of the Student Conduct Rules may be caused by, or result from, a serious mental health condition. If a person suspects on reasonable grounds that a student’s conduct has occurred because that student is suffering from a serious mental health condition, the student’s conduct may be referred to an Authorised Officer under the University of Canberra (Medical Leave) Rules 2022 (Medical Leave Rules). The Medical Leave Rules address matters of physical and mental health conditions that impinge on the individual’s capacity to engage in university study and life.
  3. If the student’s conduct has been referred to a Prescribed Authority under the Student Conduct Rules, and the Prescribed Authority forms a reasonable belief that the student may have a serious health condition, the Prescribed Authority may transfer the matter to an Authorised Officer under the Medical Leave Rules. If this occurs, the Authorised Officer can recommend to the Prescribed Authority that the student conduct matter be suspended, including that the student conduct proceedings be permanently stayed.
4. Roles and Responsibilities:
WHO RESPONSIBILITIES
Director, Student Life
  • Student Leader member of the Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) – role activated in the event of a critical incident. May decide to activate a Critical Student Incident Response team.
  • Manages complex student wellbeing issues including chairing the student support, safety and early intervention process for individual students.
  • Coordinate, communicate and advise students and staff of the University of supports available to students.
Student Wellbeing and International Support team
  • Provide advice and support to all students using trauma informed practices.
  • Contact students impacted by an incident or on receipt of a referral from university staff, or an external source.
  • Interactions and attempted outreach to be logged in the respective CRM case within the student record.
  • Work with the student to develop and share an individual support plan, referring the student to external providers where necessary.
  • Offer and provide ongoing support to students.
  • Escalate matters to the Director, Student Life.
University Staff
  • Respond to students with mental health difficulties in a respectful, culturally safe and positive manner.
  • Students should be referred and encouraged to seek advice and support from the Wellbeing & International Support team, Medical & Counselling or InclusionUC.
  • If requiring advice in relation to a student with a mental health difficulty, staff should contact the Wellbeing & International Support team, Medical & Counselling, InclusionUC, or the Director of Student Life (for critical incidents).
  • Be aware of their own personal and professional limitations. It is not a staff member’s responsibility to provide ongoing mental health support to students. Staff identifying  student behaviour they believe may arise from a mental health disturbance, should seek advice from Medical & Counselling.
  • Call Security staff on location and Emergency Services on 000
  • If someone appears to be in immediate danger of seriously harming themselves or other people.
  • Not responsible for, and should not consider, accompanying a student manifesting symptoms of serious disturbance off-campus (for example, to the emergency department of a hospital).
  • In acute and urgent mental health issues, University support staff (Student Wellbeing & International Support, Medical & Counselling) may also contact external services for assistance and support.
  • Staff are reminded and urged to contact the Employee Assistance program (EAP) where appropriate after dealing with or being exposed to any traumatic or stressful event.
University Students
  • Expected to take responsibility for communicating their needs and seeking support within the University.
  • Expected to take care of their own mental health (for example, ensuring they get adequate rest, take prescribed medications and access appropriate support).
  • If concerned for a fellow student’s mental wellbeing, students should be aware of their personal limitations and should encourage their fellow student to seek specialist support at the earliest opportunity.
  • If someone appears to be in immediate danger of seriously harming themselves or other people, students should call Security staff on location and Emergency Services on 000.
5. Governing Policy and Legislation:
  1. The governing Policy for this Procedure is the Support for Students Policy.
  2. This Procedure is governed by the following legislation and related University policies:
     
    1. Business Continuity Plan (staff only)
    2. Critical Incident Management team (CIMT) (delegate approval required)
    3. Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
    4. Disability Policy
    5. Disability Standards for Education 2005
    6. Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT)
    7. Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997 (ACT)
    8. Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT)
    9. Information Privacy Act 2014 (ACT)
    10. Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
    11. University of Canberra Act 1989 (ACT)
    12. University of Canberra (Medical Leave) Rules 2022
    13. University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2018.
6. Supporting Information:
APPENDIX A – Contact details
CONTACT HOURS DETAILS
External    
Emergency services all hours 000
Lifeline All hours 13 11 14
Lifeline.org.au
1800RESPECT All hours 1800 737 732
1800respect.org.au
Beyond Blue   1300 224 636
Mental Health Triage Service All hours
Access Mental Health Canberra All hours 1800 629 354
Suicide Call back Service All hours
INTERNAL – Bruce Campus    
UC security All hours 02 6201 2222
Security Chaperone Service All hours 02 6201 2222
Medical & Counselling 9am to 5pm 02 6201 2351
Student Wellbeing & International Support 9am to 5pm 02 6206 8841
wellbeing@canberra.edu.au
Student wellbeing - University of Canberra
UC Crisis line After hours, weekends and public holidays Call: 1300 271 790
Text: 0488 884 227
Director of Student Life 9am to 5pm 02 6201 2284
Student Critical Incident reporting All hours 0414 837 291
Director of Student Connect 9am to 5pm 02 6201 5971
INTERNAL – other locations    
TAFE Queensland  
Brisbane campus 9am to 5pm 07 3244 5095
Studentsupport.services@tafe.qld.edu.au
Queensland Police All hours 131 444
Hotline for International students After hours 1800 644 044
Sydney Hills   Student Support — Sydney - University of Canberra
Converge International   1300 687 327
Castle Hill Family Doctors 7 days a week 02 8858 9800
TAFE NSW Northern Sydney – St Leonard’s   Student Support — Sydney - University of Canberra

APPENDIX B – Critical incidents

On-campus incidents
  1. Staff or students who are first made aware of a critical incident should immediately contact Emergency Services and University Security (see Supporting Information - Contact details). If the incident does not warrant immediate referral to Emergency Services, University Security should be advised of the incident.
  2. For acute and urgent mental health issues, staff members or students may also wish to contact Emergency Services or the Crisis Assessment & Treatment team for reporting and advice appropriate to the location (see Supporting Information - Contact details).
  3. Once the immediate need has been addressed, University Security must report the critical incident to the Director of Student Life via the online reporting tool.
Off-campus incidents
  1. Off campus incidents involving students on University business (e.g. during a field trip or a placement) should be dealt with as though the event had occurred on campus.
  2. Incidents occurring off-campus involving domestic students which do not have an immediate impact on other staff or students of the University do not need to be reported to University personnel.
  3. Staff members who become aware of an off-campus critical incident involving an international student who is not on University business should report the incident to their Executive Dean, Director or Manager, who will then contact the Director of Student Life as soon as possible.
  4. If a staff member is unsure of whether a circumstance involving a student should be defined as a critical incident, then the matter should be referred to the Director of Student Life in the first instance. If the Director of Student Life is unavailable the matter should be referred to the Director, Student Connect (see Supporting Information - Contact details).
APPENDIX C – Role of University of Canberra student support services


 
7. Definitions:
TERM DEFINITION
Authorised Person Refer University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules. Authorised Person means a person holding a position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Vice President or Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University.
Critical Incident A tragic or traumatic event or situation, or threat of such, affecting a student which has a serious personal consequence for the student and/or their family and/or the potential to result in emotional reactions in the University community.
Mental Health A state of wellbeing in which every individual realises their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to the community. (page 89, ).
Prescribed Authority Refer University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. Prescribed Authority means:
  1. a Deputy Vice-Chancellor; or
  2. a Vice-President; or
  3. a Pro Vice-Chancellor; or
  4. a Dean, Deputy Dean or Associate Dean; or
  5. a Director of a research centre or institute; or
  6. a person appointed by the Vice-Chancellor for such purposes.
Serious Health Condition As defined in the University of Canberra (Medical leave) Rules 2022.
Support Services As defined in the Support for Students Policy.