Student Support
Students completing rural placements face a range of unique stressors and challenges. Fortunately there are a variety of support services available for current University of Melbourne students to access and stay well. Services are accessible across rural campus locations, as well as at the Parkville campus.
-
Your time in the Rural Clinical School provides terrific opportunities to learn and grow, both personally and professionally. For some it can also prove challenging for a variety of reasons. The service can be accessed for a range of individualised support, from discussing strategies to stay well, study pressures, referral to other support providers, isolation, relationship issues, to concerns regarding mental health, bullying or harassment in the medicine environment, or life in general.
As a student with the RCS, you can access free and confidential health and wellbeing support from a qualified practitioner (Psychologist or Social Worker) providing short to medium term social, psychological, and emotional support.
Students may arrange an appointment with the rural based Health and Wellbeing Practitioner via a secure online booking portal.
You are welcome to contact us with any queries, to schedule an appointment directly, or if you're having difficulties with your booking system, please contact the team below.
Lisa Power
Monday - Thursday, alt Fridays
Wangaratta, Shepparton, Echuca and Y3RP (in person and Zoom)
P: 0435 588 952
E: lisa.power@unimelb.edu.auKimberley Tuohey
Thursday and Friday
Ballarat (in person and Zoom)
E: kimberley.tuohey@unimelb.edu.auFor further information about other support services, see your student handbook or click below.
-
The Melbourne Medical School has an Indigenous Primary Health Practitioner available to provide free support to Indigenous students.
Appointments can be arranged by directly contacting Cathy via email or phone.
Cathy Garlett
Monday, Wednesday - Friday
Metro (in person and Zoom)
P: 0468 713 864
E: cathy.garlett@unimelb.edu.auCathy Garlett is a Nyikina descendant with generational links to Gooniyandi, Yamatji and Noongar Country, and works on Wurundjeri Country at the University of Melbourne. Cathy's role as the Indigenous Primary Health Practitioner provides support to First Nations students enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS), including the Melbourne School of Public and Global Health (MSPGH). Cathy is committed to the wellbeing of students and has a social work background with over 20 years of experience, working with Aboriginal families in the community.
-
Murrup Barak supports First Peoples to access higher education.
The team is dedicated to student success, providing a safe, responsive and empowering service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are studying within the University of Melbourne, ensuring they have the tools to succeed.
-
Stop 1 is a directory where students can find information and student services whether online, on the phone or in person. Stop 1 can help you with admissions, enrolment, course planning, administration, support services and skills and development. For further information call P: 13 MELB (13 6352) or click below.
-
Student Support Financial Aid provides student loans, advice and advocacy around Government student payments, grants based on financial need (including housing/rent assistance grants) and welfare support. You may book an appointment to speak with a specialist staff member.
-
Student Housing provides support in arranging temporary accommodation, tenancy advice or emergency accommodation.
-
Student Equity and Disability Support is available for students who may require reasonable and equitable adjustments to their studies due to disability and/or health conditions. Adjustments may include Alternative Exam Arrangements (AEA) or Academic Adjustment Plans (AAP). Students must register with SEDS in order to be considered for any academic or exam related adjustments. This can be done through Stop 1 and involves a face to face or phone meeting with an Adviser.
-
The Counselling and Psychological Services are based in Parkville, though offer phone sessions for students based rurally. Appointments for individual counselling sessions can be made online or via phone. Students may also wish to access the range of online resources available, including information regarding different mental health issues, audio tracks and interactive online programs. For more information about these services, call CAPS on: 61 (3) 8344 6927 or click below.