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Being a student can be challenging, and sometimes personal, emotional or mental health difficulties can make things feel overwhelming. Our psychologists, counsellors and social workers provide free, confidential support for Swinburne students.

How we can support you

We can help if you are experiencing:

  • stress, worry or anxiety

  • low mood or depression

  • difficulties with study, motivation or concentration

  • relationship, family or friendship issues

  • grief and loss

  • concerns about alcohol or other drug use

  • the impacts of trauma, sexual assault or family violence

  • other emotional or mental health concerns.

Specialist support is also available for sexual assault, alcohol and other drug issues, and other complex concerns.

If you need more information or support around self-harm or suicidal thoughts, visit our Self-harm and suicidal behaviours page.

How to get help

Before your first counselling appointment, you’ll complete a short triage session. This usually takes around 20 minutes and helps us understand your situation and what kind of support will be most helpful.

Steps to get help

  • Step 1: Complete a triage session

    Contact the service to arrange a triage session so we can discuss your needs and options.

  • Step 2: We match you with support

    After triage, we’ll talk with you about the most appropriate support. This may include individual counselling, workshops, groups or referral to specialist services.

  • Step 3: Book your appointment

    You can book a counselling appointment by contacting the Health Service See the Medical Centre page for phone numbers and opening hours.

Note: Mental health appointments are not booked through HotDoc. Please contact the service directly to register and book.

Location and contact

Hawthorn

Level 4, George Swinburne Building (GS)
John Street, Hawthorn VIC 3122

Call us

+61 3 9214 8483

Specialist support services

Referrals can be made to the Eastern Centre for Sexual Assault (ECASA) and Eastern Domestic Violence Outreach Support (EDVOS), to support those impacted by sexual assault and sexual harassment. 

  • ECASA trauma clinician: Free and confidential counselling and support is available for people who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, recently or in the past.
  • EDVOS specialist family violence service: A wide range of services available including developing a safety plan so you can remain in your own home, helping you to find a safe place to stay, helping you support your children (keep them safe and prioritise their wellbeing), and contact support services such as legal and financial.

Referrals can be made to Access Health and Community. The Alcohol and Drug Youth Support Clinician provides counselling and fosters recovery by providing support to reduce the harms of alcohol, medication and other drug use.

Costs

Swinburne Students incur no cost to access  our counselling services. For International students, some overseas health cover may require payment upfront, that will later be reimbursed.

Swinburne students will be charge a fee for accessing our psychiatry services.

It is important that you give notice if you need to cancel an appointment with a mental health clinician-psychologist or the psychiatrist so we can offer your appointment to another student in need.

You must call to cancel if you think you won't be able to keep your appointment with your counsellor. You will be charged a $20 fee if you do not call us to cancel at least two hours in advance. This fee needs to be paid before you make another appointment.

To cancel an appointment with the psychologist or psychiatrist, you must give at least 48 hours notice or you will be charged a cancellation fee as follows. 

Psychiatrist cancellation fees:

If you fail to attend your appointment or do not provide 48 notices you may be charged a fee ranging from $60 to $220 depending on the length and type of your missed appointment.

Note: You can arrange SMS reminders at the time of booking to be sure you don’t miss your appointment.

Want to register for psychology or counselling sessions?

If you would like to register for a psychology or counselling session complete the form below, you can then make appointments. 

Register now