Wellbeing

Ensuring that the law student experience is positive, rewarding, engaging and safe is of crucial importance to the LSS. Your welfare matters, and we are here to support you.

Recognising the need for greater visibility of mental health, in 2015 the LSS created the Wellbeing Portfolio, headed by the Wellbeing Director. The Wellbeing Portfolio exists to be a contact point for referral for any law students seeking help or support (for themselves or their friends), and to gather feedback from law students regarding their experience of wellbeing in the law school. Furthermore, the portfolio aims to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health, and to foster a culture in which all students feel safe and free to discuss their mental health. We aim to move towards a culture that supports students’ wellbeing as a fundamental aspect of the law school experience.

The Wellbeing Portfolio exists to hear your concerns, provide support and referral services, and to raise awareness of the importance of mental health to every student. The Wellbeing Handbook exists for you as a reference tool, with many important resources to support your mental health outlined in the following pages, as well as practical advice for setting yourself up for an academic career at your full potential. Throughout the year we will be hosting a variety of events aimed at promoting good mental health. Keep an eye out for the LSS Mental Health Week that will be happening in Semester One. We will also be hosting a variety of panels, open forums, yoga and meditation sessions amongst other great events throughout the year.

Make sure to like ANU LSS Wellbeing on Facebook to stay up to date with all of our events.

Emergency Contacts

  • beyond blue 1300 224 636 You can call any time of the day or night to talk with a trained mental health professional. They will listen, provide information and advice, and point you in the right direction so you can seek further support.
  • Lifeline 13 11 14 Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide can contact Lifeline for support.
  • Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 Provides specialised help for young people aged 5 to 25 years, and is staffed by professional counsellors.
  • Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 The Suicide Call Back Service provides crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide. People who are not linked in with current professional support can also access up to six sessions of ongoing counselling with the same counsellor at scheduled times.
  • MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78 For men of any age who would like support, information or referral to assist them to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way.
  • Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) 02 6280 0900 The DVCS provides 24-hour domestic violence crisis assistance.
  • Canberra Rape Crisis Centre 02 6247 2525 CRCC is available for any woman, child, young person or man who has experienced any form of sexual abuse (adult rape, childhood sexual abuse, ritual abuse or sexual harassment) whether it is a recent assault or an assault that happened years ago.
  • ACT Crisis, Assistance and Treatment Team (CATT) 1800 629 354 CATT provides 24-hour mental health emergency assistance and support.
  • Health Direct 1800 022 222 or 02 6207 7777 Health Direct provides 24-hour medical & health advice line staffed by registered nurses.
  • Poisons Information Line 131 126 If you have any concern about anything you (or a friend) have consumed or taken, Poisons Information Line is available 24/7.