Counselling & mental health
Adjusting to university life can be difficult. It involves meeting new people, adopting new routines, learning new skills, and coping with extra expenses. These stresses are coupled with the demands of study and life outside university.
For enrolled students, VU Counselling provides professional services designed to support you in your personal, psychological, academic, and social development.
We also have a range of online and printable resources that may help you in your personal and university life.
24/7 Mental Health Support Line
The Victoria University Mental Health Support Line operates around the clock. You can access immediate and short-term support 24 hours a day, including weekends and public holidays.
It is designed to help callers find immediate relief from emotional distress. It also explores coping strategies for your current crisis, safely manages any immediate threats to life or safety, and offers referrals and pathways for longer-term solutions.
Emergency? If you or someone you know if in life-threatening situation call police or ambulance on 000.
Call Mental Health Support
A support worker will answer your call. If the line is busy, leave a name and phone number for a return call with 30 minutes.
Send an SMS
Send an SMS or text to this number to begin a 'live text' session. You'll get to exchange text messages with a support worker.
For VU staff: refer a student
Refer a student by completing an online form.
Students can text or call this service for help with:
- feeling overwhelmed and distressed
- managing grief and loss
- feeling worried about a friend or family member
- coping strategies for when you are having a mental health crisis
- finding pathways to find longer-term solutions for mental health support
- having thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
ⓘ This service does not offer ongoing counselling, but can link you to wellbeing services and support.
