Swinburne launches out-of-hours crisis line for students and staff under distress
Distress, anguish and pain can appear at any time during the day but immediate help might not always available, especially if it’s in the middle of the night and you don’t have anyone to turn to.
Fortunately, students at Swinburne University now have access to an out-of-hours crisis line which can be used for those who may need assistance in times of emotional, psychological and physical distress.
The crisis line, which can be reached by phone (1300 854 144) or by text message (0488 863 269) is open from 5.00pm – 9.00am from Monday to Friday and is available for 24 hours on weekends and on public holidays. A trained and confidential counsellor will answer student’s calls and will provide help:
- finding immediate relief from distress
- explore coping strategies for the current crisis
- focus on specific next steps for the caller
Following that initial call, counsellors will ask if the caller would like to receive a follow-up phone call to check if things have gotten better.
If the crisis line is busy, callers will receive a callback and a text message as soon as possible.
What counts as a crisis? Situations involving, but strictly not limited to:
- loss of a loved one
- a relationship breakdown
- physical health issues
- violence/trauma
- natural disaster
- mental health
- anxiety/depression
Swinburne University’s Dr Andrew J. Smith, Vice-President (Students) confirmed “the hotline is open to all Swinburne students and staff locally or abroad”, and further added that the service “is an important way of providing [Swinburne’s] students and staff with immediate crisis support and opens the doors for longer-term solutions”.
“Studying in a foreign country can be an exciting and challenging experience [and] we hope that international students will use this service if they are in need of immediate support,” Dr Smith said.
For more information on Swinburne’s out-of-hours crisis hotline, please refer to this article posted on Swinburne’s Knowing blog.