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Information for staff

Faculty staff, parents or friends may be among the first to notice when a student is having difficulty coping with the many stressors in their life. The information on this page can help you to know how to respond to a student in distress, being disruptive, or sending distressing emails.

Emergency contacts

During office hours:
If an immediate and urgent response is required to assist with emergency distress in a student, or reports from a student about danger to self, please call University Security on 9351 3333 and request an immediate and urgent response.

Outside office hours:
Consider whether to call 000 for police or ambulance and/or call University Security on 9351 3333.

Helpful actions

1. Assist with referral to counseling at CAPS:

  • Ask the student if they are willing to speak with anyone else about their issue.
  • Be open about the limits of your own expertise in dealing with distress.
  • Suggest talking to a counsellor to learn new coping strategies.
  • Offer to make the call to CAPS or allow the student to use your phone to organise an appointment (8627 8433 or 8627 8437).
  • If you are concerned for the student’s safety or the student is in extreme distress, please call University Security on 9351 3333 and request an immediate and urgent response.
  • Refer the student to our ‘Get Help’ page in the meantime if there is no immediate risk.

2. Arrange a CAPS staff consultation to get advice on managing complex student issues. Information can also be provided about other sources of assistance on campus and in the community.

For more information download our Supporting students in distress: quick reference guide.

Additional resources

After hours assistance:
NSW Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511
Camperdown Community Mental Health Team: 9515 9000
Security Service: 9351 3487

If you have witnessed or participated in an emergency or critical event on campus, please see Crisis information.