Safety and Well-being
Emergency Contact
Emergency: In Australia, if you need the police, fire brigade or ambulance urgently call: 000. Then contact the Student Services Manager for additional support, or if it is after hours, contact Sydney State College Welfare Management at: +61 0420 707 909.
All Sydney State College staff are eager to help ensure the safety, wellbeing and health of our students, and the Student Services team is the best place to start. However, if it is after hours or you prefer online assistance, there are many useful online and telephone resources.
For Physical Health concerns: Health direct: 1800 022 222; free 24/7 advice from a registered nurse who will advise if you should see a GP, manage the condition at home or go to a hospital emergency department.
For Mental Health concerns: NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511 – staffed 24/7 by mental health professionals who can assess the urgency of your issue and direct you to appropriate local help.
A regularly updated list of support services is on the notice board at reception.
Health
In the case of serious illness or injury occurring on campus, please report to the Student Services. A first aid kit is available in the Student Services’ office, located on level 1.
Safety
While Sydney is generally safe, as in any large city, it is important to take precautions whilst travelling. People who are alert, which includes not wearing headphones, are less likely to be a target. Be aware of the location of the Emergency Help Points at train stations and try to stay in well-lit areas. Ask shop keepers or bartenders for help if you feel unsafe.
For more personal safety tips and crime prevention, you can visit the safety page of City of Sydney via: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/safety/crime-prevention/what-you-can-do. Multi-languages are available. Also see the Sydney State College Student Handbook for more tips.
Other useful telephone help services in Sydney:
- Victims of Crime Support Line: 9374 3000
- Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
- NSW Rape Crisis Centre: 98196565 or 1800 424 017
- Eastern and Central Sexual Assault Services: 9515 3680
- Crisis Service-ask for after-hours crisis workers: 9515 6111
Mental Wellbeing and Counselling
Sydney State College has partnered with Interrelate for counselling support. Students are encouraged to seek support from qualified counsellor if they wish to talk about study or personal issues. Interrelate will provide free and confidential professional support, advice and counseling to all students either over the phone, via video or face to face.
When booking, please state that you are a Student Assistance Provider client and you are currently studying at SSC. The service is free and confidential and you are not identified to the SSC.
To book your appointment, Call Interrelate on 1300 289 646
Our Senior Student Service Manager and the academic and administrative teams have an open-door policy and are willing to talk to you about any matters you may be facing. Individual assistance is available for students in need of specialised counselling. Inquire at Students Services for assistance.
If you would prefer 24/7 immediate external support, you can call one of the following numbers
- Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14, https://www.lifeline.org.au/;
- Salvo Youth Line: 9360 3000
- Salvo Suicide Prevention: 9331 2000
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636; https://www.beyondblue.org.au/home
- Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
- Alcohol and Drug Counselling: 9799 1199
- Online support can also be found at:
- Headspace – https://headspace.org.au/; a place where young people or their friends and family can learn about mental health issues or get support;
- Reach Out – https://about.au.reachout.com/; practical support, tools and tips help young people and their parents get through anything from everyday issues to tough times;
- Black Dog Institute – https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/about-us/who-we-are/overview, information to help with the identification, prevention and treatment of mental illness, and the promotion of wellbeing; and/or
- https://mindspot.org.au/ – online assessment and treatment for stress, anxiety and depression.
Also remember to maintain your good mental health through building relationships, exercising, eating a healthy diet, avoiding excess alcohol or drugs, getting a good night’s sleep, regular check-ups with the doctor and seeking help if you feel you are not coping as well as you could be. (Source: Tips for good mental health https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tips-for-good-mental-health; Accessed 23/07/2019.)
Cyber Safety
Avoid identity theft. Do not share your personal information with parties that you do not know or trust online through social media, emails or through any other online modes of communication.
Sydney State College has a top-quality firewall and virus protection in place to protect you while using the Internet and your personal information.
However, Sydney State College does not accept any responsibility for the misuse of your personal information that you may provide to an unauthorised party that is not connected to Sydney State College while using your student email and facilities. Sydney State College accepts no responsibility if you visit a site that is clearly dangerous from your personal system and effectively pass on viruses or malware to your peers.
If you think you are the victim of cyberbullying, please talk to your Student Services Manager. If possible, please save evidence of the alleged conduct in the event that the Student Services Manager needs to conduct investigations.
If a student is found to have engaged in cyberbullying, Sydney State College will not tolerate such behavior, and this may attract penalties.
How can we help you?
Prefer to speak with our student consultant? Send us a message, and we will get in touch to you soon.
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