Take time to ask the question: Are you OK?
One in four people of university age will develop a mental illness. On RUOK? Day, it could be life-changing to take the time to ask someone how they are going.
By CHRISTIANE BARRO
Are you okay? Monash University is hosting a full day of health and well-being events in honour of this very simple question today.
The university has partnered with non-profit organisation RUOK for the first time and, as part of the initiative, RUOK Day activities will take place across every campus.
The aim of the day is to encourage and remind people of the need to ask family and friends the simple question: “Are you okay?”
RUOK Day ambassador Eleana Arielle said it was an opportunity “to finally discuss what is going on, as opposed to bottling it up – to acknowledge there is a problem and seek help, or just a reminder that [you’re] not alone”.
Ms Arielle said the day could prompt life-changing conversations for those in need.
The day is also designed to encourage a growth in dialogue over mental health.
“A topic that was once quite taboo and stigmatised is slowly changing,” Ms Arielle said.
There has been a significant rise in participation levels within mental health and well-being programs at Monash University.
According to Counselling Services and Mental Health Programs manager Andrew Marks, in 2014 the university’s well-being programs had an overall attendance rate just shy of 3500 students.
Mr Marks said the prevalence of mental illness tended to be higher among undergraduate students.
“The transition from school, the change to independent learning, and the separation from family as a result of moving away from home, can often be quite challenging and tends to spark a rise in mental illness,” he said.
Mr Marks emphasised the overwhelming impact of financial stress on an individual’s mental state.
“Most post-grad students will be able to access scholarships and work part time – Youth Allowance for independent rates only cuts in at age 22. A lot of students, particularly at Monash, would not be eligible for Austudy or Youth Allowance,” he said.
Mr Marks explained that as a result of this and other pressures faced by students, 10 per cent of Monash undergraduates attended face-to-face counselling services in 2014.
With just over 600 enrolments this year “the number of students we are putting through mental health first aid training has skyrocketed”, he said.
The Mental health first aid initiative provides students with practical strategies and steps they can take to de-escalate a particular situation and seek timely support when necessary.
The university’s SMART program has seen the highest rate of participation, particularly among undergraduate students.
This is a five-week academic enhancement program that looks at basic study skills such as time management, stress management and conflict resolution.
It includes strategies to maximise employability and maintain motivation throughout the university year.
There has also been a high demand for the Mindfulness programs at Monash.
“Our demand outstrips our capacity to present those programs,” Mr Marks said.
Monash’s Mindfulness programs involve a range of attention training practices and cognitive strategies to help establish a positive mentality towards oneself and the future.
Monash University mental health programs coordinator Minto Felix joined the university as a staff member three months ago.
Mr Felix said his decision to do so was largely influenced by the quality and vast range of mental health and wellbeing programs offered by the university.
“Monash is an absolute leader in the higher education space … in the way we support our students with mental health needs and also promote them to live and strive.
We’ve got a great deal of initiatives to be proud of,” he said.
Mr Felix added that there are still some issues around stigma that need to be worked on.
According to a Department of Health and Human Services study, one in four people aged between 12 and 24 will develop a mental health illness – and many of them will be university students.
An estimated 65,000 people attempt suicide each year in Australia.
Mr Marks said: “It's not just about the numbers, it's also the severity of the types of illnesses and the impact it has on students capacity to study.
"We’re sending more students to hospital now than we have in the past,” he said.
Monash University is set to establish an easily accessible online Moodle unit around mental health literacy.
It will aim to look at different mental illnesses - teaching students to recognise signs that indicate they need to seek help and support.
To find an RUOK Day activity at your campus visit http://www.monash.edu/ruokday.
