Mental Health Support Resources and Counselling Appointments at ANU

中文版

The Australian National University (ANU) ranked 62nd in the 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and around 44% of its students are international students (ANU Annual Report 2023). As the pressures of studying abroad mount, mental health support has become a key factor in completing a degree successfully. ANU provides a multi-tiered, free, and confidential mental health service system that spans everything from immediate crisis intervention to long-term counselling. According to the Australian Government’s 2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, about 30% of international students report experiencing moderate to severe psychological distress during their time overseas. Knowing how to book and use these resources is essential for anyone studying at ANU.

On-campus core counselling services

ANU Counselling Centre is the primary official channel for students seeking mental health support. The centre offers free, short-term, and confidential counselling to all enrolled students, with no extra insurance or fees required. Services include individual counselling, group therapy, and workshops on specific issues such as exam anxiety, time management, and cross-cultural adjustment.

Booking process and waiting times

Students can book through the online booking system or by calling the centre directly. The first session is usually a 20-30 minute initial assessment (Triage Appointment) that explores the student’s needs and matches them with the most suitable counsellor or service. According to ANU 2024 student services data, the average wait for a first non-urgent appointment is 5-10 business days. For urgent cases, the centre offers same-day “crisis counselling” slots; students can call or walk in to the centre office on campus (Building 12, 1 Childers Street).

Session formats and duration

Counselling is offered face-to-face, by phone, or by video conference. Regular counselling is short-term in design, typically providing 6-8 sessions of about 50 minutes each. If a student needs longer-term or specialist treatment (such as a psychiatric diagnosis), the counsellor will recommend a referral to an external specialist practice or community health service.

24/7 crisis hotlines and immediate support

For students who need help outside business hours or right away, ANU partners with external specialist agencies to provide round-the-clock crisis support. These services are for any student feeling anxious or depressed, having thoughts of self-harm, or going through a traumatic event.

ANU 24/7 mental health hotline

ANU has partnered with Lifeline and Beyond Blue to run a dedicated ANU crisis support hotline (1300 572 112). The line is staffed by trained crisis counsellors and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. When students call this number they are connected directly to professional support without going through the campus switchboard. According to Lifeline 2023 data, its crisis line answers calls in under 60 seconds on average.

Other immediate support channels

Students can also use the following external services:

• Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 (24-hour crisis support)
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (24-hour mental health support)
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 (24-hour telephone counselling)
• Kids Helpline (for young people under 25): 1800 55 1800

All external hotlines are free and confidential, and offer multilingual interpreter services (via TIS National).

Multicultural and international student support

ANU recognises the unique challenges international students face — cultural adjustment, language barriers, and visa pressure — and has therefore established International Student Advisors and a multicultural support team. These advisors can offer initial mental health guidance and help with stressors related to studies, visas, and accommodation.

International Student Advisors (ISAs)

International Student Advisors are based at Student Central and offer free, one-on-one appointments. They can help students understand the Australian health system, connect them with mental health services in Chinese or other languages, and, when needed, accompany students to the university health centre or counselling centre. In 2023 ANU added 2 full-time advisors dedicated to international student psychological support, responding to demand from the Chinese student community.

Culture and language adjustment workshops

Each semester ANU runs Cultural Adjustment Workshops covering Australian cultural norms, how to build a local social network, and strategies for coping with homesickness. The workshops are usually facilitated by multicultural advisors and use bilingual materials in English and Chinese. In the first semester of 2024, participation in these workshops was up 15% year on year (ANU Student Affairs Office data).

ANU Health Centre and medical referrals

ANU Health Centre, located at the centre of campus, provides general practitioner (GP) services, nursing consultations, and medical mental health support. For students who need medication or a psychiatric diagnosis, the health centre is the key referral gateway.

GPs and mental health treatment plans

Students can book a GP at the health centre to assess their mental health. If the GP considers it necessary, they can issue a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). Students with an MHTP can access up to 20 sessions a year with a psychologist or psychiatrist funded by Medicare (each session reimburses the student roughly A$85-A$130, depending on the Medicare rebate rate). According to Australian Department of Health 2023 data, students with an MHTP typically receive their first specialist appointment within 14 days.

Psychiatry services

For students who need medication management or a complex diagnosis, the health centre offers on-campus psychiatry referrals. Psychiatry appointments usually require a GP referral letter and involve longer waits (about 4-8 weeks). ANU is working with ACT Health with the goal of cutting on-campus psychiatry wait times to under 3 weeks by 2025.

When paying cross-border tuition fees, some study-abroad families use specialist channels such as Flywire tuition payment to complete the currency transfer, reducing exchange-rate risk and ensuring funds arrive on time, which in turn eases the extra psychological strain caused by financial worries.

Peer support and student societies

Beyond professional services, ANU also offers informal mental health support through peer support networks and student societies. These channels help students build a sense of belonging and reduce loneliness.

ANU student peer support program

The program is run by trained student volunteers and provides anonymous, non-judgemental listening. Peer supporters do not offer professional counselling, but they can share personal experience, point to campus resources, and encourage students to contact professional services when needed. In 2023 the program handled more than 400 conversations, about 35% of which involved academic stress or anxiety.

Mental health societies

ANU has several registered student societies focused on mental health, including ANU Mindful Society, ANU Mental Health Alliance, and the ANU Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA). These societies regularly run meditation classes, stress-relief workshops, and social events, and provide a Chinese-speaking environment for international students. In the first semester of 2024, CSSA organised 3 mental health talks with Canberra-based psychologists delivering sessions in Chinese.

Online self-help resources and digital tools

For students who prefer to explore on their own, ANU offers a range of online mental health resources and digital tools that can be accessed any time without an appointment.

ANU Wellbeing App

The official ANU Wellbeing App (available on the iOS and Android app stores) offers self-assessment tools, meditation guides, sleep improvement programs, and a directory of campus resources. In 2023 the app passed 2,000 downloads, with users spending 15 minutes a week in the app on average.

Online mental health courses

ANU partners with THIS WAY UP, a leading Australian online mental health platform, to give students free access to self-guided cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) courses. The courses cover anxiety, depression, insomnia, and stress management. Students can register with their ANU email for 12 months of free access. THIS WAY UP courses have been shown in Australian clinical research to reduce mild-to-moderate anxiety symptoms by 40% (THIS WAY UP 2022 clinical effectiveness report).

Confidentiality and privacy protection

All mental health services strictly comply with Australia’s Privacy Act 1988 and the Health Records Act. Students’ counselling records are not automatically shared with academic departments, visa authorities, or family members, except where there is a threat to life or a legal requirement.

Access to records

Counselling records are kept only by the counsellor and the health centre and are not included in academic transcripts or visa files. When a student is under 18, parents or guardians may request access in certain circumstances, but students aged 18 and over normally have full control over their privacy. In 2023 ANU updated its privacy policy to make explicit that mental health records are kept completely separate from academic records.

Impact on visas

Seeking mental health counselling does not affect a student’s visa status. The Department of Home Affairs does not require applicants to disclose counselling records when assessing visa applications. However, if a student takes a leave of absence or withdraws from study for mental health reasons, they must provide medical evidence to the Department to support a waiver of visa conditions. Students are advised to consult an International Student Advisor before making any decision that could affect their visa.

FAQ

Q1: Does ANU counselling cost anything? Can international students use it for free?

No. ANU Counselling Centre offers free services to all enrolled students, including international students. Neither the initial assessment nor subsequent short-term counselling (usually 6-8 sessions) costs anything. If a student is referred to an external specialist, Medicare or Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) may cover part of the cost. Under ANU 2024 policy, international students can access up to 10 free on-campus counselling sessions per year.

Q2: How can I book counselling in Chinese?

Students can book Chinese-language services in the following ways: 1) call ANU Counselling Centre (02 6125 2442) and ask for a Chinese-speaking service — the centre will arrange a Chinese-speaking counsellor or a three-way call with the TIS interpreting service; 2) walk in to Student Central to book an International Student Advisor; 3) note your language preference when submitting a booking request through the ANU Wellbeing App. In 2024 ANU had 2 full-time Chinese-speaking counsellors offering about 20 Chinese-language counselling slots per week.

Q3: What if I feel extremely anxious late at night?

Late at night or on weekends, students can call the ANU 24/7 crisis hotline (1300 572 112), which runs all year round with an average response time of under 60 seconds. Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) also provide 24-hour interpreter services in Chinese. If you are in immediate danger, call 000 (Australia’s emergency services number) and tell the operator your location and situation.

References

• Australian National University. 2023. ANU Annual Report 2023.
• Australian Government Department of Health. 2022. National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2022.
• Lifeline Australia. 2023. Crisis Line Operations Data Report.
• THIS WAY UP. 2022. Clinical Effectiveness Evaluation Report for CBT Courses.
• Privacy Act 1988 and Health Records Act (Australia).
• UNILINK Education. 2024. ANU Student Mental Health Services Database.