Counselling Support

IHM students have access to staff for counselling and advice on appointment. An External counselling service is available, on referral, for the students of IHM to access as required.

They can talk about:

• Stress and depression
• Relationships and family matters
• Sexual assault
• Identity issues
• Study issues
• Suicidal thoughts or self-injury
• Homesickness
• Adjusting to the new environment or the Institute
• Motivation issues
• Exam stress
• Any other matters you would like to talk about in confidence.

IHM has arrangements in place with Relationships Australia to provide IHM counselling sessions and tele services to IHM students.

Relationships Australia

Relationships Australia is a leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families, and communities. It has offices in WA, NSW, and VIC making it convenient for IHM students to accessing their services. They are a community-based, not-for-profit Australian organisation with no religious affiliations. Their services are for all members of the community, regardless of religious beliefs, age, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle choice, cultural background, or economic circumstances.

How can IHM students access counselling and support services?

IHM students can access Counselling and Support Services from Relationships Australia. Upon identifying the counselling requirements for IHM students, the Student Support Officer will coordinate and plan for the counselling sessions. Relationships Australia will contact the students and organise their appointments.

Costs for Counselling and Support Services?

Up to two (2) sessions over a 12-month period are available free of charge at no costs to IHM students.

Additional sessions requested by students will be borne by the students’ cost at Relationships Australia’s standard private counselling rates (indicative costs are $150 per session).

Counselling rates for additional private sessions are also based on student income.

For more information, please visit here.

The following are four other sources for students to obtain counselling and support services:

1. Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue is another counselling and support agency that students can access for support and advice. Beyond Blue is a registered ‘charity’ with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission providing information and support to help anyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, regardless of age and/or location. They offer support, provide information and advice, and point the students to where they can get help: Contact phone: 1300 22 4636/ available 24 hours / 7 days a week.

For more details – Click here.

2. Head to Health

In addition, students are also encouraged to explore the Head to Health website, where students can find digital mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations, including the numbers to 24×7 phone counselling services that are free to access. Resources listed on the Head to Health are trusted Australian service provides with free or low-cost digital mental health resources that are nationally available.

3. Embrace Multicultural Mental Health services

Students can also find information and support in other languages through Embrace Multicultural Mental Health services Check here.

4. 13YARN

13YARN is a dedicated 24/7 crisis support line by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It offers a culturally safe and respectful space for individuals to speak with trained Indigenous crisis supporters. This service is free, available nationwide, and aims to provide tailored mental health support for the First Nations community. Contact phone: 13 92 76 / available 24 hours / 7 days a week.

For more details – Click here.