Statement: RMIT city campus incident

Mental health and wellbeing is an ongoing challenge for many people in our community - classmates, colleagues, friends and family.

We acknowledge the pressures of university life are real, just as they are in the other parts of our lives, and we know the events of this week will affect everyone differently.

No member of the RMIT community should feel alone. If you are worried about yourself or someone else, please know that support is available. Counselling services have been made available on level 7 of building 80 until further notice as well as our usual support services on level 4 of building 8.

The following services are also accessible via phone:

• Student support: 9925 5000 (follow the prompts)
• Staff support: 1300 786 860 and 0431 119 909 (after hours)
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36
• Eheadspace: 1800 650 890

If you are worried that you can’t keep yourself or someone else safe right now, call 000 and ask for the police or ambulance, or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.

While we understand some people want more information, out of respect for the families and people involved, we will not be sharing any details about these events.

We are working with Headspace to ensure the RMIT community continues to be supported. Our thoughts and priorities are with those directly impacted by the events of this week, and those who need further assistance. 

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Further Information (Updated 9 August)

Why did RMIT make support services available in building 80 after the events?

RMIT’s immediate priority was to have additional counselling services in place for anyone who witnessed the events or were impacted by them. Additional services were temporarily located in building 80 to ensure they were placed in the area of greatest and most immediate need.

Student counselling services were also available in their usual location of level 4 of building 8, where they continue to be located on a permanent basis.

Building 80 counselling services have now ended.

What do RMIT's counselling services look like?

Professional counsellors are available to address personal issues, study stress or mental health concerns in a confidential environment.

All RMIT students can access free counselling services in person (level 4, building 8) during business hours. For non-emergency situations, RMIT provides counselling services by appointment.

While reducing waiting times for these services is an area of continued focus, RMIT also provides immediate, on-the-day appointments for students in significant distress. The University also offers 24/7 support for students with a University crisis line (phone and text) out of hours.

• 9925 5000 (business hours, follow prompts – also connects to crisis line after hours)
• 1300 305 737 (after hours)
• 0488 884 162 (after hours text)

The new Medical Hub @ RMIT opening 19 August will help students to more easily access mental health care plans and psychiatric referrals.

What does RMIT do to support students from a health, safety and wellbeing perspective?

The health and safety of RMIT’s students is the University’s number one priority. RMIT was the first university in Australia to adopt the Framework for Enhancing Student Mental Wellbeing in 2017.

To ensure students are supported through their studies, RMIT provides wellbeing services including counselling, opportunities to make friends with other students and support for issues like study and exam stress. We are also committed to providing a safe and respectful place to study. The Safer Community team provides support and advice to students and staff concerned about threatening or inappropriate behaviour.

The University has 24-hour security on all campuses. If there is an emergency situation, security staff are available to respond immediately (9925 3333). Students can also download the RMIT SafeZone app, which provides instant access to campus security and support.

RMIT offers RUSU compass, Mates @ RMIT, Women’s Room, Queer Lounge, Ngarara Willim, Chill’n’grill, Welfare on Wheels, free breakfasts and a variety of clubs, societies and student leadership opportunities and the University continues to work closely with leading organisations and experts in the area of mental health, including Headspace and Beyond Blue.

A summary of RMIT’s support services are available online.

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Statement (5 August)

RMIT can confirm there has been an incident at our city campus in Building 80 (Stewart St), which has resulted in a fatality.

We are working with Victoria Police to understand the nature of the incident, including further support for the individual’s family.

The safety of our community and their support is our primary focus. People are asked to avoid the area with back entrance of Building 80 and Stewart Street are now closed.

There is no immediate danger and no threat to staff or students. Police and emergency services are in attendance have the situation under control.

Staff from the Employee Assistance Program are on site. Support services are available in rooms 80.07.11, 80.07.12, 80.07.18 and 80.07.34.

Support staff can also be reached on:

• Students: 9925 5000
• Staff: 1300 786 860 and 0431 119 909 (after hours)
• Lifeline: 13 11 14

All classes in Building 80 have been cancelled until 5.30pm and we are asking staff and students to stay away from the area while authorities manage the situation. The back entrance of Building 80 and Stewart Street are now closed.