Shortages lead to new mental health placements on campus

Shortages lead to new mental health placements on campus

A shortage in mental health placements has spurred RMIT educators to create a mental health hub on campus.

Students in the Certificate IV in Mental Health and Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work now offer appointments and activities under the supervision of experienced staff at Peer Connect. They gain valuable practical experience in triaging mental health support needs, referring to the many services RMIT provides in-house, and providing resources around mental health strategies through a trauma-informed and recovery-oriented framework.

Peer Connect opened on Wednesday 9 October – and does not replace counselling or psychology, but instead operates like an intake system.

It will be open every Wednesday during semester, offering a series of student-led activities including drop-in appointments, ‘walk and talks’, art projects, storytelling and Dungeons & Dragons. The students have also created a Peer Connect website with further activities and resources to promote positive mental health and connection.

Peer Connect Students decorated the new Peer Connect space, located in Building 56 at RMIT's City campus

Program Coordinator, Fiona McLean, explained that the mental health sector is currently under immense pressure; it does not always have capacity to facilitate student placements.

“The newly opened Peer Connect allows us to provide a strong foundation block for students preparing for placement. They can undertake those first 20 or so placement hours on campus before entering sector placements equipped with more skills, a portfolio of professional development, and experience and familiarity working in a recovery-oriented framework,” McLean said.

“For those looking for mental health support, talking with a peer can feel less daunting. The purpose of Peer Connect is to add to the amazing networks and services RMIT already provides by adding another level of accessibility and support to students.

“Unlike other services, Peer Connect is facilitated and designed by those with living or lived experience of a mental health condition, and those in training to work in the sector. Peer Connect provides a space for students that is stigma-busting. It's a win-win for students on both sides.”

Peer Connect student peer worker, Tony Avard, explained the importance of providing a different type of support to the RMIT community.

“Peer work fits into so many different spaces in our community. It can connect with students who don’t want to engage with an institution. It can break down stigma. I am in a position to say “it happened to me, maybe it happened to you”. Suddenly there are 2 of you, then 5, then 10 and then you've broken down the stigma around a traumatic experience or mental health issue,” Avard said.

“Working with a psychologist is like following someone’s lead. Working with a peer worker is like walking alongside someone. It’s not trying to fix the person. It’s offering guidance, support, resources, information and connections to services.”

Peer Connect The mental health students have created a warm and inviting space for their peers to seek support.

The federal health department last year released the Mental Health Workforce – Educational Institutes Review which highlighted that there are already significant difficulties in securing placements for mental health students, before any future increase of students – which is needed to grow the sector.

Mish Eastman, RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education and Vice-President, said building a strong mental health workforce is essential to ensure accessible and effective care for all.

“Vocational education plays a critical role in providing future mental health professionals with the practical, hands-on experience needed to address real-world challenges with confidence and competence, and to meet the increasing demand for these services,” Eastman said.

While Peer Connect has a dedicated space at RMIT’s City campus, it will also host pop-ups in different university locations.

Peer Connect is funded by a 2024 City North Social Innovation Precinct Activation Fund grant.

The initiative builds on a similar project involving 6 students in early 2024. It has now grown to provide placements for up to 40 students.

Drop in times can be found on the website: rmit.edu.au/students/student-life/events/2024/oct/peer-connect

Story: Sarah Gates

10 October 2024

Share

Return to RMIT News
10 October 2024

Share

Engage

Related News

barcelona-urba-sensorial-26-image1-1220x732px.jpg

Urbà Sensorial: RMIT students take design to the streets of Barcelona

Students from RMIT University’s College of Design and Social Context, Politecnico di Milano (Polimi) and Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering (Elisava) joined forces for an intensive two-week design studio exploring urban regeneration through the senses.

Brendan O'Connor, Mish Eastman and Alex White, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian TAFE Association.

RMIT’s College of Vocational Education prepared to lead the way for tertiary harmonisation

RMIT’s College of Vocational Education (CoVE) has recently launched EVOLVE @ RMIT – its new strategic roadmap through to 2031 – designed to ensure RMIT leads the way in industry-connected, learner-centred education.

University staff, including Mish Eastman and Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos, with the minister.

RMIT welcomes Federal Minister to City campus for Earn and Learn showcase

The University was honoured to welcome Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, The Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP, to the City campus last week.

Sneaky Sound system

RMIT community comes together to celebrate the Class of 2025

With Sneaky Sound System setting the scene and honorary degrees awarded to two outstanding leaders from the art and business communities, the 2025 RMIT Melbourne Graduation Ceremony was full of highlights.

Show more
aboriginal flag float-start torres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information