Student Wellbeing
Last Updated: September 2024
As we all know so well, Med School is an incredibly exciting time of your life but can also be extremely stressful. Yes, getting the grades is important but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your wellbeing. Be sure to look after yourself and support your colleagues as we become the kinds of doctors who take care of our own health as well as our patients’.
Mental Health
About half of us in Australia are likely to experience a mental health problem in our lives – and that’s just the general population. Studying medicine puts increased pressure on us so it’s important to know where we can go for help and advice when it starts to get too much.
Flinders University offers its own counselling service. In FMSS, our Health and Wellbeing Director and Officer are available to listen to your concerns or just chat, and can refer you on to more appropriate support services at healthandwellbeing@fmss.org.au.
Mental Health in Medicine Seminar
Since 2010, this annual event invites students and doctors alike to speak about the “real-life” challenges of medicine, reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage help-seeking behaviour.
External Resources
- Lifeline: 24-hour support 13 11 14 (if life is in danger call 000)
- Beyond Blue: Depression, anxiety and related mental health issues
- Headspace: Youth mental health
- It Gets Brighter: Student mental health, co-founded by Flinders graduate
- Mensline: Men’s mental health
- Relationships Australia: Relationship support and counselling
- Sane Australia: National mental health charity
Mental Health Tips
- Have your own GP and see them regularly.
- Find a regular activity and walk, run or use the stairs whenever you can. Exercising = endorphins, which lifts your mood.
- Eat healthy and nutritious food regularly.
- Drink water! Dehydration and low vitamin D levels are associated with fatigue and low mood.
- Quality of sleep has a direct effect on your mental and physical health.
- Anticipating stressful times is important and putting in place additional support from your GP and a psychologist can be very useful.
Tips for Surviving Med School
Medical school will present a unique set of challenges. Med does take up a lot of your time, but try to keep up with things you enjoy outside of study such as sports, hobbies, and relaxing. Having interests outside of medicine is critical to good mental health.
Look out for your peers. Flinders University provides a free confidential counselling service (up to 6 sessions a year). If you are highly distressed and it is out of business hours, consider contacting Flinders’ Crisis Line on 1300 512 409 or text them on 0488 884 103.
Physical Wellbeing
Doctors Health SA: A GP service exclusively for doctors and medical students, offering acute care, comprehensive check-ups, and 24-hour confidential phone advice.
Flinders Health Service: On-campus GP services next to the Sports Centre.
Flinders One Fitness: On-campus gym facilities and training spaces.
SHINE SA: Sexual health clinics and counselling, bulk-billed for under 30s or Health Care card holders.