If this is urgent
If it is an emergency, please call 000 (Australia only).
If you are experiencing distress and need to urgently speak with someone, please contact:
- CDU Wellbeing Support Line 1300 933 393 and SMS 0488 884 144
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Mental Health Crisis Line 1800 011 511
- Beyond Blue Support Service 1300 224 636
- or attend your local hospital emergency department.
If you are on campus and there is an emergency, call 000, then alert University Security on 1800 646 501 or through SafeZone app.
If you are not in Australia, please contact your emergency service, mental health practitioner, doctor, or support organisation in the country where you are currently residing.
CDU Wellbeing Support Line
The CDU Wellbeing Support Line is available 24 hours if you need to speak with someone urgently.
Ph: 1300 933 393
SMS: 0488884144
Emotional distress and crisis response protocol
CDU has an Emotional Distress and Crisis response protocol to guide anyone providing immediate support to someone in distress.
Attending counselling
Short-term individual counselling sessions and regular group wellbeing sessions are provided by the counselling team. There is often high demand for this service.
These services are free and confidential to all students experiencing personal, family, mental health, or general wellbeing concerns that are affecting their study. Your attendance at counselling or group wellbeing sessions is voluntary.
In both individual and group settings, counsellors endeavour to create spaces where you feel safe. You will work with a counsellor to develop wellbeing strategies that are right for you. Counsellors will also support your steps to accessing more intensive and ongoing support through another provider if required.
Confidentiality and informed consent
It is a requirement that the Counselling Service has your written consent before engaging in counselling. Consent relates to counselling service provision, confidentiality, and privacy.
If risk or safety issues are identified, the counsellors may need to release information to other parties to keep yourself or others safe.
Your counsellor is legally required to waive your confidentiality if they have reasonable cause to believe you may harm yourself or others or there is an imminent threat of harm/danger to yourself, other adults and children, or CDU.
In these circumstances, they will first endeavour to discuss with you the action they will be taking to ensure the safety of you and/or others. All efforts will be made to have this discussion with you in person, if it is safe and possible for them to do so.
Explore our groups
Join us in a safe online space to grow and learn about wellbeing and build preparedness for seeking support as required.
You can attend one, some, or all these sessions to:
- Grow your ways for wellbeing while studying.
- Develop emotional regulation strategies during stressful times.
- Learn, ask questions, and make decisions about all the student support services you can access.
Appointments
Counsellors can meet with you in-person (Casuarina and Sydney campuses only) or via telephone/video meeting.
Single session appointments will be 30 minutes.
If you would like a one-off session for wellbeing support.
Initial appointments will be 30 minutes.
If you have not seen a counsellor in the last 6 months and you would like multiple counselling sessions.
Subsequent individual appointments will be 45 minutes.
If you are seeking up to 5 additional appointments. Counsellors can also discuss ways of accessing long term therapy options.
Counselling locations and enquiries
Casuarina campus
Student Support Services, Blue 5.1
Mon–Thurs: 8:30am–4pm (ACST)
Fri: 8:30am–3pm (ACST)
Sydney campus
Level 8, 815 George Street, Haymarket
Wednesday – Fridays: 8:30am–4pm (AEST/AEDT)
Online
Booking appointments
Request a counselling appointment.
If emailing about other enquiries, please provide:
- your name
- student number
- contact phone number
We will endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours.
Email: counselling@cdu.edu.au
Reporting sexual assault and sexual harassment
Charles Darwin University is committed to providing a safe, secure and supportive environment. If you, or someone you know, has experienced sexual misconduct, we encourage you to report this.
Explore options
There are different options for reporting that you may consider.
Make a report
You can lodge a disclosure, make a formal report, or report anonymously.
Counselling
If you prefer to talk to a Counsellor who can provide guidance and advice. Please book a free and confidential appointment.
Staying well
There are many things that cause stress in our daily lives, such as study, finances, work and family.
We have put together ideas and resources to help you to keep your wellbeing in check throughout study and life.
Learn moreWho attends counselling?
People attend counselling for all kinds of reasons.
These could relate to emotional distress, mental health challenges, family and relationships, distressing or traumatic life events, stressor, stress responses and coping strategies.
People also attend counselling to grow their wellbeing strategies, maintain their wellbeing, or draw on them when faced with challenges.