For universities to be places where people thrive both academically and personally, they need an authentic, supportive culture and a framework that fosters positive mental health and wellbeing for all staff and students. This framework needs to include the provision of appropriate support or timely and effective referral to support when mental health difficulties arise. A big part of that is having real and relevant conversations between peers, staff and students to notice any mental health difficulties and seek out appropriate support and services that may be necessary.

Notice, inquire, provide: What to notice, how to inquire, and how to provide support when you are concerned about the mental health of someone you know.

2020 is the year that facts, evidence and data became more critical than ever before. As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, Australia turned to university experts, research and facilities to educate and inform. Before that, universities helped with our understanding and response to the summertime bushfire crisis.

When a suicide occurs, the effect on those touched by it – families, friends, communities – is immediate and traumatic. The impact on a university community is no different. It often happens unexpectedly and leaves the institution with many questions about what to do next. Universities have an important responsibility to respond in a safe and evidence-informed way so the health and safety of the university community is protected.

This practical guidance has been prepared for universities and their leaders to reduce to an acceptable level the risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission in university environments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The strong business case for partnering with universities

An initial response from Australia’s universities to the national student survey on sexual assault and sexual harassment

Universities and the startup economy

This report was prepared for Universities Australia by Deloitte Access Economics.