RUOK? Day is coming up – 12th September.
On that day we’re all reminded to check in with our friends, family members, peers and colleagues on how they are doing. Not just on the 12th Sept but any day, any time.
The simple gesture of asking someone how they are doing can start a powerful and meaningful conversation that helps that person find a way out of a difficult situation.
Part of helping someone out is awareness of the various supports that are available to them.
As part of the Flinders Community, you have at your fingertips many wellbeing-focused resources. These aren’t just limited to Health, Counselling and Disability Services – www.flinders.edu.au/hcd
For example, one relatively simple way to access additional support is to establish new connections. These might be new social connections for friendship or professional connections for advice.
In this blog post, we look at the many ways that you can connect with new people during your time here at Flinders. Meeting new people can be a little nerve-wracking but the benefits definitely outweigh the costs.
New people means new opportunities, new activities, new ideas, new options, new projects. Perhaps you can find people with a common interest or who can help you develop a new skill/talent. Perhaps talking to someone outside of your normal social group can help you solve a problem that had been holding you back.
Global Connections and Conversations Groups
Fun informal conversation sessions focused on learning about each others’ cultures, improving conversation and social skills, developing cross-cultural relationships, building closer connections within the university community and becoming truly global citizens. Run out of OASIS – https://oasis.flinders.edu.au/global-connections-and-conversations-groups/
Chaplains
The Flinders University Chaplaincy team at OASIS cater for student’s spiritual and religious wellbeing, offering a listening ear, or networking you in with other university services or outside faith groups – https://oasis.flinders.edu.au/faith-and-spirituality/
Welfare support
Need advice on issues around accommodation, financial issues/hardship, or solving academic problems. The professional Student Assist team at FUSA are a great place to start – https://fusa.edu.au/studentassist/
Wellbeing Ambassadors
Ali from OASIS coordinates a group of keen students who want to spread the word on mental health and wellbeing. To learn more about the ambassador program, email Ali on abarnes@flinders.edu.au or visit the OASIS site for a blog post about when I met the ambassadors for the first time.
FUSA Clubs
There is a club for just about every interest here on campus. A simple way to meet new people is to join a club in an area of interest to you – https://fusa.edu.au/clubs/
Horizon Professional Development Awards Program
The Horizon Professional Development Awards program is an opportunity to develop valuable career-oriented skills and meet like minded students at the same time – www.flinders.edu.au/horizon
Counselling
Get advice from a trained professional on how to deal with different academic or personal problems – https://students.flinders.edu.au/student-services/hcd/counselling
Want to learn more about the RUOK? movement – visit the OASIS Events page or the Facebook Event to learn more about what is happening on-campus on the 12th September.