My colleague Chris is a wellbeing program beast! His 2025 offerings have been very well received by students. See what they said about the programs and perhaps get inspired to join one in 2026.
We (the collective of HCDS, Oasis and BetterU) run more student-wellbeing focused programs than most people can keep up with.
But as you can imagine, many of our programs are starting to wrap up for the year.
One of my colleagues who is responsible for the lions-share of our live program delivery – Chris O’Grady – just released his 2025 Wellbeing Program Report (see headline image below).
He has delivered a suite of programs that have made a real difference for students – creating safe, supportive environments and equipping participants with practical tools to thrive.
Some highlights include:
Mindfulness at the Core
Mindfulness has been a cornerstone of Chris’s work this year, with programs designed to help students manage stress and improve academic performance.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
A structured eight-week program that gave students tools to reduce anxiety and build resilience.- 90% completion rate
- 100% overall satisfaction
- Students reported improved concentration and stress management.
- “This program allowed me to take a step back from my stress and reduced my overall anxious thoughts.”
- Mindfulness for Academic Success
A five-week program focused on applying mindfulness techniques to study routines.- 63 students completed
- Impact across programs:
- Self-awareness ↑83%
- Concentration & attention ↑67%
- Academic functioning ↑62%
- General wellbeing ↑81%
- Student feedback:
“Learned techniques to improve concentration and work efficiency.”
“Talking about wellbeing in a group normalised challenges.”
Oh yeah and he did 34 online mindfulness meditations as well 😀
If you are wondering ‘why such a focus on mindfulness?’ – there are a few answers to that question.
First, psychological programs are by far the most effective and reliable interventions we (universities) have in our toolkit for supporting student wellbeing. Mindfulness fits into that category.
Second, this has become a real expertise area for Chris over the past couple of years having established his own mindfulness practice and trained in the internationally recognised MBSR model.
Third, mindfulness as a practice is foundational to other helpful study practices. Learning new study skills is better if done mindfully. Learning how to manage big emotions is better if done mindfully. Mindfulness training is a type of training that supports all other related trainings that a student might do whilst at university.
Expanding Support for Neurodiverse Students
But Chris didn’t stop at mindfulness.
Chris and Christine (Disability Advisor) also facilitated an ADHD Support Group, which students described as life-changing:
- “I know I’m not alone in my struggles and I have learnt some great strategies.”
- Participants valued community, accountability, and practical techniques for study and emotional regulation.
As neurodiversity-affirming practices become more common, this kind of support will only grow in importance.
This is also a good chance to shout-out the Neurodiversity Community of Practice (N-CoP) – that isn’t run by Chris – lol.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
MHFA continues to be a student favourite. It is an excellent CV builder and a vital skill set for life and work. One of the great developments in mental health over the last couple of decades has been the increase in mental health literacy in the Australian community. MHFA has been central in that progress.
This year’s sessions saw:
- 35 student attendances
- 100% recommendation rate
- Increased confidence in recognising signs of mental health challenges and encouraging help-seeking.
Why It Matters
Across all programs, students reported feeling more connected, supported, and equipped to manage stress and study demands. They highlighted the value of sharing wellbeing experiences in a safe space and learning practical tools they could apply immediately.
Chris’s passion for group processes and his ability to create inclusive, engaging environments have been key to this success. His work complements curriculum-based initiatives and strengthens the overall wellbeing ecosystem at Flinders.
Pride is an odd word at times, but I am proud of what he has built and continues to build.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned in the new year for details on when these programs will run again.
If you’re looking for wellbeing content in the meantime, BetterU will continue posting content throughout Dec and Jan.
