The University of Melbourne is conducting the University Health Promotion Program which aims to improve and support students’ health and wellbeing. The program does this by leading evidence-based campaigns and activities on campus, and helping students to be aware of the wellbeing support and services available at the University.
Healthier students, healthier communities
Juggling study, work and a social life can be both fun and challenging when you’re at university. Looking after your physical, mental, social, and sexual wellbeing is important. Watch the video below for some advice from current students here at the University of Melbourne.
Why is health and wellbeing important?
There are many reasons for taking care of your health and wellbeing. Here’s some of what we know:
- 64.2% of university students described academic experiences as ‘very’ or ‘extremely stressful’ (National Tertiary Student Wellbeing Survey 2016)
- 80% of both local and international students report feeling at least a little concerned about their current mental or emotional state (Towards a Health Promoting University, 2020)
- 75% of chlamydia rates are among people aged 15-29 years (Kirby Institute, 2018)
- 1 in 7 university students experience food insecurity, and 1 in 4 Indigenous university students experience hunger (Universities Australia, 2018)
Wellbeing is about maintaining a positive state of mind and attitude towards yourself, relationships and experiences at and beyond university. It’s about looking after important aspects of your life that help you to live, feel, and study well – including healthy eating, mental health, and sexual health. Studies have shown that positive student wellbeing has been linked with improved academic performance and outcomes (Ansari & Stock, 2010).
The Team
We’re a team of students and staff who work towards greater health and wellbeing across the student community at the University of Melbourne.
Peer Health Advocates and Project Assistants are recruited annually at the start of each calendar year. Applications for 2022 PHAs are now closed, please keep an eye out for further volunteering opportunities. To get in contact please e-mail us at [email protected]
Further Information
Visit the University Health Promotion Program website to see What’s On and how to participate.
Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis AM is the Immediate Past President of the AFMW (2020-2023), former President of VMWS (2013 & 2017-2020) and current AFMW National Coordinator (2024-2026). She is a full time clinician who also holds positions on several not for profit organisations, driven by her passion for bridging gaps across the health sector. She is a leading women’s health expert, keynote speaker, climate change and gender equity advocate and government advisor.
Magdalena was awarded a lifetime membership of the RACGP for her contributions which include past chair of Women in General Practice, longstanding contribution to the RACGP Expert Committee Quality Care, the RACGP eHealth Expert Committee. She is regularly invited to comment on primary care research though mainstream and medical media and contributes articles on various health issues through newsGP and other publications.
Magdalena has represented the RACGP at senate enquiries and has worked on several National Health Framework reviews. She is author of the RACGP Guide on Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery and co-reviewer of the RACGP Red Book Women’s Health Chapter, and reviewer of the RACGP White book
Both an RACGP examiner and University examiner, she undertakes general practice research and is a GP Educator with the Safer Families Centre of Research Excellence, which develops education tools to assist the primary care sector identify, respond to and manage family violence . Roles outside of RACGP include the Strategy and Policy Committee for Breast Cancer Network Australia, Board Director of the Melbourne University Teaching Health Clinics and the elected GP representative to the AMA Federal Council. In 2022. she was award the AMA (Vic) Patrick Pritzwald-Steggman Award 2022, which celebrates a doctor who has made an exceptional contribution to the wellbeing of their colleagues and the community and was listed as Women’s Agenda 2022 finalist for Emerging Leader in Health.
Magdalena has presented at the United Nations as part of the Australian Assembly and was appointed the Australian representative to the World Health Organisation, World Assembly on COVID 19, by the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) in 2021. In 2023, A/Professor Simonis was included on the King’s COVID-19 Champion’s list and was also awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division for significant service to medicine through a range of roles and to women’s health.
