Edith Cowan University has announced a trial of Write Smarter: Feel Better, the CRC for Mental Health’s proactive mental health program which connects postgraduate students through peer mentoring and writing.
“We know that the factors which impact on mental wellbeing are incredibly complex. ECU offers a range of fantastic support services for students at all levels, but we also realise that postgraduate students face some unique pressures,” said Associate Professor Simon Laws from ECU’s School of Medical and Health Sciences which will host the trial.
“Having a strong peer support network can play an important role in gaining practical guidance and support when problems arise. The format of Write Smarter: Feel Better means that the sessions are split between facilitated group discussions and silent writing time, which means that students can be making progress on their studies at the same time as taking a proactive approach to managing their own wellbeing.”
Developed by the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health, Write Smarter: Feel Better is peer-led so that students can discuss issues of direct relevance to them. All student facilitators in the ECU program are graduates of mental health first aid training and have regular interactions with university staff. The program is being trialled in ECU’s School of Medical and Health Sciences with the support of a teaching and learning grant. Following evaluation of the trial, a wider roll-out may take place in 2019.
Sabine Bird, facilitator of the program and a recent PhD graduate, said her involvement in Write Smarter: Feel Better during the CRC for Mental Health pilot has had lasting benefits.
“Attending monthly sessions with other PhD students meant that we could talk about our frustrations or successes in a space where we knew we were all going through similar experiences. It was fun catching up with other people and I always learned something,” said Sabine.
“It’s exciting that ECU will be incorporating our suggestions to make sure the Write Smarter: Feel Better trial is inclusive. We’ll be incorporating remote dial-in options for students who may have parental or carer duties, medical conditions or other factors which make it difficult to attend campus regularly.”
The CRC for Mental Health is pleased to partner with Edith Cowan University on this trial. ECU provides a number of services to all currently enrolled students, including the free and confidential ECU Counselling Service.