A student incident is defined as a situation where a student's mental health or emotional wellbeing could be at risk. It is also relevant where there is a likelihood of self harm or harm to others.

If you experience a student incident, please follow the student incident protocols. 

Student Incident protocols

Examples of a student incident could include attempted suicide, a severe mental health episode, involvement in a traumatic event, threatening or violent behaviour.

1. Staff of the University should immediately contact Student Engagement when they become aware of a student incident. The agreed contact sequence is as follows:

• Manager, Counselling Service: 0438794675
• Director, Student Engagement: 0417373064

Student Engagement staff will advise on appropriate strategies for managing the critical student incident.

Note: Where the situation involves an immediate threat, such as a violent or armed student, contact University Security (Ext. 6666) before contacting the above individuals.

2. Depending on the nature of the incident, staff should consider taking disciplinary action by referring the matter to the Student Discipline Committee.

3. Depending on the nature of the incident, the Director, Student Engagement will convene a Student Incident Group to manage each incident.

4. The Director, Student Engagement will liaise with the relevant Principle Officer who will in turn liaise with the DVC Capital and Management Services as the Convenor of the University Emergency Management Team (EMT).

A full copy of the protocol and flow chart is available.

Crisis contacts

For mental health or psychiatric crisis, or if there is an immediate risk of suicide, contact the Psychiatric Triage Service near your campus:

• Footscray Park, Footscray Nicholson, Newport, Werribee: 1300 657 259 (24 hours, 7 days)
• Sunshine, Melton, St Albans: 1300 859 764 (24 hours, 7 days)
• City Flinders, City King, City Queen: 1300 304 407 (24 hours, 7 days)

Lifeline 131 114  Local Call costs
24-hour telephone counselling service 

Suicide Helpline 1300 651 251
Confidential telephone counselling, support and referral available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout Victoria for the cost of a local call.

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800  FREE CALL
24 hours a day, free, confidential and anonymous, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.

Contact us

• Student Engagement, St Albans campus: +61 3 9919 2399       
• Student Engagement, Footscray Nicholson campus: +61 3 9919 8801
• Student Engagement, Footscray Park campus: +61 3 9919 4418