Student Wellbeing
Last Updated: 23 September 2021
As we all know so well, Med School is an incredibly exciting time of your life but can also be extremely stressful. Yes, getting the grades is important but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your wellbeing. Be sure to look after yourself and support your colleagues as we become the kinds of doctors who take care of our own health as well as our patients’. Here are some resources that will help you if you are struggling.
Mental Health
About half of us in Australia are likely to experience a mental health problem in our lives - and that’s just the general population. Studying medicine puts increased pressure on us so it’s important to know where we can go for help and advice when it starts to get too much.
Flinders University offers its own counselling service, and you may find some useful tips on their page. Meanwhile, FMC runs regular free meditation sessions for staff and medical students.
In FMSS our Health and Wellbeing Director and Officer are available to listen to your concerns or just chat, and can refer you on to more appropriate support services if needed. You can contact them on healthandwellbeing@fmss.org.au.
Mental Health in Medicine Seminar
Since 2010, this annual event invites students and doctors alike to speak about the “real-life” challenges of medicine, reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage help-seeking behaviour. In 2021, the theme is “Who cares for the carer?” This is particularly important at a time where our professional community is being stretched through the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hear from experts about mental health issues and techniques to manage them, and also from some brave fellow students who are willing to share their stories and show you that you are not alone in whatever you are going through.
External resources
Lifeline - 24-hour support 13 11 14 (if life is in danger call 000)
Beyond Blue - depression, anxiety and related mental health issues
Headspace - youth mental health
It Gets Brighter - student mental health, co-founded by Flinders graduate
Mensline - men's mental health
Relationships Australia - relationship support and counselling
Sane Australia - national mental health charity
Mental Health Tips
Have your own GP and see them regularly.
Find a regular activity and walk, run or use the stairs whenever you can. Exercising = endorphins, which lifts your mood. Exercise also increases your energy levels and helps you get good sleep
Eat healthy and nutritious food regularly.
Drink! Water, that is. Dehydration and low vitamin D levels are associated with fatigue and low mood. Adequate water intake and exposure to sunlight to maintain Vitamin D levels can help fix that.
Quality of sleep has a direct effect on your mental and physical health. Lack of sleep or poor sleep can cause irritability, reduced concentration, impaired memory and can affect your immune system.
Anticipating stressful times is important and putting in place additional support from your GP and a psychologist can be very useful
Know where to receive support and please don't be afraid to seek it. You are not alone.
Tips for surviving Med School
Medical school will present a unique set of challenges and experiences which can at times be overwhelming. Med does take up a lot of your time, but try to keep up with things you enjoy outside of study such as sports, hobbies, and relaxing. You don’t need to give medicine everything you have in order to succeed. You need to remain sane to get through this degree, and having a life outside of medicine where you see your family and friends and do things you enjoy will make your life so much easier and more enjoyable! You are more than just a med student, so ensure you carve out time to be not-a-med student, look after yourself, and relax.
Having interests outside of medicine is critical to good mental health. If you already play an instrument or a sport, or have other extra curriculars, try to keep them up. If you are interested in getting involved in some new activities outside of medicine, there are heaps of FUSA clubs for a variety of different interests, from jam sessions to cultural clubs to gaming. FMSS and other societies also host lots of social events and provide opportunities to join activities such as Med Revue (highly recommend!) and community service initiatives.
It's okay to not be okay. Please don’t be afraid to speak up! You will be surprised how many other people will be feeling similar. There is so much support around you, you will never be alone. Your year will become your pseudo family so speak to your peers, counsellors and teaching staff. Upper year students can be a friendly ear too.
Look out for your peers. Students feeling overloaded or overwhelmed can fail to recognise symptoms and signs of impairment in themselves. If you are worried about someone, don’t be afraid to say something. Flinders University provides a free confidential counselling service (up to 6 sessions a year) that is available to all students. If you are highly distressed and it is out of business hours, consider contacting Flinders’ Crisis Line on 1300 512 409 or text them on 0488 884 103.
All the assessments in MD are to ensure you are keeping up with the content and if you do not perform well, use this as a learning tool to work out what you need to improve. We understand that everyone wants to do their best, but it is certainly not the end of the world if you perform poorly in an assessment. Remediation is not a bad thing; it is an opportunity for you to improve on your knowledge, and you will likely end up learning more and remembering it better by going over the content again when you understand where you went wrong.
Most importantly, be kind to yourself and others and remember that your health and wellbeing should remain your number one priority throughout this course. Your medicine family is here to support you and FMSS is always available to help you so please do not hesitate to ask for help.
Helpful links
https://blogs.flinders.edu.au/student-health-and-well-being/
https://medicaldeans.org.au/resources-staying-healthy-in-a-virtual-world/ and go to the Health and Wellbeing section
https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-self-care-is-and-what-it-isnt-2
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/16-ways-relieve-stress-anxiety
https://stronginsideout.com/how-to-feel-emotions/
https://chloeburroughs.com/5-powerful-ways-to-be-more-self-disciplined-with-your-studying/
Physical Wellbeing
Doctors Health SA is a GP service exclusively for doctors and medical students. They understand the unique set of challenges we are facing (med student syndrome is real!) and have undertaken extra training in treating medical students and practitioners. Their services include acute care, comprehensive check ups, and ongoing care:
After-hours clinical appointments in the Adelaide CBD
24-hour confidential phone advice
A network of GPs state-wide
Flinders has an on-campus Health Service on main campus next to the Sports Centre, offering confidential GP services to staff and students at the University. Please see their website for a full list of services and how to book an appointment.
To keep your health in tip-top condition while you study, Flinders One Fitness provides a range of classes, equipment and training spaces on campus at extremely good prices.
SHINE SA provide sexual health clinics, counselling, and helplines with a focus on LGBTIQA+, rural and remote SA, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and other specific communities. They bulk-bill appointments if you are under 30 or have a Health Care card.
Finances
One day we will be earning the big bucks as doctors but for now we have to live on student budgets, and times can get tough.
If you need a little help to get through the week, FMSS can provide Emergency Vouchers for food, petrol, public transport, and pharmacy. For help paying the bigger expenses, you can apply for an FMSS Hardship Grant.
If you find that the FMSS grants aren’t enough or you need ongoing support, here are some other places you can go to for help:
Flinders University Student Association
• Grants and loans
• Financial counselling and help with applications
• Advocacy with creditors
Wright Evans Partners - financial advice
BOQ Specialist - medical student accounts, loans, cards
Sponsors’ grants programs:
• Avant
• MIPS
• MIGA for electives
Centrelink - advance payments of Family Tax Benefits or Social Security Entitlements
No Interest Loans (NILs)