Perhaps you’ve noticed a bit of weight gain recently, or you’ve been putting off that skin cancer check or bowel cancer screening. Whatever the reason, now is the time to do something about it.

Make your first action item a visit to the Staff Wellbeing and Health Expo on Thursday 12 September. Drop by the Expo anytime between 10.30am and 2pm to get your free health assessment at the Health Kiosk, or speak to medical professionals at the MQ Health stall.  The free health assessments will continue for the duration of Wellbeing Month (you will find the Health Kiosk just inside the entrance to the MUSE Building ,18 Wally’s Walk).

Then, book in to hear Macquarie’s own Dr Luke Morphett talk about preventative health on Tuesday 17 September. He’ll be talking about how to interpret your results from the Health Kiosk, as well as lifestyle changes you can make today to improve your health tomorrow (why not try Wellbeing Month’s free lunchtime fitness classes, which start on Thursday?).

Once you’ve got the basics covered, here’s how often you should be getting other checks and screenings, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (download your own preventive health checklist here).

All ages

From age 40-50 years, add:

From age 65 years+, add:

Register for Staff Wellbeing Month. Highlights of the first week include:

• Event launch and mental health seminar – Thursday 12 September
• Free staff hearing checks – Wednesday 18 September
• Female heart health seminar – Wednesday 18 September
• Social media and body image seminar – Wednesday 18 September

Don’t forget that by attending a lunchtime seminar or exercise class, you can enter the draw to win some fantastic prizes!

Twelve months ago, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Bruce Dowton, stood in front of staff and students and made a commitment: Macquarie would provide them with a safe and respectful environment.

With the launch of the Respect.Now.Always Action Plan last August, the Vice-Chancellor made it clear that gender-based discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment or sexual assault has no place at Macquarie University.

The RNA team, working with key partners across the University, got to work on the Action Plan: Rolling out a ‘Consent Matters’ online learning course to students; providing specialist training and workshops for students; developing training for staff; and working with students to co-create and deliver information to the student body.

Last Thursday 8 August, Professor Dowton once again stood in front of students and staff at the ‘Why Respect.Now.Always Matters’ event to report back on the progress of the Action Plan at the one-year mark, and to reaffirm Macquarie’s commitment to creating a culture of respect.

“All members of the Macquarie University community have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to work or study in a safe environment,” he said, reaffirming Macquarie’s commitment to zero tolerance of gender-based harassment and discrimination, sexual assault, sexual harassment and bullying. “This event is an opportunity to reflect on the University’s values and respect of relationships of all kinds, and what it means to belong to a true community.”

It is clear Professor Dowton is deeply committed to the RNA program. He commended the important groundwork being done in building a strong support network through ongoing dedication of the RNA team, sponsors and partners. He said continuing collaboration, and closing the feedback loop, will be key to sustaining incremental change and continuing to build trust.  He quoted Lieutenant General David Morrison ­– “the behaviour you walk past is the behaviour you accept” ­– which resonated with the audience, and was later reinforced by panellist, Chris Miller, Academic Engagement Coordinator at Walanga Muru.

Professor Dowton reminded the University community that “we are all custodians for providing a safe and inclusive environment where students can learn and engage in a safe and truly transformative way.”

New staff and student policies

Professor Dowton also announced the completion of a key milestone in the Action Plan – the launch of the Student Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Policy and Staff Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Policy.

These new policies contribute to developing a culture around community, defining behaviours which are prohibited at our University. The policies also set out clear expectations and procedures around support, reporting, and responses to reports.

All Macquarie staff have a role to play in creating a culture of respect. As a staff member, you might be affected by discrimination, harassment or sexual assault in several ways – be it experiencing it yourself, witnessing it in your workplace or classroom, or supporting students or colleagues that are affected. It is important for all of us to be familiar with these new policies and understand our rights and obligations as University staff.

Staff policy – what you need to know

The new policy brings our community’s attention to the important society issue of workplace sexual harassment.

• The policy details what workplace sexual harassment is and how it might show up in our community.
• It articulates the rights, role and responsibilities of all staff and affiliates, and the part we all play in challenging problematic behaviours and building a culture of respect.
• The Staff Policy explains how staff can seek support and report sexual harassment.
• Mandatory training will soon be launched to support the roll-out and implementation of this policy. (For more information about training, please contact workplacediversityinclusion@mq.edu.au)

Read the Staff Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Policy >

Student policy – what you need to know

• The new policy removes some of the barriers students face in reporting and seeking support, with the introduction of reporting, including anonymous reporting via a simple online report form. This form can be used by any student or staff member to report incidents of sexual harassment or sexual harassment which involve students.
• The policy outlines the University’s responsibilities in providing support and responding to reports of sexual assault or sexual harassment of a student. If a student discloses to you as a staff member, it is important that you:
  • Consider the safety of the person disclosing to you, and your own safety. If you have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment yourself, you may feel that you are not the best person to disclose to. You can respectfully suggest they contact a support service.
  • Refer them to support services, such as Student Wellbeing or NSW Rape Crisis Centre.
  • Respect the decisions made by the person who has experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment about what to do next.
  • Show understanding to the person who has disclosed to you. You can acknowledge that what happened is not their fault and that you believe them.
  • Look after yourself. Hearing a disclosure of sexual assault or sexual harassment can be difficult. You can contact the University’s Employee Assistance Provider or NSW Rape Crisis Centre for support.
• There are some situations where you are required to make a report if a student discloses to you. If the student is under the age of 18, you must contact Student Wellbeing to discuss the situation and seek advice, or if the disclosure raises serious concerns about the current safety of the student.
• If you are unsure whether you must report an incident, contact Student Wellbeing, the RNA team (respect@mq.edu.au), or your Human Resources Client Relationships representative.

Some services are relocating, but we’re always here to help students succeed

From Monday 3 June some of our services will operate from new locations. If students seem concerned, please assure them there will be no interruption to services. There will be signage at old locations, and we will have staff out and about to provide directions.

From 3 June students can access services at the following locations:

Introducing Student Wellbeing and Student Engagement  

It might not seem like a big change, but we have renamed our Wellbeing and Engagement teams. To us this is an important statement that says we care about students and they are our top priority. It’s just one of the many things we are doing to align with the Student Success Strategic Framework and make sure students are at the centre of everything we do.

We have a huge network of services available on and off campus 

Many of our students don’t realise just how many types of support are available to them, for help with every part of their life in and out of the classroom.

How to refer students 

Student Connect is the first point of contact for all student enquiries.

Phone +61 2 9850 6410 or visit Student Connect on Level 2 Muse, 18 Wally’s Walk. 

If you need to refer a student to Student Wellbeing you can email wellbeing@mq.edu.au, call on +61 2 9850 7497 or encourage students to drop-in for a quick chat at either 18 Wally’s Walk or Ground Floor at the Australian Hearing Hub.

Students can also access online resources through iLearn and the UniWellbeing course.

For emergency help call +61 2 9850 9999 or 000.

For 24/7 support call 1800 CARE MQ (1800 227 367).

Wellbeing Week was made possible by harnessing the powerful network of experts and academics here at Macquarie University.

Staff were treated to numerous lunchtime seminars presented on topics including mentally healthy workplaces, building courage and resilience in children, screen addiction and mindfulness. Staff were also offered the opportunity to attend a variety of activities including Pilates, art classes, cooking demonstrations, Hospital tours and daily campus walks. The campus walks were well attended and five lucky staff members won pedometers in the daily giveaway.

Wellbeing Week represents the University’s commitment to an ongoing focus on supporting the physical, mental and social wellbeing of staff.

Managing your wellbeing takes continuous effort to prioritise yourself. You can start small by scheduling a walking meeting with your team, or walking with a colleague from another faculty or division instead of meeting in your office. This is a great way to have a break from your desk and incorporate some light exercise into your day. See our Wellbeing Walk maps here.

Thank you to all who attend a seminar or activity, your attendance is what allows initiatives such as this to continue. There was plenty of positive feedback from the event survey, as well as some great suggestions on what we could include in future wellbeing initiatives which will be considered for future planning.

What you said:

“The speakers were all excellent giving practical advice and guidance.”

“I especially loved the art class. I was having a horrendous week and I just made myself take time out to attend the art class and I returned to work refreshed and relaxed and in a much happier state of mind and inner being.”

“This initiative shows that the University cares about the people it employs. That it acknowledges each person has various identities which sometimes conflict with one another and influence wellbeing at home, or work.”

“The hospital tour was fascinating.”

“The range of opportunities available to attend various sessions on wellbeing was great.”

“To hear from leading experts within the University gave insight into the amazing work this University community achieves both on campus and out in the community.”

It is never too late to focus on your health and wellbeing. Make today the start of your journey to become a Better you at MQ.

With the beginning of the academic year upon us, we will soon be welcoming thousands of new and continuing students. This is traditionally an exciting time, however it can be a stressful and difficult time for students as well.

As a staff member you may have contact with students in a variety of situations and circumstances. Occasionally you may become aware that a student requires additional support or would benefit from developing skills to manage their emotional wellbeing.

You can now refer a student to a collaborative innovation between Campus Wellbeing and the eCentreClinic – The UniWellbeing Course.

This free online program for Macquarie University students teaches them practical, proven skills to help manage stress, worry, anxiety, low mood and depression. It consists of four lessons over five weeks, allowing students to fit the course around their university commitments. They can access the lessons at anytime, wherever they have an internet connection.

Additionally, the course provides resources to help students tackle common challenges, such as procrastination and sleep problems. All students receive weekly support, via telephone and secure email, from an experienced Campus Wellbeing psychologist.

To date, more than 300 students have participated in the UniWelbeing course. We are seeing very good improvements in students’ emotional wellbeing as a result of the course, with over 85 per cent saying it was worth their time and they’d recommend it to others.

To learn more or refer a student, please contact us:

Phone: (02) 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
Web: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/counselling_service/resources/
In person: Campus Wellbeing, Level 2 C8A (Lincoln Building)

*Note, if a student requires immediate help please call Campus Wellbeing without delay: 9850 7497.

Remember to contribute your story – for ‘in their own voice’ – for publishing in This Week. These stories will celebrate the diversity, passion and collaborative spirit of Macquarie staff.