University Health Promotion Program

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.

About the Health Promotion Program

The University of Melbourne Health Promotion Program is here to improve and support students' health and wellbeing. We do 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.

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).

To see an overview of the Health Promotion Program's Action Plan 2023-2025, click here.

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.

Are you passionate about student wellbeing and healthy lifestyles? Interested in raising awareness about health and wellbeing services on campus? Want to work with a group of other amazing Peer Health Advocates (PHA's)?  As a PHA, you will contribute to designing and delivering health-related campaigns, events, and activities across the University. Click here to learn more about the role, the requirements, and what you’ll get out of it.

Volunteer PHA's are recruited annually at the start of each calendar year. Applications for 2023 PHAs are now closed, please keep an eye out for further volunteering opportunities. To get in contact please e-mail us at health-promotion@unimelb.edu.au

Peer Health Advocates (PHAs)

Peer Health Advocates (PHAs) are a group of students from a variety of faculties who share a passion for health and wellness.

  • About the PHA role

    The PHAs aim to:

    • Promote healthy, active lifestyles in a positive, fun and engaging way
    • Raise awareness about the UoM health and wellbeing services
    • Plan health and wellbeing events and projects
    • Attend training, such as Mental Health First Aid
    • Learn about the latest health information, initiatives and services.

    You'll catch the PHAs at a range of events and campaigns such as O-Week, R U OK Day, Mental Health Week, SWOTVAC Wellbeing and many more!

  • Click a picture to read about our PHAs
    Carley
    Celeste
    Grace
    Manas
    Priyasha
    Remi
    Leanne
    Julia
    Elizabeth (Liz)

Carley

What motivated you to become a peer health advocate?

The PHAs are unique in the way that the team focuses on helping those closest to us, our own university community. This opportunity allowed me to take initiative and proactively help my peers to look after and embrace all aspects of their health and wellbeing.

What have you enjoyed the most about being a peer health advocate?

I love sharing this sense of joy with like-minded individuals and working together in building a healthier university community. Being a PHA has allowed me to learn about the complex and holistic view of healthy beings from a diverse group of passionate students.

What is your top health/wellbeing tip for students?

Be intentional when taking care of your mental and physical health! Try your best to take time out for yourself whether that be taking a nap, going on a walk or eating good food and remember it’s okay not to be okay :))

Celeste

What motivated you to become a peer health advocate?

Connecting with other lovely peers who are also passionate about promoting mental health and healthier lifestyles in the university community, as well as gaining hands-on experience volunteering in health campaigns and activities.

What have you enjoyed the most about being a peer health advocate?

Volunteering in various events, such as the Uni Mental Health Day, promoting the university health services to students, and meeting like-minded people from diverse backgrounds were some of my favourite moments!

What is your top health/wellbeing tip for students?

Growth at your own pace, focus on your own path and take your time ;)

Grace

What motivated you to become a Peer Health Advocate?

The state hospital system had just gone into a code brown due to COVID-19. It felt imperative to be part of a communal health response, in whatever way I could, within my own sphere of influence. As serendipity would have it, I logged in to my Student Portal and saw the position open—I applied right away!

What have you enjoyed the most about being a Peer Health Advocate?

Honestly—filling envelopes full of various safer sex materials for distribution to students. There is something satisfying about the practical. Whether it’s cooking for a student breakfast or having a conversation that helps someone access the support they’re seeking. You feel part of something useful

What is your top health/wellbeing tip for students?

As a student you are part of a university community which means there are so many resources—many free, or subsidised—that exist to support your health and well-being (physical, mental, social, emotional, and academic). If you’re not sure where to start, ask a PHA—we’re literally here to help.

Manas

What motivated you to become a Peer Health Advocate?

Going through the first year of my undergraduate degree was pretty unusual with the pandemic and opportunities to meet new people were reduced. I felt the program would equip me with opportunities and information necessary to distribute support structures to those who need them.

What have you enjoyed the most about being a Peer Health Advocate?

The Health Promotion Program is a great developmental experience. Being able to talk and discuss with like-minded individuals with differing backgrounds helps broaden my horizons and teach me of new ways to aid student communities. It's also invaluable for developing social and organisational skills.

What is your top health/well-being tip for students?

Build new friendships and connections. Having someone to talk to, whether that be sharing struggles in a subject or when having lunch, has been an incredible boon to both my mental health and student life. If there was one tip I had to give, it would definitely be to expand your circle!

Priyasha

What motivated you to become a peer health advocate?

I have been passionate about health and wellbeing equality and equity from a young age. The opportunity to work with the university's Health Promotion Program was thus a perfect fit for me. I got to do all of my favourite things including socialising and advocacy and helping run fun events for people and be part of a wonderful cause at the very same time.

What have you enjoyed the most about being a peer health advocate?

Becoming a PHA was an opportunity I came across in a complete stroke of luck. However, from the day of my first meeting with the team I knew I was in the right place. I have loved the experiences of being able to speak to and get to know so many people sharing the same motivations of spreading awareness about health and wellness and the services that the university provides for the student community.

What is your top health/wellbeing tip for students?

Self-care is very underrated. Being a university student, especially if you're not from this city and have moved homes for your education, can be a very overwhelming experience. You are making new connections, transitioning to a new phase of your life and balancing academics all together. Taking time out for spending with oneself can be the one thing we need above all and be the lifesaver we all need.

Remi

What motivated you to become a Peer Health Advocate? 

I was motivated to become a PHA to get more experience working with others to achieve health-related goals in a well-organised and regulated way. As a biomed student, I try to get as much exposure to all aspects of health and wellbeing so that I can integrate all that I’ve learnt when I’m finally working in the healthcare system.

What have you enjoyed the most about being a Peer Health Advocate? 

I have loved the sense of connection that I’ve gotten with the other PHAs, as well as with all the other students I’ve engaged with during PHA-run events. It’s been so great to see everyone’s smiling faces and to meet such wonderful people!

What is your top health/wellbeing tip for students? 

My top tip for students is to resist becoming rigidly stuck in ways of operating that are not working. If you aren’t happy, or things aren’t going well for you, remove yourself from that situation of harmful familiarity to find what does work. Remember: you don’t have to do it alone.

Leanne

What motivated you to become a peer health advocate?

As an experienced (and loyal) University of Melbourne Student, I have been through all the stresses of university life and really wanted to help other students, through a health promotion lens, live their university lives to their fullest capacity. The University has so many services and opportunities, which can be quite overwhelming to navigate, and I wanted to help point students in the right direction.

What have you enjoyed the most about being a peer health advocate?

I’ve enjoyed being part of the uplifting PHA community and making connections with students outside of my course. The freebies are fun too, but I will always remember how welcomed and supported I felt being a PHA.

What is your top health/wellbeing tip for students?

Get at least 30 minutes of sunshine (or light) as soon as you wake up. It will help you sleep better at night and give you your daily dose of vitamin D for maximum calcium absorption (i.e. happy and healthy bones)!

Julia

What motivated you to become a peer health advocate?

I wanted to be part of my university community and help other students feel supported – and what better way to do that than putting on fun events related to health and wellbeing?

What have you enjoyed the most about being a peer health advocate?

Making new friends of course!

What is your top health/wellbeing tip for students?

Prioritize your health – because even when you think that you don't have the 'time' or 'energy' for it – the healthy version of you can help you manage every other aspect of your life.

Elizabeth (Liz)

What motivated you to become a peer health advocate?

I’ve always been passionate about women’s health and I want to spread awareness, and joy, to those in the Unimelb community!

What have you enjoyed the most about being a peer health advocate?

Meeting friends from different backgrounds, as well as participating in events where I am able to learn new things in a cause I’m passionate about.

What is your top health/wellbeing tip for students?

Have a 'You' day where you reset your bedroom, take a walk in a pretty place, listen to music and eat your favourite dessert.

What's on

Watch past workshops and webinars

WebinarDescriptionLink
Healthy cooking demonstrationA one-minute guide on how to make a basic healthy meal, brought to you by the University of Melbourne Health Promotion Program (HPP) and the Healthy Eating and Nutrition Society (HENS).Watch recording
Women's Health Week Q&A (2022)Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis is a General Practitioner, government health advisor, board director, primary care researcher with the University of Melbourne, and a leading women's health expert and advocate.Watch recording