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.

Health Promotion Grants

Be part of creating a healthier student community with a Health Promotion Grant of up to $10,000! Applications are open from Monday 20 March until Sunday 16 April.

Learn more

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

Interested? Apply via this online application form. 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
    Rachel
    Jocelyn
    Grace
    Manas
    Tahli
    Sidhaarthaa

Rachel

What motivated you to become a Peer Health Advocate?

To contribute to the wider University community, while working in a field that is both my study focus and something I'm passionate about – health. Being a PHA means I can explore wider health impacts while being immersed in it and interacting with the community.

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

Having the opportunity to have a good chat with people from various backgrounds, learning to be more open and understanding myself, whilst encountering the hugely diverse range of personalities within our diverse Uni community. Every interaction has been rewarding in its own unique way.

What is your top health/wellbeing tip for students?

Take the time for self-care. Being a university student is no simple journey, and it’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the semester that we often forget to take the time to step back and check in on ourselves. Take a breather, and make sure you don’t forget your basic needs.

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!

Jocelyn

What motivated you to become a PHA?

I am very passionate about building a healthier university community and raising the awareness of having a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

What have you enjoyed the most about being a PHA?

Involving and volunteering in the campaigns and activities that support students’ health and well-being is the thing that I enjoy the most!

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

Take a break from studies or work whenever you want! Do something you like to help relieve your stress - listen to your favourite music or play your favourite sports!

Veronica

What motivated you to become a Peer Health Advocate?

Advocating for student health and well-being is something I am passionate about, having previously worked as a health promotion officer and completing tertiary study. I wanted to use my skills to help bring positive change among my peers.

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

Working with a passionate and like-minded team who wants to achieve the best outcome for students has been really inspiring.

What is your top health/wellbeing tip for students?

Do an activity you enjoy each day to help refresh and reset! Whether it’s watching an episode of your favourite show or going for a morning coffee walk with a friend. A five-minute break makes a difference!

Tahli

What motivated you to become a Peer Health Advocate?

I was motivated to become a PHA because I felt that I wanted to contribute the skills I had learnt so far during my MPH back to the student community.

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

I have enjoyed meeting and feeling part of a community of like-minded students from diverse backgrounds who challenge and expand my perspective on health and health promotion.

What is your top health/wellbeing tip for students?

My top health/wellbeing tip for students is to value rest, and to take lots of it, guilt-free.

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.

Sidhaarthaa

What motivated you to become a Peer Health Advocate?

I have an ambition to become a doctor and serve in a major position within the health field.  While I want to achieve this, it’s important to give back to the society and community we belong to. The role allows me to also understand the issues students experience.

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

The teamwork and collaboration are major factors in the success of this role. Each one of us bring in a different perspective on the various multifaceted issues that students face.

What is your top health/wellbeing tip for students?

To achieve the required balance in student life. Often, regular assignments, exams and high study loads can become a burden leading to undue stress. It is very important to switch off and the best way to do this in my opinion would be to practice something that they are passionate about.

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