Services for staff

Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) supports University staff with mental health training, secondary consultation, and practical guidance about responding to students experiencing distress or mental health concerns.

Seeking support for your own wellbeing?

University staff can access confidential counselling and wellbeing support through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Find EAP and other staff wellbeing services and resources on the Human Resources Staff Hub page (login required).

Mental health advice for others (secondary consultation)

CAPS provides secondary consultation to University of Melbourne staff seeking information and advice about how to respond to student mental health concerns.

This service may be useful when staff are concerned about a student showing signs of distress, or presenting with complex or atypical behaviours, and are unsure what support or next steps may be helpful.

Secondary consultation equips staff with general information and guidance to respond supportively within the scope of their role. This may include how to:

  • identify and raise concerns with a student
  • encourage the student to seek appropriate support
  • assist when a student may need urgent help.

Staff are not expected to provide counselling or take on a clinical role.

Secondary consultation is provided by senior counsellors. To request a secondary consultation, call us on 03 8344 6927 during opening hours.

If you are concerned about someone's immediate safety or need urgent advice during an unfolding mental health crisis, call 000, University Security, or the University Mental Health Crisis Support Service on 1300 219 459 (available 24/7).

For concerns involving inappropriate, concerning, or threatening behaviour, contact Safer Community for advice and support.

Please note: This service is primarily for University of Melbourne staff supporting students. CAPS does not generally provide secondary consultation to family members or friends of students. If you are concerned about a student, please encourage the student to contact CAPS directly if they would like support.

Staff counselling

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is the recommended first point of contact for University staff seeking counselling, whether the concern relates to work or your personal wellbeing.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

EAP is a free and confidential service delivered independently of the University. It is available to University staff and their immediate family members.

EAP counselling can support staff with any work, personal, or family related concerns. Services are delivered online through video or chat, by telephone, or in person.

EAP's independence from the University makes it best placed to support staff with concerns involving the workplace, including your role, manager or supervisor, team, employment conditions, performance, or workplace change.

EAP also offers a broader range of wellbeing services and support options designed for staff.

Learn more about EAP and how to access its services.

Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

CAPS provides free, confidential, short-term counselling to staff for personal wellbeing concerns that are not related to their work or employment at the University.

Because CAPS counsellors are also University employees, CAPS is unable to provide counselling about workplace-related matters. This includes concerns involving your role, manager or supervisor, colleagues or team, employment conditions, performance processes, or organisational change. If your concern relates to these, please contact EAP as they are best placed to support.

CAPS counsellors cannot provide assessments, recommendations, reports, or other documentation for use in employment or workplace processes. This includes fitness-for-work, return-to-work, or other workplace adjustment matters. For support or advice about these processes, contact EAP or your HR Business Partner.

Initial appointments

For staff who are new to CAPS or haven't attended our service this year, book an appointment by:

  • Calling us on 03 8344 6927, or
  • Visiting our reception at Level 5, 757 Swanston Street, Parkville.

Return appointments

Staff who are existing clients can book, check-in for, reschedule or cancel an appointment using our online appointment portal.

Book, check-in for, reschedule or cancel an appointment

Other programs and resources