The Counselling Armchair: Nurturing well being and study

Financial stress is something many students experience, and it can affect mental health, physical wellbeing, motivation, and academic performance. In this episode of The Counselling Armchair, Liz, Melissa and Plia are joined by Malcolm and Katie from Student Welfare to discuss why money stress is so common, how it shows up for students, and what practical steps and supports can help. The conversation covers budgeting, fees and debt, placement-related financial pressure, fines, scams, impulsive spending, and the importance of reaching out early for support. Students are reminded that they don’t need to be in crisis to ask for help, and that free, confidential support is available both within and outside the university.RMIT Student Welfare – https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/student-support/student-welfareRMIT Connect – https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/connectRMIT Financial Assistance & Hardship Grants – https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/student-support/financial-supportRMIT Counselling Service – https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/student-support/counsellingRMIT Study Support – https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-supportWork and Development Permit (Victoria) – https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/fines/work-and-development-permitsFines Victoria – https://online.fines.vic.gov.auCentrelink (Youth Allowance, Austudy, Rent Assistance) – https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/studentsCommonwealth Prac Payment – https://www.education.gov.au/commonwealth-prac-paymentNational Debt Helpline (Free Financial Counselling) – https://ndh.org.auSalvation Army MoneyCare – https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/moneycareAsk Izzy (Food, housing, money help) – https://askizzy.org.auStudy Melbourne Hub (International Students) – https://www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.auScamwatch – https://www.scamwatch.gov.au 

In this episode of The Counselling Armchair, Liz, Melissa and Plia explore what it’s like to live “between two worlds” for international students and first- and second-generation migrants. We talk with guests Sam Zhong and Gunjan Kaur about family pressure, cultural expectations, secrecy as a coping strategy, identity, relationships, and how to find balance without feeling like you’re rejecting your culture.If you’re navigating cultural pressure, generational tension, or trying to carve out your own path, this episode offers compassionate insight and practical support.Helpful links:RMIT Counselling: rmit.edu.au/counsellingRMIT Financial Support: rmit.edu.au/financial-supportQLife (LGBTQIA+ support): qlife.org.auHeadspace: headspace.org.au

In this episode of The Counselling Armchair: Nurturing Your Wellbeing and Study, Liz and new co-host team member Plia Caspi are joined by counsellor Ruby Krupka to discuss intimate partner violence (IPV) — what it looks like, how it affects wellbeing and study, and how people can seek help or support others safely.Together, they unpack the patterns of abuse, and the challenges people face in recognising and leaving unsafe relationships. The team also explores recovery, rebuilding confidence, and where to find confidential support both within and beyond RMIT.If you or someone you know is in danger, please call 000.If it’s not safe to speak, you can use the Silent Call option by dialling 000, then pressing 55.1800RESPECT – National sexual assault, domestic and family violence service📞 1800 737 732 | 🌐 1800respect.org.auSafe Steps – Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response centre📞 1800 015 188 | 🌐 safesteps.org.auThe Orange Door – Free family violence and wellbeing support service across Victoria🌐 orangedoor.vic.gov.auLifeline – 24-hour crisis support📞 13 11 14 | 🌐 lifeline.org.auMensLine Australia – Support for men experiencing relationship or family violence issues📞 1300 789 978 | 🌐 mensline.org.auKids Helpline – Support for young people under 25📞 1800 55 1800 | 🌐 kidshelpline.com.auinTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence – Support for people from culturally diverse backgrounds🌐 intouch.org.auCentre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) – Specialist trauma counselling and advocacy🌐 casa.org.auVictoria Legal Aid – Free legal information and advice🌐 legalaid.vic.gov.auSafer Community – Support for experiences of violence, sexual harm, or concerning behaviour.📞 (03) 9925 2396 | 🌐 rmit.edu.au/safercommunityCounselling & Psychological Services (CAPS) – Free, confidential short-term counselling for students.📞 (03) 9925 5000 | After-hours: 1300 305 737Student Legal Service – Free legal advice for students.🌐 rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-legal-serviceStudent Support Advisors – Help with financial, accommodation, and academic issues.Chaplaincy – Confidential spiritual and emotional support for students of all faiths.If you need to store evidence (texts, screenshots, or photos) securely — without keeping them on your phone’s main gallery or messaging apps — these tools can help:Arc App (1800RESPECT) – Free and secure app for safely recording patterns of abuse and storing evidence.🌐 arcapp.org.auSafety Net Australia (WESNET) – Offers digital safety tips and information about secure apps.🌐 techsafety.org.auBe Safe App (Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria) – Personalised safety planning tool.🌐 besafeapp.org.auSmartSafe+ – Secure evidence storage app (by WESNET). Designed for people experiencing tech-based abuse.🌐 smartsafe.org.au🟣 Important tip: If you’re using safety or evidence apps, consider setting up a PIN lock and disguised app name if possible. Always delete browser history after visiting support sites if your device is being monitored.IPV isn’t always physical — it can include emotional, financial, sexual, and psychological abuse.Leaving can be complex and dangerous — safety planning and professional support are crucial.You are never to blame for someone else’s choice to control or harm you.Support and recovery are possible — you don’t have to face it alone.Power and Control Wheel – Understanding patterns of abuse.Cycle of Violence diagram – DVRCVeSafety Commissioner – Technology and abuseThe Counselling Armchair: Nurturing Your Wellbeing and Study is available on all major podcast platforms. Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help others find support and hope.⚠️ If You Need Immediate Support💜 24/7 Support Services🎓 RMIT Support Options📱 Helpful Safety and Record-Keeping Apps🕊️ Key Takeaways💡 Additional Resources🎧 Listen and Subscribe

This bonus episode of The Counselling Armchair: Nurturing Wellbeing and Study offers a short guided practice to help you feel steadier and more connected during uncertain times.Psychologist Michael Swadling leads you through an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) exercise designed to:Help you drop anchor in the present momentReconnect with your values—the things that matter most to youCreate a gentle sense of calm and steadiness even when life feels overwhelmingThis exercise pairs beautifully with our full episode, “How to Look After Yourself When the World Feels Heavy,” but you can also use it anytime you need a brief moment of grounding and self-care.Safety note: Please listen when you can give it your full attention—not while driving or doing anything that requires focus.Resources mentioned:RMIT Ways of WellbeingACT Conversations Guide

In this episode of The Counselling Armchair: Nurturing Wellbeing and Study, Liz speaks with psychologist Michael Swadling about how to protect your mental health when the news feels overwhelming and the future uncertain.From climate change to conflict and economic pressures, it’s easy to feel weighed down by global challenges. Michael explains how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the RMIT Ways of Wellbeing can help us stay grounded, focus on what’s within our control, and take small, meaningful steps that align with our values.We explore:What wellbeing really means—and why it’s not about feeling happy all the timeHow to stay informed without burning outPractical ACT tools and the importance of routine, connection, and small actions that reflect your valuesHow self-care can be an act of strength, not selfishnessBalancing activism, study, and life without falling into burnoutWhether you’re feeling anxious about the world or just need strategies to stay steady through uncertainty, this episode offers practical, compassionate guidance to help you care for yourself and keep moving toward what matters most.Resources mentioned:RMIT Ways of WellbeingACT Conversations GuideThe Unbreakable Student by Nic Hooper