Support, community & student life at NIDA!

NIDA offers more than classes and exams - you’ve got a broad network of support services, and an active student community waiting to welcome you. Whether you’re looking for help, or looking to connect, you’ll find options here.

Counselling & Mental Health Services
Academic Support
Club + Event Directory

O-Week 2026, according to you and jellybeans!

Thank you for having us at NIDA O-Week 2026! ‍

During O-Week, you took part in ourvery scientific emotion jellybean scale -  a silly way to reflect on how you were feeling in the moment. By the end of the day, the jars on the table told a collective story! Each jellybean colour represented an emotion, and how full (or empty) each jar by  the end of the day showed how you all were feeling overall.

This snapshot captures the shared emotional landscape of O-Week - a mix of excitement, curiosity, nerves, and everything in between (and only marginally influenced by jellybean flavour preferences).

Whatever you’re feeling as the year unfolds, you’re not alone and support is here if you need it ❤️ Check out the services NIDA provides to support you in your mental health!

Here are a few ways students at NIDA are
pledging to look after their mental health this year

Support Services Directory

Here’s a curated list of essential services many students find helpful. Each includes what the service offers, when it’s useful, a student voice and how-to engage.

NIDA Counselling

NIDA’s counselling service provides a safe, confidential space to talk through personal, emotional, or study-related concerns, with access to up to 10 free 50-minute sessions per year for all students. Book a session to speak with one of NIDA’s Counsellors: Kareena Hodgson or Helle Luckmann.

NIDA’s counselling service can help you:

Manage stress
Maintain balance between your training and personal life
Improve wellbeing
Build resilience
Navigate relationships
FiND OUT MORe
Photo taken from NIDA

Study Access Plan (SAP)

NIDA is committed to supporting students’ individual learning needs. If you have a diagnosed learning need, a Study Access Plan (SAP) can help you access reasonable academic and environmental adjustments. You can explore eligibility by chatting with Counselling or Student Services.

NIDA’s SAP can help you with:

Reducing barriers to learning
Feel supported in your study
Navigate assessments with confidence
Learn in ways that work for you
FiND OUT MORe
Photo taken from NIDA

After-Hours Mental Health Support

If you need support outside counselling hours, UNSW After-Hours Mental Health Support is here. Whether you’re in crisis or  feeling stressed or overwhelmed, you can reach out by phone or text.

Available: Monday to Friday: 5.00pm to 9.00am
Phone: 1300 034 141 | Text: 0485 826 595

After-Hours Mental Health Support can help you:

Get support when counsellors aren’t available
Talk through stress, overwhelm, or crisis
Access guidance and support
FiND OUT MORe
Photo taken from NIDA

NIDA Counselling

NIDA’s counselling service provides a safe, confidential space to talk through personal, emotional, or study-related concerns, with access to up to 10 free 50-minute sessions per year for all students. Book a session to speak with one of NIDA’s Counsellors: Kareena Hodgson or Helle Luckmann.

NIDA’s counselling service can help you:

Manage stress
Improve wellbeing
Build resilience
Navigate relationships
Maintain balance between your training and personal life
FiND OUT MORe

Study Access Plan (SAP)

NIDA is committed to supporting students’ individual learning needs. If you have a diagnosed learning need, a Study Access Plan (SAP) can help you access reasonable academic and environmental adjustments. You can explore eligibility by chatting with Counselling or Student Services.

NIDA’s SAP can help you with:

Reducing barriers to learning
Feel supported in your study
Access fair adjustments
Navigate assessments with confidence
Learn in ways that work for you
FiND OUT MORe

After-Hours Mental Health Support

If you need support outside counselling hours, UNSW After-Hours Mental Health Support is here. Whether you’re in crisis or  feeling stressed or overwhelmed, you can reach out by phone or text.

Available: Monday to Friday: 5.00pm to 9.00am
Phone: 1300 034 141 | Text: 0485 826 595

After-Hours Mental Health Support can help you:

Get support when counsellors aren’t available
Access guidance and support
Talk through stress, overwhelm, or crisis
FiND OUT MORe
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ARC UNSW

Find connection with Arc UNSW

Arc is the student organisation at UNSW. NIDA students are welcome to join, and membership is free. They run clubs, societies, events and activities that help you connect with others, try new things and feel part of the community.

Whether you’re looking to meet new people, explore an interest, or take a break from study, Arc UNSW offers welcoming spaces to get involved, no matter where you’re at in your uni journey.
Find Clubs
Find Teams
Find Events
Find out more about Activate UTS

What support can look like

“When I first reached out to UTS Counselling, I was nervous — I didn’t know if what I was feeling was ‘enough’ to ask for help. But my counsellor was kind and practical. It helped me realise that support isn’t just for crisis moments — it’s there to help you stay well too.”

Your wellbeing journey starts here...

Starting or continuing uni can be exciting, and sometimes a bit overwhelming. We’ve created an online module designed to help you look after your mental wellbeing, hear from other young people, build your own wellbeing plan, and discover practical ways to find balance through uni life and prioritise your wellbeing!
Est. 30 mins
Desktop-only
Pen and paper
BEGIN MODULELEARN MORE
Join a community sharing stories of tough times, resilience and hope.
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