Mental Health Month

How to Help a Friend

• Thursday 2 October | 12-2pm | In person
• Tuesday 7 October | 10am-12pm | In person
• Monday 15 October | 2-4pm | Online
• Thursday 30 October | 11am-1pm | In person

What do you do when you notice a friend struggling? Have you ever felt like you want to help a friend but didn't know how? 

How to Help a Friend is an interactive peer-to-peer workshop. You can walk away with practical tips to help you confidently support a friend or peer that might be experiencing a mental health problem. You'll learn about the support services available too. 

Focus areas: Connect, Help Others, Keep Learning. 

Arc Wellness Warriors

Basser Steps at Helen Maguire Lawn (Quad)

The Wellness Warriors are a community of student volunteers who are passionate about student mental health and wellbeing. Throughout term, they'll share fun freebies, awesome activities or a chill chat with you. They aim to challenge the stigma around mental health and link you to the support you might need. 

Focus areas: Connect, Help Others.

RunSoc Fridays

Every Friday in October | 5-7pm | Meet at Goldstein G02

Join us for a Friday run! UNSW RunSoc is about more than just kilometres – it's about community, movement and looking after mental wellbeing. 

Regular physical activity, like running, is a powerful way to boost mood, reduce stress and connect with others. 

Join us as we run together to raise awareness for mental health and show than no one has to go the distance alone. Whether you're chasing a PB or are just out for a jog and a chat, everyone is welcome. 

There's no need to register - see you there!

Focus area: Be Active. 

Check Point | Brekkie Club

Tuesday to Thursday, weekly | 9am-12.30pm | Basser Steps at Helen Maguire Lawn (Quad)

At Wellness Check Point, we run events to help you pause and power up your wellbeing. 

Mornings can be tough, so let us give you a hand. Grab a free breakfast and set yourself up for success with a dose of mindful reflection. At each event, you'll get nutritious, tasty food and bite-size opportunities to practise the skills needed for good wellbeing.

The more Wellness Check Points you visit, the more your skills will improve and the better you'll feel!

Focus areas: Connect, Nourish, Be Aware. 

October drink special | UNSW FAC

Beat the spring heat or warm up after your workout with our amazing October drink deals!

☕ Hot drinks from $3 (small drinks only): coffee, tea, hot chocolate and more!

🍹 Iced drinks from $5 (small drinks only): iced coffee, cold brew, iced teas and more!

These deals are valid all October long at the UNSW Fitness & Aquatic Centre Cafe. Fill out the cafe survey form below and show the confirmation page to staff to redeem this offer. 

Focus areas: Nourish, Connect. 

Untold Stories

Untold Stories is a lived experience storytelling project, encouraging staff and students to share their stories about their mental health struggles, and how they have overcome them.

With an aim to inspire and normalise conversations about mental health in others, Untold Stories supports a mentally healthy culture at UNSW.

Read the lived experience stories of students and staff and take some time to reflect on your own mental health journey. 

Visit the installation around the Helen Maguire Lawn (Quad) outer walkway all month. 

Do you have your own story to share? Get in touch below. 

Focus areas: Connect, Be Aware.

UNSW Culture Awards | Nominations open

Submit by 9am, Thursday 16 October

The UNSW Culture Awards recognise outstanding achievements by individuals and student organisations at UNSW that have made key contributions in the creative field, community impact and cultural promotion during 2025.

Students and clubs will be acknowledged for their leadership and innovation in art, music, religious programs and engagement within our diverse campus community at the 2025 UNSW Culture Awards on Thursday 6 November.

All UNSW students and staff may submit nominations for club and individual awards. Nominees must be current UNSW students and recognised UNSW student societies or organisations.

Focus area: Help Others. 

Self-Compassion in Practice: Being Present with Emotions (Mandarin)

Friday 3, 10 & 17 October | 2-3.30pm | Room 2008, Level 2 East Wing Quadrangle Building

Studying in a foreign country, international students often face challenges related to identity and experience multiple pressures from academics and daily life.

This group provides a safe and supportive space for Mandarin-speaking students to explore their sense of self and to learn how to cultivate self-compassion in environments often filled with high expectations. Through practising warm and supportive self-dialogue, we will learn to notice and accept our thoughts and emotions and gently bring ourselves back to the present moment, helping to ease anxiety, stress and other emotional struggles.

We invite you to join us on this journey of reconnecting with yourself.

The group will be delivered in Chinese Mandarin.

Attendance at all sessions is recommended but not required. As this is a therapeutic intervention, please register by completing the form below. Please contact counselling@unsw.edu.au or call 02 9385 5418 if you have any questions. 

Focus areas: Keep Learning, Be Aware. 

自我关怀：与情绪共处的练习

在异国他乡求学，留学生们常常面临身份认同的挑战以及来自学业和生活的多重压力。本团体旨在为普通话背景的留学生提供一个安全、支持的空间，探索自我认同，并学习如何培养自我关怀的能力。通过练习温暖和支持的自我对话，我们将一起学习如何觉察并接纳自己的情绪与想法，温柔地把自己带回当下，从而更好地缓解焦虑、压力和其他情绪困扰。欢迎你加入我们，共同开启一段与自己对话的旅程。

该团体咨询小组将以中文普通话进行。

日期：星期五，10月3日、10月10日、10月17日（小组共进行3次。建议全程参加，但可根据个人情况灵活安排。）

时间：下午2点至3点半

地点： Room 2008, Level 2, East Wing, Quadrangle Building (map ref: E17)

这是一个团体心理咨询小组，请您填写线上登记表报名参加。

如有任何疑问，欢迎通过邮箱 counselling@unsw.edu.au 或致电 9385 5418 与我们联系。

Beats and Eats

12pm - 2pm | Library Lawn

• Wednesday 1 October
• Wednesday 15 October
• Wednesday 29 October

Listening to music and spending time in nature are shown to positively influence your mood, stress levels and wellbeing. What's better than music and sunshine while eating lunch?

UNSW's very own Indiana Nunn and Natalie Zhong will bring relaxing jazz, pop and RnB to the Library Lawn.

Pack your lunch - we'll see you there!

Focus areas: Connect, Nourish. 

Take care of your mind & body - 7 days for just $7!

This Mental Health Month, UNSW Fitness & Aquatic Centre is supporting your wellbeing with an incredible offer that won't break the budget!

What's included in the 7 Days for $7 Pass:

• Gym access
• Group fitness classes
• Steam room
• Pool access. 

Exclusive bonus: if you enjoy the one-week pass and decide to sign up for a full membership, we're offering:

• A 50% discount on your first two weeks of membership
• 1 x free TANITA Body Composition Scan
• 1 x complimentary Gym Programming session
• A 30-minute complimentary court booking (badminton/pickleball/squash). 

How to register:

1. Go to the UNSW Fitness & Aquatic Centre website 
2. Click "Join" > "Join Now"
3. Select "7 Day $7 Pass | FAC x UNSW HPU" > "Next"
4. Select "7 Day $7 PASS - FAC x UNSW Health & Promotion Unit" > "Next"
5. Choose your start date > "Next"
6. Enter your information > "Next"
7. Pay $7
8. Visit reception and have access added to your UNSW ID card. 

Cafe special: All students on this pass will receive $3 small coffees. We're also extending this offer to all UNSW staff members for the month of October in conjunction with the staff Health, Wellbeing and Safety Month. 

UNSW Good Food Trail

Monday 13 October - Friday 17 October

As part of Mental Health Month, grab a special meal deal at select eateries across campus. These specials are for Nutrition Week only! Get together with some friends or explore this trail solo for a nutritious and affordable meal. 

Upper Campus:

• Stock Market Kitchen: $10 large chicken soup
• Caffe Brioso: $12 caprese toastie

Middle Campus:

• Sushi Zoku: $12 poke bowl
• Plume Cafe: $10 salad range

Lower Campus:

• Taste Baguette: $12 small size bowls (crispy crumbed chicken, el grecko, texan beef and spicy greens)
• Yallah Eats: $12 full-size bowl (choice of any protein, topping and sauce). 

Focus areas: Nourish, Connect. 

Anti-Inflammatory Eating

Monday 13 October | 12-1pm | Online via Teams

In this workshop, you'll learn the core fundamentals of anti-inflammatory eating, including key foods to include or limit and practical tips on how you can reduce the inflammatory profile of your diet. 

You'll learn:

• How diet can help and hinder inflammation
• The role of gut health in inflammation
• How to change your diet to help manage inflammation
• What foods to limit to reduce inflammatory markers. 

Focus areas: Nourish, Keep Learning. 

Arc Wellness Check Point | Night-time Nibbles

Tuesday 14 October - Thursday 16 October | 6.30-8.30pm | Main Library & Law Library

Take a mindful study break – we'll take care of dinner! Visit our Wellness Warriors to pick up some nutritious, tasty food and bitesized opportunities to practise wellbeing skills. The more Wellness Check Points you visit, the more your skills will improve and the better you'll feel!

Focus areas: Nourish, Keep Learning. 

Fuel your Mind | Food on Campus

Tuesday 14 October | 12-1pm | Online via Zoom

Ever wondered why you feel sluggish after a meal or how the food you eat impacts your mood?

Join us for a webinar that explores the powerful connection between what we eat and how we feel and think. During this conversation with leading nutrition and public health experts, we’ll discuss what drives you to reach for a fast food over a nutritious meal and the fascinating relationship between nutrition and mental wellbeing.

You’ll also hear from UNSW about the positive changes happening right here at UNSW to support you to make the healthy choice, the easy choice.

Focus areas: Nourish, Keep Learning. 

Create cute bag charms

Tuesday 14 October | 2-4pm | UNSW Paddington Library

Take a break and enjoy a relaxing space for creating zero waste bag charms. Fabric scraps and sewing tools will be provided, or bring your own. 

Focus area: Connect. 

The Producers | Working Bee

Wednesday 15 October | 10am-2pm | Urban Garden (south-west end of Village Green)

Looking for a low-pressure way to connect with nature, community and campus life? Come along to The Producers’ weekly garden sessions! Whether you’re planting herbs, turning compost or just soaking up some sun with the crew, there’s always something to do (and something growing) in the Urban Garden.

Focus areas: Be Active, Connect. 

Paint, Plant & Grow

Wednesday 15 October | 10am-2pm | Basser Steps

Drop into Paint, Plant & Grow where you'll get creative and paint your own plant pot, choose some herbs and take it home to grow with you. 🌱 There'll be activities and matcha, brought to you by Thoughtful Foods.

Just as you would water your herbs and plants for them to grow, you need to nourish yourself with things like food, water, friendships and rest! Your herbs are your reminder that you also need the time and care to grow and flourish.

This event is brought to you by UNSW Health Promotion Unit and Thoughtful Foods.

Are you a foodie? Thoughtful Foods is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit food cooperative on Kensington Campus! They specialise in selling sustainable, ethically produced wholefoods including snacks, teas, grains, nuts, pantry basics, fresh fruit and veg, and much more at affordable prices. 🥔🥕

Focus areas: Connect, Nourish. 

Sleep, Stress and Food

Wednesday 15 October | 12-3pm | Online via Teams

In this workshop, you'll learn about the impact of sleep and stress on food intake, common pitfalls, optimal caffeine timing, the role of carbs in sleep and tips for managing your appetite. 

Think:

• The importance of sleep and how nutrition plays a role
• How caffeine can impact sleep
• Stress and its impacts on our health
• Foods to eat to support stress and sleep. 

Focus areas: Nourish, Keep Learning. 

How to get into a Positive Food Routine

Thursday 16 October | 12-1pm | Online via Teams

In this workshop, you'll learn simple tools and tricks to help you get into a positive food routine without the stress.

You'll learn:

• The benefits of routine
• Key tips for getting back into a positive food routine
• How to form healthy habits and plan for barriers
• How to navigate emotional eating. 

Focus areas: Keep Learning. 

Chess in the Library

Thursday 16 October | 2-4pm | Study Lounge, Level 2, Main Library

Did you know that playing chess can improve your memory, deepen your focus and boost your planning skills? 

Join us for some casual chess or get creative and make your own chess board and pieces! 

This event is suitable for all skill levels. No bookings required. 

Focus area: Connect. 

Mental Health First Aid Training for student leaders

Thursday 16 & 23 October | 9.30am-4.30pm | Room 2008, Level 2 East Wing Quadrangle Building

This subidised training costs $75 per person and includes both days. You must be able to attend both training days in full to be eligible for this training. Make sure to check your calendar before your register!

Focus areas: Keep Learning, Be Aware. 

Sprinkle some magic | Cupcake decorating

Wednesday 29 October | 3-4pm | Study Lounge, Level 2, Main Library

Join us for an enchanting afternoon and the Library Peer Mentor cookie and cupcake decorating extravaganza! 

Dive into a world of vibrant icings, colourful sprinkles and endless creativity as you transform plain treats into edible masterpieces. 

Focus area: Connect. 

Sprinkle some magic | Cupcake decorating

Thursday 30 October | 3-4pm | Law Library

Join us for an enchanting afternoon and the Library Peer Mentor cookie and cupcake decorating extravaganza! 

Dive into a world of vibrant icings, colourful sprinkles and endless creativity as you transform plain treats into edible masterpieces. 

Focus area: Connect. 

Open Studio: Windows in Time

Thursday 30 October | 2.30-4.30pm | Room 506, Level 5, Main Library

Join us for an afternoon of observation, curiosity and watercolour painting inspired by the UNSW Library exhibition, Revealing Riversleigh. 

Gain insights into Australia's ancient past through the fossil record of the Riversleigh World Heritage Area. 

What can fossils, rocks and minerals reveal about the Earth's past? What stories are embedded in their surfaces and structures? 

Explore a tactile collection of rocks and minerals, and let their textures and patinas spark your imagination. 

Take some time to slow down and create a series of watercolour paintings in response to your chosen specimens. No painting or geological experience is required.

Focus areas: Connect, Keep Learning. 

Be true with Labubu: Building belonging and confidence for multicultural men

Thursday 30 October | 4-6pm | Room 2008 Quadrangle Building, UNSW Kensington

Join us for an interactive and participatory two-hour workshop designed for men from multicultural backgrounds to come together, foster inclusion, and strengthen community connections. 

What to Expect:

• Connect with other men from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Share personal stories and cultural experiences
• Explore the role of identity and belonging across different cultures 
• Learn how to recognise and respond to discrimination and hate in safe and culturally respectful ways
• Build the confidence to be an active bystander

RunSoc Fridays

Every Friday in October | 5-7pm | Meet at Goldstein G02

Join us for a Friday run! UNSW RunSoc is about more than just kilometres – it's about community, movement and looking after mental wellbeing. 

Regular physical activity, like running, is a powerful way to boost mood, reduce stress and connect with others. 

Join us as we run together to raise awareness for mental health and show than no one has to go the distance alone. Whether you're chasing a PB or are just out for a jog and a chat, everyone is welcome. 

There's no need to register - see you there!

Focus area: Be Active.