Healthy Campuses

Forty-seven university representatives from across Australia and New Zealand came together online on Tuesday 28 July for the latest UniSport Healthy Campus Community of Practice, which explored practical ways to advance mental health and wellbeing through the FISU Healthy Campus program.  The session focused on FISU Healthy Campus Criteria 82–89, with presenters sharing practical implementation strategies, whole-of-university approaches and initiatives designed to support the wellbeing of students and staff.  The session […]

University students face growing demand for accessible mental health support, but questions remain about whether digital services can deliver meaningful outcomes in routine care. Macquarie University evaluated an internet‑delivered cognitive behavioural therapy program offered through the university’s counselling service for students experiencing anxiety and depression. Over five years, the study found significant reductions in both […]

Despite growing investment in university mental health initiatives, evidence on their effectiveness remains limited. Researchers from Deakin University evaluated the impact of the university’s Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy by comparing student survey data collected before (2019) and after (2022) its implementation. While overall mental health outcomes showed little improvement, the researchers noted that […]

University student mental health challenges are rising, yet many avoid traditional support due to stigma and accessibility barriers. Edith Cowan University trialled The Living Room, a low‑barrier, peer‑led service offering informal, appointment‑free support. Surveying 110 students during early rollout, the study found most sought help for mental health concerns (77%), academic stress (65%) and interpersonal […]

How can universities create environments where every student feels safe, respected and supported? RMIT University is taking a comprehensive approach to preventing bullying, discrimination and gender-based violence through a range of interconnected initiatives focused on education, leadership development, support services and community engagement. Grounded in national recommendations and frameworks addressing student safety and gender-based violence, […]

How do you prepare students to represent their university, support one another, and stay safe at a major multi-day sporting event? La Trobe University’s 2025 Uni Nationals Participant Training provides a strong example of how sport can be used as a platform for leadership, wellbeing, community responsibility and student safety. Designed for students representing Team […]

University students often struggle to balance study, work and social commitments, resulting in low levels of physical activity despite its well-established benefits for health and learning. Researchers from a German University examined the day-to-day relationship between physical activity, stress, recovery and academic performance among university students during a 10-day study period. Students who engaged in […]

University students experience high rates of psychological distress, poor mental health, and declining wellbeing, all of which can negatively affect academic performance and student retention. Researchers from the University of Newcastle have developed the PEAK (Mood, Mind and Marks) program to address growing concerns about student mental health, wellbeing and academic performance. Using behavioural science, […]

University students are often portrayed as being at greater risk of mental health problems than their non-student peers, but new Australian research suggests the picture may be more complex. Researchers from the University of Canberra compared the mental health and wellbeing of more than 1,700 young Australians and found no meaningful differences in overall psychological […]

Senior leaders from the Federation of Chinese University and School Sports (FOCUSS) concluded a study visit across Australia’s eastern seaboard in late May 2026, exploring how universities are leveraging sport, physical activity and institutional wellbeing frameworks to support student success and healthier campus communities. The high-level tour, facilitated by UniSport Australia (UniSport), provided an immersive […]