“Finding my way”: Navigating mental health during tertiary years

Tertiary education is a time of rapid change. Whether it’s moving away from home for the first time, adjusting to new independence, or balancing study with work and life, tertiary students can face significant mental health challenges during this stage in life. 

Gabby Good, a Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider) and recent graduate, shares her journey – from leaving her small-town community in southwest Victoria to navigating university life – and the lessons she’s learned about supporting mental health in herself and others. 

Drawing from her own challenges and successes, Gabby shares how young adults – and those who support them – can make a difference. 

Build your own toolkit for mental health

“Learn strategies to promote your own mental health,” Gabby says. “The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to help yourself and your peers.” 

For some, this might mean connecting with a counsellor, psychologist, or psychiatrist to develop coping techniques that support your own mental health.  

Seek opportunities for training

Tertiary students can seek out training opportunities that might be available at their universities or in their groups. Many universities and TAFEs across Australia offer MHFA training, and health professional students can access funded MHFA for Health Professional Students eLearning through participating universities.  

“I benefited a lot from training opportunities provided by my hall, my university, and the sporting clubs I was part of,” Gabby says. 

Alternatively, if you support a tertiary student in your life, a Standard MHFA course can equip you with the skills to recognise, understand and support mental health problems with confidence. 

Keep learning beyond mental health

Building your knowledge and understanding in areas that help you connect with different groups is important, too. This could include learning to be an effective ally to people from LGBTIQA+, multicultural, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds – recognising that identity and mental health often intersect. 

“Equipping yourself with more knowledge and more skills will also help to promote mental health,” Gabby explains. 

Share your story (if you feel comfortable)

“When young adults are out there doing things, and are high achievers, you often don’t realise that they might also be seeking – or may need to seek – professional help for their mental health,” Gabby says.  

If you feel comfortable, talking openly about your own mental health can help normalise help-seeking and reduce stigma. 

Get involved in community activities around you

Gabby’s own experience moving away from home shows the importance of connection. Getting involved in new activities can help create spaces for new connections and friendships.  

“If I hadn’t thrown myself into all the new clubs and my life on campus, I just would have been alone,” says Gabby.  

Offer understanding and recognise the signs

Young adults in tertiary education often juggle rapid change, heavy workloads, and personal challenges.  

“Often there’s some sort of reason underneath why we might be struggling.”  

Celebrate achievements

“Even though we are facing a lot of challenges, young people also do amazing things,” Gabby says.  

Recognition and encouragement can boost confidence and support positive mental health outcomes. 

The takeaway

Gabby’s story is a reminder that while tertiary education can be challenging, it’s also a place where students can thrive with the right support.  

Whether you’re walking alongside peers or guiding as a mentor, teacher, or family member, small acts of empathy, understanding, and encouragement can help make every conversation matter – and every young adult feel they belong.