Online counselling for AUT students

Auckland University of Technology students seeking help with problems such as depression and relationship break-ups will be able to get counselling online - a first for a New Zealand university.

Counselling sessions will take place by email, live chat or a mixture of both, and it is hoped the service will appeal to those reluctant to seek face-to-face help.

AUT counsellor and lecturer Leon Tan said online counselling had many advantages. It not only removed geographic and mobility barriers, but provided flexible appointment times and was easy for the hearing-impaired to use.

Many of AUT's Asian students were not happy to use the university's counselling services, partly because of the perceived stigma attached to doing so. The online service offered greater privacy, said Mr Tam.

"Many people find it easier to discuss significant issues without someone sitting in front of them," he said.

"They can express their feelings openly online from the comfort of their own home or office."

Anyone seeking help would be required to fill out a survey, including details about any previous history of treatment. They would also have to give consent for counsellors to contact their GP or other health workers if necessary.

Mr Tan said the survey would establish if a person was suitable for online counselling, and anyone with a severe psychiatric disorder would be advised to seek help from his or her GP or student counselling service.

He expected the service, which would also be available to AUT staff, to handle issues from mild to moderate depression, relationship break-ups, grief and troubles with study. Counsellors would respond to students and staff within one to two days.

Online counselling and psychotherapy were gaining increased acceptance from health workers and he believed it was possible for people to have an "authentic emotional connection" online.

"With online dating, people fall in love and go on to get married, demonstrating the medium itself doesn't preclude emotional engagement."

Next year AUT will introduce two online counselling papers for those training to work in mental healthcare and health sciences. Mr Tan said it was the first time a university in Australasia had offered the papers entirely over the internet.

* AUT's online counselling service will be launched on Thursday.