At CQUniversity we take the physical and mental safety, health and welfare of our staff and students very seriously. That is why we have a number of measures in place to ensure you can access safety and security services when you need them.
SECURITY
Security Officers provide security and advice for students, staff and visitors of the University.
To contact security at any location please contact either x1331 from a CQUniversity landline phone or dial 0418 792 982.
SAFEZONE
The University has in place a simple, easy to use mobile application to deliver important emergency notification alerts and instructions to staff and students. The App also allows you to notify us of an unfolding emergency or submit an urgent request for help or first aid.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why should I get SafeZone?
SafeZone is a simple and seamless communication tool for CQUniversity to share information and messages with staff and students during emergency situations, including but not limited to severe weather events, off-campus emergencies that may affect the safety of our staff and students, and incidents that may trigger the need for a lockdown on campus. Along with this the App will also allow you to request first aid, call for help or alert us to an unfolding emergency.
It is not compulsory to download SafeZone however it will make it much easier for you to remain connected during an emergency and for you to call for help if and when you or someone else needs it.
If I get SafeZone will my privacy be protected?
SafeZone does not and cannot track your location until you send an Emergency Alarm or make a Help or First Aid call. All information that you provide as a SafeZone user is also protected by Federal and State Privacy Laws. Read about the privacy provisions at http://www.safezoneapp.com/privacy.html.
DOWNLOADING SAFEZONE
To download the App please go to the iOS App Store (for Apple users), Google Play (for Android users) or the Windows Phone Store, and search for 'SafeZone'. Once your download is complete you will then need to open the SafeZone App and sign-up using your CQUniversity staff or student email address (do not use a personal email address as this will not allow you to register).
The App is free to download and install.
Adding medical information
The CQUniversity SafeZone app has recently had two new fields added which will allow users to provide additional medical information.
Both new fields are optional and can be edited through your profile following the steps below:
Click on the three horizontal lines at the top left of the screen
Select your name at the very top
Complete the new sections titled medical condition(s) and special needs
Once you've filled in the two new (optional) fields, click the green 'update profile' tab at the bottom.
The information you provide in the new fields will only be accessed in the instance that you activate the SafeZone app in an emergency and are unable to communicate the information to the responder.
How to use SafeZone
For more information about SafeZone, please click here.
To learn about Occupational Health and Safety, please visit the occupational health and safety website or watch this short video.
Mental Health
The World Health Organisation describes good mental health as:
"a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."
What is Mental Illness?
Mental illness is a general term that refers to a group of illnesses affecting the mind, in the same way that physical illness affects the body. There are a number of factors that can contribute to a mental illness such as a chemical imbalance in the brain, stressful life events or drug use. Common mental illnesses and disorders include:
Symptoms of Stress
Work Safe Queensland outlines the common symptoms of stress and these can be divided into four categories: physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural.
The following table outlines some of the key symptoms:
| Physical | Cognitive | Emotional | Behavioural |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headaches | Difficulty concentrating | Anger | Increased alcohol use |
| Backaches | Forgetfulness | Anxiety | Cigarette smoking |
| Chest tightness | Worrying | Depression | Increased caffeine use |
| Fatigue | Thoughts of death | Poor self-esteem | Drug use |
| Stomach cramps | Poor attention to detail | Moodiness | Violence |
| Difficulty breathing | Perfectionist tendencies | Suspiciousness | Overeating |
| Diarrhoea | Indecisiveness | Guilt | Weight gain/loss |
| Loss of sexual interest | Feeling helpless | Weeping | Relationship conflict |
| Insomnia | Catastrophising | Loss of motivation | Decreased activity |
If you notice that you or one of your fellow students, friends, family or colleagues is exhibiting some of the above symptoms, seek appropriate assistance.
Getting Help
Asking for help may be as simple as talking to someone about the stress factors that might be increasing stress levels such as high workloads and tight time frames. Other strategies to manage stress may include:
- keeping physically active
- eating well
- limiting alcohol intake
- talking about your feelings with peers, a professional, friends and/or family
- getting involved and making a contribution to your community e.g. volunteering
- learning a new skill
If you or someone you care about is experiencing mental illness, you need to know you are not alone. There is a great deal of help available within the community. Anyone can experience mental illness - it's more common than you may think. So it's important that we try to understand what people around us may be going through.
Help in an emergency or mental health crisis:
- Emergency Services: Triple Zero (000) / Hearing impaired dial 106 by TTY
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
