Student Counselling Service
Your campus provides free and confidential counselling to all face-to-face and online students who are currently enrolled and located in Australia and New Zealand. This non-judgmental service does not diagnose; we only listen and help you explore areas of concern and work on strategies that can assist you.
Attending counselling does not mean there is anything wrong with you; it simply provides a confidential and neutral place to freely express your needs and concerns. Counselling sessions are not registered on your academic record.
Counselling is simply a place to get some support and assistance that will help you get through your studies.
Common reasons for seeking counselling
- Coping with the impact of COVID-19
- Feeling isolated, stressed, or unmotivated
- Cultural issues and adjusting to change
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Managing stress and anxiety
- Handling loneliness or lack of support
- Loss and grief
- Sexual identity
- Homesick; missing your family and friends
- Concerns with work or study
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Discover and strive toward full potential
- Low mood
- Violence and abuse in a relationship
- Feeling lost or stuck
- Lack of confidence, self-esteem, or body image
- Coping with a crisis
- Procrastination and study issues
- Balancing commitments
- Dealing with family and relationship issues
- Just needing someone neutral and independent to talk to
Further information
FAQ
Q. Do I need a referral?
A. No, you do not need a referral. Contact your campus counsellor to make an appointment.
Q. How often do I need to come to counselling?
A. This is an individual decision and is worked out with your counsellor. Together you will work out the most appropriate type of counselling and sessions required.
Q. How much will counselling cost me?
A. Counselling on campus is free for all students enrolled in Australia.
Q. How do I know if I need counselling?
You can often tell if someone close to you isn't coping with a situation. At the same time, it's easy to tell yourself you're coping just fine even if you're not. Counselling can help you if you:
- Are unsure how to deal with an issue
- You have tried to deal with the problem on your own but haven’t succeeded
- Are feeling confused and want some help making a difficult decision
- Feel you have no one else to talk to
Counselling can help you see the problem from a different point of view. It is easy to get caught up in a problem and believe there is no way out. Counselling will help you see a problem objectively and find solutions that you may not have thought of.
Q, What are the benefits of counselling?
- Gain a clearer understanding of the problem
- Better manage your workload
- Learn new coping strategies to work through problems
- Break through negative behaviour patterns
- Have a life which you can more fully enjoy
- Develop self-awareness and understanding of yourself and others
Tools and resources
- Headspace
National youth mental health foundation dedicated to improving the wellbeing of young Australians. - Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind offers a unique web and app-based tool to help bring balance to people's lives. - beyondblue
beyondblue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
7 ways to ease an anxious mind
We've all experienced anxious thoughts at some point. But, we rarely take time to actually stop and do something to ease our anxieties. Here are some tips:
Mood Mission
This iPhone app is designed to assist you with managing anxiety, stress and low moods.
If you are having suicidal thoughts or fear for someone else who may be struggling with such thoughts, we have people who can help you. Each campus has staff members who have undertaken specialist training to qualify as an "Alert Helper". This means they are able to connect, ask about suicide and assist in a warm handover to a specialist who can care for people with suicidal thoughts. Please click on the desired campus to view our list of Alert Helpers.
Kent St. Campus
| Kim Sabey | Campus Director |
| Marcela Hertnekyova | PD for Accounting |
| Robin Wells | TULC Program Manager |
| Susan Anderson | Counsellor |
Leura Campus
| Craig Billingham | Duty Manager |
| Adriana Glackin | Student Life Coordinator |
| Adriana Gruber | Manager Front Office |
| Rosita Inghamn | Counsellor |
| Paula Owen | Counsellor |
| Rodney Pennicuik | Duty Night Manager |
Pyrmont Campus
| Georgie Bellas | Campus Director |
| Elizabeth Dene | Senior Lecturer |
| Sonia Ferrara | Clinic Manager |
| Lisa Walsh | PD Counselling |
| Miriam Holder | Counsellor |
The Rocks
| David Whyte | Campus Director |
| Andrew Madden | Head Chef and Learning Facilitator |
| Kirsten Browne | Program Director Hospitality |
| Mark Sweet | Senior Success Coach |
| Susan Anderson | Counsellor |
Town Hall Campus
| Amanda Young | Learning & Library Advisor |
| Rosita Inghamn | Counsellor |
| Paula Owen | Counsellor |
Ultimo Campus
| Rebecca Murphy | Campus Director |
| Jock Boyd | Senior Success Coach |
| Christina Siemen | Student Services Advisor |
| Stef How | Student Services Advisor |
| Miraa Best | Counsellor |
Wakefield Campus - Adelaide
| Eloise Pascoe | Campus Director |
| Terri Allott | Student Finance Officer |
| Erin McMormack | Student Complaints Officer |
| Donna Haylock | Student Complaints Manager |
| Mikki Labbozzetta | Student Services Advisor |
| Martin Dugan | Customer Service Agent |
| Sebastian Pabon | Customer Service Agent |
| Ben Minear | Customer Service Agent |
| Dash Hasler | Customer Service Agent |
| Jess Blakemore | Customer Service Agent |
| Sajjad Akbar | Learning Facilitator |
| Debbie Smith | Senior Lecturer |
| Victoria Del Medico | Nursing Educator |
| Chris Obi | Learning Facilitator |
| Amy Anderson | Success Coach |
| Jessica Tyndall | Head Librarian |
| Hayley Byass | Academic Governance and Policy Project Coordinator |
| Michelle Cahill | Advisor Academic Governance and Policy |
| Hayley Hillson | Library and Learning Advisor |
| Daniel Gale | Customer Service Agent |
| Lauren Dougherty | Customer Service Agent |
| Stephanie Wilkinson | Customer Service Agent |
| Leanne Laffin | Customer Service Agent |
| Marie Mastrangelo | Customer Service Agent |
| Saki Likouresis | Manager Contact Centre |
| Amanda Nixon | Nursing Educator |
| James Calvert | Learning Facilitator |
| Ali Saad | Head of Quality Improvement |
| Dee Singline | Nursing Educator |
| Melissa Denison | Senior Learning Facilitator |
| Christy Woodward | Nursing Educator |
| Vaughn Koen | Success Coach |
| Rebecca Schulz | Counsellor |
Bowen Terrace Campus - Brisbane
| Allison Knight | Lecturer |
| Brodie Gordon-Sellkirk | Student Services Advisor |
| Carmen Perkins | Program Director |
| Cush Miller | Business Development Coordinator |
| Dipu Sebastian | Head Chifley Business School |
| Esther Parker | Learning Facilitator |
| Megan Lyneham | Library and Learning Advisor |
| Liam Key | Learning Facilitator |
| Monica Hudson | Success Coach |
| Neville Hartley | Senior Learning Facilitator |
| Stewart Ward | Lecturer |
| Melissa Desmarchelier | Counsellor |
Flinders St. Campus - Melbourne
| Lisa Wilson | Success Coach Design |
| Terese McAleese | Campus Director |
| Patrick Ruggles | Counsellor |
Fitzroy Campus - Melbourne
| Kelli Benjamin | Learning Facilitator - Health Science |
| Karen Scott | Campus Director |
| Timothy C. Trevail | Program Director - School of Health Science |
| Andrea Williams | Senior Learning Facilitator |
| Alison C. Kane | Senior Lecturer - Health Science |
| Patrick Ruggles | Counsellor |
Gotha Campus - Brisbane
| Sharon Peut | Nursing Coordinator |
| Sandra McCormack | Manager Clinic Practice |
| Melissa Desmarchelier | Counsellor |
| Anastasia Johnson | Success Coach |
| Janette Leifi | Student Services Advisor |
| Services | Telephone | Website & Email |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | 000 24 hours | https://www.triplezero.gov.au |
| Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.au |
| SANE | 1800 18 SANE (7263) | https://www.sane.org/ helpline@sane.org |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 24 hours | https://www.lifeline.org.au |
| Poisons Information Centre | 13 11 26 24 hours | https://www.poisonsinfo.nsw.gov.au |
| Headspace | 1800 650 890 | https://headspace.org.au/about-us/contact-us/ |
| Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800 | https://kidshelpline.com.au/ |
| International Student's Emergency Line | 134 148 | https://www.ahmoshc.com.au/ |
| Q-Life | 1800 184 527 | https://qlife.org.au/ |
| Addiction Reach Out Australia | 1800 177 833 | https://au.reachout.com/tough-times/addiction |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | 1300 222 222 | https://aa.org.au/ |
| Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Helpline | 1800 882 436 | https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/ |
| Men's Line Australia | 1300 789 978 | https://mensline.org.au/ |
| Sexual Assault Crisis Line | 1800 806 292 | https://www.sacl.com.au/ |
|
Help is Available If you, or someone you know, are thinking about suicide or are experiencing distress, help is available. No one needs to face their problems alone. Contact one of the services below for support or talk to your General Practitioner (GP): |
||
|
Lifeline |
Provides all Australian experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services |
13 11 14 |
|
NSW Mental Health Line |
A single number, state-wide 24-hour mental health telephone access service |
1800 011 511 |
|
Suicide Call Back Service |
A nationwide service that provides 24/7 telephone, video an online professional counselling |
1300 659 467 |
|
beyondblue |
Provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health |
1300 22 4636 |
|
Kids Helpline |
A free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25 |
1800 55 1800 |
|
headspace |
A free service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time |
1800 650 890 |
|
Mindspot Clinic |
An online and telephone clinic providing free assessment and treatment services for Australian adults with anxiety or depression |
1800 61 44 34 |
|
Mensline Australia |
A telephone and online support, information and referral service for men |
1300 78 99 78 |
|
QLife |
A nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for LGBTI people |
1800 184 527 |
|
National Indigenous Critical Response Service (NICRS) |
Provides emotional and practical support to bereaved families and individuals impacted by a suicide or other traumatic loss |
1800 805 801 https://thirrili.com.au/national-indigenous-critical-response-service-nicrs/ |
|
Carers Australia |
Short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families |
1800 242 636 |
|
1800RESPECT |
National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service |
1800 737 732 |
|
Child Protection Helpline |
Call if you are concerned that a child or young person is demonstrating suicidal or self-harming behaviours and they are a danger to themselves and their parent/carer is neglecting their mental health care |
132 111 |
|
Relationships Australia |
A provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities |
1300 364 277 |
|
Men’s Referral Service |
Men’s Referral Service provide telephone counselling, information and referrals for men who use domestic and family violence |
1300 766 491 |
|
SANE Australia |
Information about mental illness, treatments, where to go for support and help for carers |
1800 187 263 |
|
If you or someone you are with is in immediate danger, please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. |
||
Support Services in all our States and New Zealand
National Support for Australia
The services below are national initiatives that will provide support for our students and staff. Regional offices can also be located through these websites.
| Services | Telephone | Website & Email |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | 000 24 hours | https://www.triplezero.gov.au |
| Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.au |
| SANE | 1800 18 SANE (7263) | https://www.sane.org/ helpline@sane.org |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 24 hours | https://www.lifeline.org.au |
| Poisons Information Centre | 13 11 26 24 hours | https://www.poisonsinfo.nsw.gov.au |
| Headspace | 1800 650 890 | https://headspace.org.au/about-us/contact-us/ |
| Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800 | https://kidshelpline.com.au/ |
| International Student's Emergency Line | 134 148 | https://www.ahmoshc.com.au/ |
| Q-Life | 1800 184 527 | https://qlife.org.au/ |
| Addiction Reach Out Australia | 1800 177 833 | https://au.reachout.com/tough-times/addiction |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | 1300 222 222 | https://aa.org.au/ |
| Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Helpline | 1800 882 436 | https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/ |
| Men's Line Australia | 1300 789 978 | https://mensline.org.au/ |
| Sexual Assault Crisis Line | 1800 806 292 | https://www.sacl.com.au/ |
National Support for New Zealand
The services below detail national support initiatives accessible to our New Zealand students and staff.
| Services | Telephone | Websites |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | 24 hours - 111 | https://www.police.govt.nz/contact-us |
| Lifeline | 24 hours - 0800 543 354 | https://www.lifeline.org.nz/ |
| Suicide Crisis Helpline | 24 hours -05 08828865 | https://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline |
| Depression Helpline | 24 hours- 0800 111 757 | https://depression.org.nz/ |
| Anxiety NZ Trust | 24 hours-0800 269 4389 | www.anxiety.org.nz |
| Alcohol and Drug Helpline | 24 hours-0800787797 | alcoholdrughelp.org.nz |
| Victim Support Helpline | 24 hours- 0800842846 | https://www.victimsupport.org.nz/ |
| Family Violence | 24 hours-0800456450 | http://www.areyouok.org.nz/ |
| Sexual Abuse Helpline | 24 hours 096231700 | https://www.helpauckland.org.nz/ |
| Auckland Hospital | 24 hours -0800611116 | https://www.adhb.health.nz/ |
| Mental Health Crisis Helpline | 24 hours-0800800717 | https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/ |
| Auckland Transport | 24 hours-093666400 | https://at.govt.nz/ |
| Accident Compensation Centre | Mon-Fri -0800101996 | https://www.acc.co.nz/contact/ |
| Gambling Crisis Helpline | 24 hours 0800654658 | https://www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz |
| NZQA | Mon-Fri 0800697296 | https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/education-code-of-practice/ |
| Immigration NZ | Mon-Fri 0508558855 | https://www.immigration.govt.nz/ |
| Work and Income | Mon-Fri -0800559009 | https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/ |
.
Support for New South Wales
The support services provided below will connect our NSW students to state-specific help as needed.
| Services | Telephone | Website & Email |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide Victims Support Group | 1800 191 777 | |
| NSW Rape Crisis Centre |
1800 RESPECT 1800 424 017 |
http://www.nswrapecrisis.com.au/ |
| NSW Mental Health Line | 1800 011 511 | www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/mental_health.asp |
| Police Assistance Line | 131 444 (24 hours/7 Days) | www.police.nsw.gov.au |
| SES (State Emergency Service) | 132 500 | https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/ |
| Alcohol & Drug Information Service | 1800 422 599 | https://yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au |
|
FACS – Before I make a report |
To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call the Child Protection Helpline on: 132 111 (24 hours/7 days) |
Child Abuse - Before making a report |
| FACS – Mandatory Reporting (Family and Community Services) | 132 111 (24 hours/7 days) | Preventing Child Abuse |
| Link2home Homelessness | 1800 152 152 | https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/are-you-homeless |
| Legal Aid NSW | 1300 888 529 | http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/ |
Support for Victoria
The support services listed below will assist our Victoria-based students in seeking help as needed.
| Services | Telephone | Websites |
|---|---|---|
| Suicide Line (statewide helpline) | 1300 651 251 | https://www.suicideline.org.au/ |
| Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467 | https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/ |
| Panic, Anxiety & Depression Assistance (PADA) | (03) 9886 9400 | http://www.reconnexion.org.au/ |
| ARCVIC - OCD and Anxiety Helpline |
1300 269 438 (03) 9830 0533 |
https://www.arcvic.org.au/our-services/helpline |
|
Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) Counselling & Support Line |
1800 806 292 (Free call) (03) 9349 2210 |
CASA support resources |
| Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line - After Hours |
1800 806 292 (Free call) (03) 9347 1766 |
https://www.sacl.com.au/ |
|
Mental Health Community Support Service: Melbourne wide Mental Health referral service Non urgent referrals, available within business hours. |
1300 379 462 | Mental Health Support and Referrals |
Support for Queensland
The services below are Queensland based organisations that will provide support for our students and staff.
| Services | Telephone | Websites |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence Service | 1800 811 811 | http://www.dvconnect.org/contact/ |
| Brisbane Sexual Assault Service (Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital) | (07) 3636 5206 | Health Service Provider Queensland |
| Alcohol & Drug Information Service | 1800 177 833 | Metro North Queensland Find Support |
| Gamblers Anonymous | (07) 3356 0117 | Community Services Queensland |
| Mission Australia Helpline | (07) 3394 8100 | Mission Australia Queensland |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | 1300 222 222 | https://aa.org.au/ |
| Mental Health Association of Qld | (07) 3620 8800 | https://www.hoa.mentalhealth.org.au/ |
| Migrant Women's Emergency Support Service | (07) 3846 3490 | Communities Queensland Services |
| Legal Aid, Herschel St City | 1300 651 188 | Legal Aid Queensland |
| Caxton Street Legal Service | (07) 3214 6333 | https://caxton.org.au/ |
| Tenants Union of Qld | 1300 744 263 | https://tenantsqld.org.au/contact-us/ |
| Women's Accommodation (Salvation Army) | (07) 3832 6073 | https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/brisbanecity/ |
| Homeless Men's Hostel (Salvation Army) | (07) 3832 1491 | Salvation Army Pindari Hostel |
| Crisis Accommodation for the Homeless | 1800 474 753 | Queensland Temporary Emergency Housing |
| Tenants Advice & Advocacy Service |
(07) 3358 3951 or (07) 3857 8686 |
Tenant Advice Service Queensland |
| Centrelink Youth & Students Line | 13 24 90 | Human Services Queensland |
| Money Care Financial Counsellors (Salvos) | 1300 371 288 | Financial Assistance Salvation Army Qld |
Support for South Australia
The services below are state-based initiatives in south Australia that will provide support for our students and staff.
| Services | Telephone | Websites |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Mental Health Service | 13 14 65 | Mental Health Services SA |
| Yarrow Place - Rape & Sexual Assault Service SA | 1800 817 421 | Yarrow Place Services |
| Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467 | https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au |
| Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) | 13 00 782 200 | Women's Health and Safety |
| SA Homeless Gateway | 1800 003 308 | Emergency Shelter SA |
| SA Intensive Gambling Help Service | (08) 82323333 | https://psychmed.com.au/gambling-help-services/ |
| Legal Services Commission of SA | 1300 366 424 | https://lsc.sa.gov.au/ |
| Parent Helpline | 1300 364 100 | http://www.cyh.com/SubContent.aspx?p=102 |
| South Australia Police | (08) 7322 4800 | https://www.police.sa.gov.au/ |
Support for Western Australia
The services below are state-based organisations that will provide support for our students and staff.
| Services | Telephone | Websites |
|---|---|---|
| Public Mental Health Services | Public Mental Health Services | |
| Mental Health Emergency Response Line | 1300 555 788 | Helplines Mental Health WA |
| Drug and Alcohol Youth Service | (08) 9222 6300 | Youth Services - Drug & Alcohol |
| Women's Health and Family Services | (08) 6330 5400 | https://whfs.org.au |
| Narcotics Anonymous | (08) 9227 8361 | https://www.wana.org.au/ |
| Health Consumers' Council | (08) 9221 3422 | https://www.hconc.org.au/ |
| Ngala Parenting Line | (08) 9368 9368 | https://www.ngala.com.au/contact/ |
| Legal Aid Western Australia | 1300 650 579 | https://www.legalaid.wa.gov.au/ |
| WA Suicide Prevention Network | (08) 9261 4453 | WA Statewide Suicide Prevention |
| Entrypoint Perth: homeless accommodation | (08) 6496 0001 | http://www.entrypointperth.com.au/ |
| Western Australia Police Force | 131 444 | https://www.police.wa.gov.au/ |
Support for Australian Capital Territory
The services below are ACT organisations that will provide support for our students and staff.
| Services | Telephone | Websites |
|---|---|---|
| ACT Policing | 131 444 | https://police.act.gov.au/ |
| ACT Shelter | (02) 6247 3727 | https://www.actshelter.net.au/ |
| Legal Aid ACT | 1300 654 314 | http://www.legalaidact.org.au/ |
| LifeLine Canberra | 13 11 14 24 hours | https://www.lifelinecanberra.org.au/ |
| Access Mental Health | (02) 6205 1065 | https://www.health.act.gov.au/services/mental-health |
| Women's Information Service | (02) 6205 1075 | Empower Respect Connect |
| ACT ParentLink | 13 34 27 | www.parentlink.act.gov.au/ |
| Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug support | (02) 5124 9977 | https://directory.atoda.org.au/ |
| Domestic Violence Crisis Service | (02) 6280 0900 | https://dvcs.org.au/ |
Support for Northern Territories
The services below are state-based initiatives that will provide support for our students and staff.
| Services | Telephone | Websites |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Territory Police Force | 131 444 | https://www.police.wa.gov.au/ |
| ShelterMe: homelessness support | https://www.shelterme.org.au/ | |
| NT Legal Aid | 1800 019 343 | https://www.legalaid.nt.gov.au/ |
| NT Mental Health Line | 1800 682 288 | 24-hour mental health lines |
| Standby - Support after Suicide | 0418 575 680 | http://standbysupport.com.au/ |
| National Indigenous Critical Response Service | 1800 805 801 | https://thirrili.com.au/nicrs |
| Women's remote community safe houses | (08) 8964 1967 | Community Safe Houses |
| Parentline (8am-10pm 7 days a week) | 1300 30 1300 | https://www.parentline.com.au/ |
Support for Tasmania
The services below are state-based organisations that will provide support for our students and staff.
| Services | Telephone | Websites |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Community Mental Health Services | 1300 135 513 | Community Mental Health TAS |
| Sexual Assault Support Service | 1300 135 513 | Sexual Assault Support |
| Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network | 1300 364 277 | http://www.suicidepreventiontas.org.au/help |
| Family Violence Counselling and Support Service | 1300 135 513 | Family Violence Counselling |
| Anglicare TAS, Life Challenges | 1800 243 232 | https://www.anglicare-tas.org.au/support-for-life-challenges/ |
| Tasmania Police | 131 444 | https://www.police.tas.gov.au |
| Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania | 1300 366 611 | https://www.legalaid.tas.gov.au/ |
| Parent Line (24 hour service) | 1300 808 178 | Children and Families Parentline |
Counsellors and bookings
From March 23, 2020 all Counselling sessions will be held online.
Book an appointment with your counsellor
Online
Email: counsellor.online@laureate.edu.au
Sydney
Pyrmont
Miriam Holder:
counsellor.pyrmont@laureate.net.au
Kent Street
Susan Anderson:
counsellor.kentstreet@laureate.edu.au
Book online
Ultimo
Miraa Best:
counsellor.ultimo@laureate.net.au
Book online
The Rocks
Susan Anderson:
counsellor.rocks@laureate.net.au
Book online
Melbourne
Flinders St
Patrick Ruggles:
counsellor.melbourne@laureate.net.au
Book online
Fitzroy
Patrick Ruggles:
counsellor.fitzroy@laureate.net.au
Book online
Brisbane
Bowen Terrace & Gotha St.
Melissa Desmarchelier:
counsellor.brisbane@laureate.net.au
Adelaide - Wakefield
Rebecca Schulz:
counsellor.adelaide@laureate.edu.au
Auckland
Flora Sta. Ana - MDS
counsellor.auckland@mediadesignshool.com
In case of emergency
For after hours assistance contact:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14;
- your doctor; or
- the emergency department at your local hospital.