Mental health must be a top priority, say AUT student leaders

AUT students are being urged to prioritise their mental health after a positive Covid-19 test put the university in the news.

Yesterday, AUT city campus was listed as one of the 60 Auckland locations of interest in the Delta variant outbreak.

The student who tested positive attended a social science lecture in room WG403 at AUT’s City Campus between 11.30 am and 1 pm on August 17. They were infectious at the time.

AUTSA president Sisifa Lui urged students to prioritise their mental health.

“We do have a positive case in our community, but we should make sure we are doing our best to take care of ourselves.”

Although students were managing deadlines and assessments in lockdown, their "number-one priority must be our mental health as well as our wellbeing and that of our whanau’s wellbeing”, she said.

AUT classes have now resumed online after a one-day delay.

“It’s another time of uncertainty and disruption to both our studies and our home lives, but of course, this is a situation none of us have wanted to be in. We have got through this before and hopefully we will again.

“Reach out… [keep] taking care of yourself and taking care of those around you in your bubble. But we will get through this,” Ms Lui said.

Vice-Chancellor Derek McCormack informed the AUT student body of the case in an email yesterday evening.

There were 84 people in the social studies lecture, according to Mr McCormack.

“You will be contacted if you are identified as a close contact and provided with information about isolating and getting tested.

“This will be a shock for some people, but please be assured we are working with the health experts to manage this situation and will keep you informed,” the email said.

There are now 20 confirmed community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand. The first case of Covid-19 in the transmission has now been found.

For more information on cases, contacts, and Covid-19 testing, visit the Auckland Regional Public Health Service website.

For Covid-19 health advice, call the Healthline on 0800 358 5453.