Your Safety
Your health, safety and wellbeing are important to us, and a safe and healthy campus will not happen on its own accord. We need to work together by sharing ideas, communicating risks, and supporting each other.

Your Responsibility
You are responsible for looking after your own health, safety and wellbeing. Take the time to become familiar with all safety procedures. If you are unsure of anything, it is important that you ask a staff member for assistance and clarification. They are there to help you. It is better to ask and be sure that you are safe, than making guesses or poor judgements which could result in an accident and harm yourself or someone else. Remember, health and safety is for your protection and will be expected by prospective employers in your near future.

Health
By looking out for each other, having open discussion, actively taking part and always seeking improvement, together we can make MDS a healthy environment for you to study in.

Recognising Distress Signals
Even the strongest person can sometimes experience significant stress. The following are some guidelines about signs and symptoms of distress that warrant support:

  • Lack of energy and frequently falling asleep in class
  • Marked changes in personal hygiene and/or weight
  • Withdrawn from social contact and interaction
  • Very emotional over an extended period of time e.g. fearfulness, tearful or nervous
  • Unable to make decisions, despite considerable help
  • Impaired or garbled speech and disjointed thoughts
  • Homicide threats, overtly suicidal thoughts, or high levels of disruptive or abrasive behaviour
  • Inappropriately bizarre or strange behaviour, e.g. talking to 'invisible" people
  • Has disjointed thoughts - inability to concentrate
  • Wanting to learn strategies for managing stress, disappointment, anxiety, etc
  • Concerned about loss or grief, sexuality, relationships, managing addictions, depression
  • Worried about accommodation, sleep loss, appetite

Counselling and Mentoring

Student Counsellor Anna Boivin is located on level 4, offering free, confidential and professional counselling and mentoring services. Contact her by emailing: counselling@mediadesignschool.com

Smoking
MDS promotes a smoke free workplace in accordance with NZ legislation and requires that no person smokes inside any part of our campus. If you are a smoker, please show the courtesy not to smoke at the main entrance, as it is unpleasant and unhealthy for non-smokers having to wander through second hand smoke and also restricts the entrance way.

Hygiene
To minimize risk of infection and enhance overall health, proper grooming and healthy personal habits can help.

Some basic personal hygiene habits that are worth thinking about:

  • Bathe regularly
  • Wash your hands regularly
    • before preparing or eating food
    • after going to the bathroom
    • after coughing or sneezing
    • handling rubbish