Addressing Vaping Among Young People Experiencing Psychological Distress

Vaping is common among young adults, and university students who vape experience higher levels of psychological distress and report worse academic performance - outcomes likely to bring young people into contact with health and counselling services. This honours project will evaluate a targeted intervention to increase the identification of vaping and nicotine dependence among students accessing Monash University’s Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS). The student will help deliver an educational workshop to CAPS staff, then monitor changes in clinical practice over a 3-month period—tracking how often students are asked about vaping and how many are referred for cessation support. This project offers valuable experience in implementation research, health service evaluation, and behaviour change in clinical settings. It’s ideal for students interested in mental health, public health, or health systems improvement. The project will involve working with collaborative partners including the University Health and Counselling Services, South East Public Health Unit, and Quit Victoria. It is offered in the Department of General Practice were you will be exposed to an outstanding clinically oriented research environment consisting of weekly academic seminars that discuss clinical issues pertinent to medical care, academic journal clubs, and opportunities to learn from clinical educators and registrars in medicine. You will participate in a fortnightly, student led peer learning group, that puts you in the same room as graduate research students so you learn the language and culture of clinical research while continuing your development as a future health professional.