Third-level students under stress as recession kicks in

THIRD-LEVEL STUDENTS are increasingly under stress due to financial worries and concern over their future, according to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).

The union has begun distributing free mental health information packs to students at third-level colleges throughout the State as part of this year’s Mental Health Awareness week which began yesterday.

The information packs include postcards, stickers and bookmarks advising students of places to turn to when things get too much.

The aim of the annual campaign, which has the motto “talk it out, let it out, sort it out”, is to encourage young people to look after their mental health and highlight the support services available to those who need help.

As part of this year’s initiative, the union has also teamed up with mobile operator Meteor and Rehab to introduce a text messaging service that provides contact details of support services within individual colleges.

“In recent times many students have been challenged by delays in the grants system which is putting extra pressure on people who are starting college for the first time and are already stressed due to the move away from home and the challenges they encounter on campus,” USI welfare officer Ciarán Fitzpatrick told The Irish Times.

“In addition, there are many students close to finishing college who are looking at the jobs front with dismay. Many of them are realising that they will likely be faced with the prospect of either signing on or leaving Ireland and so this is causing untold concern.”

This year’s campaign comes shortly after it emerged that the number of students seeking help for mental health difficulties at an occupational therapy service at Trinity College Dublin had more than doubled in recent times.

In a report released at the end of October, the Unilink service, which was set up in 2003 to help students adjust to campus life, it emerged that 107 students had sought assistance during the 2008/2009 academic year, compared with just 50 a year earlier.