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Mental Health Supports in UCD

Mental Health Supports in UCD

UCD has a range of services and resources available to students who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

Access and Lifelong Learning - Disability Support

The Disability Support team put supports in place for students with a disability (including mental health difficulties). These supports enable students to participate fully in academic life, and to minimise any impact that a mental health difficulty may have on learning.  

Supports can include: 

  • Reasonable accommodations for timed exams
  • Reasonable accommodations for the classroom
  • Assistive Technology
  • Support to develop academic and wellbeing skills

To access these supports, you must submit documentation as outlined on our UCD Evidence of Disability Form and attend a Needs Assessment meeting.

Temporary Exam Supports

Students with ongoing mental health difficulties are encouraged to arrange ongoing support with UCD Access & Lifelong Learning, as outlined above. If you are experiencing an acute or temporary mental health difficulty you may wish to avail of temporary exam supports for end of trimester exams. For online exams you should contact your module coordinators to discuss.

Student Counselling Service

This is a free and confidential service staffed by professionally qualified psychologists and counsellors. The supports they offer include:

  • One-to-one counselling - Counselling allows you to speak privately with a professional about problems that are worrying or upsetting. This can support you in finding new ways of understanding and managing the problem. You can register for counselling by filling out an online form. The number of sessions offered depends on your needs.
  • Group counselling and workshops are offered on topics such as stress management, mindfulness, and bereavement support.
  • (opens in a new window)SilverCloud gives you immediate access to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) programmes that you can work through at your own pace.

Student Health Service

The Student Health Service offers a number of supports that may be helpful to students experiencing mental health difficulties. 

  • Doctor appointments - Speaking to a Doctor/General Practitioner (GP) is often a good starting point if you are unsure of what support you might need for your mental health. Both routine and urgent Doctor appointments are available. There is a charge for appointments. This service is intended as an addition to the students' own family doctor/GP or specialist medical services. Students should continue to attend their own GP where possible, especially if Dublin based.
  • Psychiatry service - UCD students can be referred to the Psychiatrist at Student Health by a UCD GP, external GP, external Psychiatrist, or UCD Student Counselling. There is a charge for appointments. 
  • Addiction Counsellor - This is a free service for UCD students who want to discuss parental, peer or personal addiction problems in confidence.

Togetherall

(opens in a new window)Togetherall is a safe, anonymous, online community for mental health support which is now FREE to all UCD students.

Student Advisers

Student Advisers are available to discuss any academic, social, personal or financial issues you may have during your course. Every academic programme in UCD has a dedicated Student Adviser who offers students time and space to explore issues of concern to them. and there are additional advisers for International and Mature Students. Student Advisers can assist you in finding pathways to deal with issues and can advise of appropriate UCD policies, procedures and services. 

If your mental health difficulty is impacting on your ability to meet the requirements of your programme, you should contact your Student Adviser to discuss your options, which may include applying for Extenuating Circumstances.

ALL Student Supports Brightspace Module

UCD Access and Lifelong Learning host a range of resources on the Brightspace module called ‘ALL Student Supports’. This module is available to all UCD Students, and includes a number of webinars on mental health topics such as self-care, stress management, and managing anxiety and panic attacks. To enrol in the module follow the following instructions:  Log in to Brightspace, click "Explore" and search for "All student supports” in the search bar. Click on the module - ALL Student Supports: University for All and click - enroll. 

A series of live AcAcademic Skillsademic and Wellbeing workshops are also run throughout the academic year. These may be hosted on Brightspace and/or in-person, depending on circumstances.

Mental Health Apps

In addition to Silvercloud being available to all UCD Students, there are many good mental health apps available. A selection of Apps can be found PDF: Mental Health Apps for Young People

Bodywhys

Bodywhys are launching a new support service especially for students.This new student support group (19+) is a space to avail of mutual support and share personal experiences that may be unique to students during the transition to third level and university/college life.This group takes place on a monthly basis, the first group will meet on Monday 17th of October at 7.30pm. You can opt in to the group in the registration process, by signing up at: (opens in a new window)https://connect1.bodywhys.ie/login. If you are already a member, you can find the option to opt in within your account settings. 

UCD Books on Prescription

UCD Student Health Service and the UCD Library Service have put together a (opens in a new window)collection of books on a wide range of topics around personal health and well-being. Whether you’re interested in managing stress and learning some new relaxation techniques, or having more difficult mental health issues,there are books here that can help. Visit the Collection on Level 1 of the James Joyce Library and the ground floor of the Health Sciences Library.

 "Sort Your Life Out and Thrive" Module

This is a 10-week module open to any UCD student who is interested in self-reflection and personal development. The aim is to develop knowledge and skills to support your wellbeing. More information is available here. 

"Mindfulness for Health" Module

This module introduces students to the concept and practice of mindfulness in the context of personal and professional care. Students will understand the evidence for mindfulness based interventions in the reduction of stress and burnout. Students will be guided in the cultivation and establishment of a personal mindfulness practice.  More information is available here.

" Wellbeing and Work" Module

This module will emphasise the individual’s wellbeing as a starting point for organisational and societal wellbeing using practices which can help build resilience and strengthen personal resources to manage and respond to challenges as experienced in everyday life, including the work setting, in a more skilful way. More information is available here.

Information on supports and services external to UCD, including crisis supports, can be found on the (opens in a new window)HSE Your Mental Health website.