The Union for Students in Ireland (USI) have launched a new national student mental health campaign, to help students open up about their mental health and seek professional help when needed.
On Monday March 21, USI began the Open Up campaign, which aims to encourage students to talk more about their mental health with friends, family, teachers, as well as to mental health and medical professionals.
The campaign focuses on both the impact of Covid-19 on students’ wellbeing, and the challenges of society reopening.
Open Up seeks to normalise conversations about mental health amongst students, and counter many students’ dismissal and minimisation of their mental ill-health.
The USI Student Mental Health Report 2019 found that almost 35% of respondents who had not sought any help for their mental health reported having severe to extremely severe depression, and almost 40% of respondents who had not sought help had severe to extremely severe anxiety levels.
Launching Open Up yesterday at the Sugar Club, the USI will conduct a social media campaign, as well as a roadshow to colleges across Ireland.
Last month, following the death of a Trinity student, a petition was circulated calling for College to increase funding for welfare and mental health services. Over 2,000 people have signed the petition, as of March 18.
