Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) announced the launch of the Jack Shannon Bursary today. The bursary endeavours to honour the memory of Trinity students who lost their lives to suicide. It also aims to encourage more open conversations about mental health in College for both students and staff.
The bursary was established by the TCDSU, the Senior Tutor’s office, and the Shannon family. It was named in honour of Jack Shannon, a first-year Trinity student who passed away by suicide in October 2020.
Funded by the Senior Tutor, €300 will be rewarded to a part of the College community that promotes positive student mental health. It will run from this year to at least 2032.
The 2022 recipient of the bursary will be awarded to Niteline, a listening, support and information service run by and for the students of Trinity and other Irish colleges.
According to the selection criteria, NiteLine were selected for the bursary this year due to their ability to recognise an issue and to take steps to reach out. They also engaged proactively with students in need, made a significant positive difference for students at a personal level, and helped someone “feel that they mattered”.
Last semester, NiteLine spent 305 hours supporting students over the phone and by instant messages, engaging in 905 conversations with students.
TCDSU said NiteLine “exemplifies effective peer to peer support and are deserving winners of the Jack Shannon Bursary.”