Tag: Mental health

  • John Wilds: “In the space of 10 months I found my sister and mother dead because of suicide”

    John Wilds: “In the space of 10 months I found my sister and mother dead because of suicide”

     

    Picture Credit: Mart Productions at pexels.com 

    By Oisin McNevin 

    “In the space of 10 months I found my sister and mother dead because of suicide”: a life full of pain and trauma, but now one of hope. 

    John Wilds is a 50-year-old man from Cherrywood in the South Dublin – his life has been filled with unimaginable pain.

    Childhood was not a happy and stable one for young Wilds; his family was full of addiction, and the area was full of crime in the flats of Monkstown. 

    “I would describe it as a mini Ballymun full of drugs and crime,” he said.

    Wilds explained that it was in his teens where he first started experimenting with drugs himself: “I was a drug addict at 16; it started off with hash, then heroin.”

    “My Dad threw me out of the house when he found out, I was then homeless for years… I had no relationship with him growing up, he was an alcoholic and my mother, and two sisters were drug addicts.”

    “I would attend raves and would be on ecstasy, when we were all on it we all loved each other,” he said.

    “It was after the ecstasy that I first encountered the brown. It was in tinfoil and people around me were taking it to deal with the comedown of the ecstasy, I thought it was great and that was the problem – [that’s] why I say, one decision will change your life.”

    “I would then get clean for 14 years after going to rehab”. 

    Away from the drugs, Wilds was also subjected to physical abuse: “I got the biggest beating of my life, for no reason at all. I was battered and now have a titanium plate in my head and now paralysed in my face, I have screws in my leg… I am also unable to work due to the disability.”

    “In this area you can’t go to the Guards as you will be labelled a rat, and I was terrified that I would get my house attacked.”

    It was nine years ago however where he encountered another traumatic experience: “In the space of 10 months I had found both my sister and mother dead because of suicide, I also broke up with my partner and went back on heroin to cope.”

    “I was suicidal, however, I knew that would be disrespectful to my mother and my sister if I had done that,” he said.

    It was after all that trauma that he first encountered Men’s Shed, a major turning point for him. Men’s shed is for men usually in their sixties or seventies  who have had their difficulties with mental health. However this mens shed in Cherrywood of which John is a part of has men of all ages, one of them being in his 20s. The men in a shed would sit down and have a chat with a cup of tea, some may play pool or darts. It is a way of keeping them connected and a sense of belonging and acceptance regarding their feelings.

    “I saw Mark (Men’s Shed employee in Cherrywood) recently after finding my mother and sister dead, and as soon as I stepped foot in here a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders,” he said.

    “It gave me the strength to go to rehab as I have two children, my son is 24 and my daughter is 19. They are the ones that get me up in the morning, along with this place. I got clean for them.”

    He’s taking it one day at a time, and has been clean for nearly a decade.

    “Do I get cravings when I get down… I always speak with my psychologist – I never say that I’ll never take drugs again, because that would make it more difficult for me, I will say to myself I will not take drugs today.”

     Today John lives at peace. “My week consists of me doing [Men’s Shed] Monday to Friday, sometimes I go to Howth, as I have my disability pass so I take the train. Spend time with my kids and relax in the evenings.”

    “That’s what makes me at peace.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Men’s Mental Health: The Hidden Strength of Talking

    Men’s Mental Health: The Hidden Strength of Talking

    Credit Kampus Productions at pexels.com 

    The long-lasting social stigma of mental health prompts the question, why do men suffer in silence? 

    Some men suffer due to childhood abuse, some struggle with day-to-day stresses such as work or college, while others suffer from domestic violence or even depression. 

    Domestic violence is a difficult situation to escape, as a lot of men still have a heteronormative, patriarchal view on relationships – a ‘toxic masculinity’ trait that drives a lot of men into  crisis, with some resorting to suicide from the shame. 

    Hypnotherapist Larry McMahon is based in County Kerry and has worked with many men, who have dealt with depression for many different reasons. On the topic of domestic violence against men he said, “Domestic abusers are bullies and can sense a person’s vulnerability when meeting them – that happens a lot – and the person on the receiving end of the abuse is used to feeling picked on. My job is to give them the strength to stand up for themselves”.  

    There are many supports out there for men going through difficulties.

    Men’s Aid is dedicated to helping men get out of, or deal with, the trauma that they experienced at the hands of a partner. 

    Men’s Shed is another support network targeted at assisting men with their mental health battles, typically men in their fifties or sixties. 

    Ben Dolan, who works for Men’s Shed, recalls how the programme got started.  “It started in Australia 30 years ago, it was originally women that were going in to talk about their problems but some of the husbands of these women would drop them off to this meeting, and one day they invited the men in too,” said Dolan.  

    Rebecca McLaughlin, who also works for Men’s Shed, said:”The men that we deal with are men who came from a generation that believed talking about your feelings was not considered manly, and that you had to put up a front, or in other words mask your feelings”. 

    She continued: “Although, when you get them talking it’s hard to get them to stop.”

    Many Men’s Sheds are themed, offering spaces for men with struggles in common to understand themselves and help others.

    “There are many types of sheds, for example there is a car shed where men who struggle with their mental health can also share their love for automobiles, which gives them a sense of belonging and a sense of community,” said Dolan. 

    “Some of the men we deal with even have troubled pasts; for example, we’ve had ex-prisoners that have come into the sheds and are very open about their problems.

    “There is a real sense of brotherhood in the shed, where these men are shoulder to shoulder with each other, and are there to support each other through their problems.”

    McLaughlin and Dolan are both very passionate about breaking the stigma of men’s mental health, and feel that Irish society is in a better place than 20 years ago. They have plans to widen their programmes to universities for men going through many different challenges such as, assignments, maybe they have problems at home, grades in college. Their part time jobs may be stressful.

    McLaughlin said, “We are in the process of making a shed dedicated to male university students to talk about their feelings, for students going through exams, assignments and transitioning from school to university, these can be challenging so that is definitely in the works.”

    She added: “Most men who are going through a mental health crisis, know the supports are there, but they have that feeling that there is no need to use the supports.” 

     

     

  • “The day you look in the mirror and don’t see a waste of space is the most beautiful feeling” 

    “The day you look in the mirror and don’t see a waste of space is the most beautiful feeling” 

    As the world marked Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd a gap in autism diagnoses for women remains an issue. 

    by Rebecca Reilly 

    Despite being discovered in the 1940s, a severe gulf remains in the diagnosis of autism in women and girls. According to research women are far more likely to be misdiagnosed with other mental health conditions, and this is largely rooted in autism research. 

    “Diagnostic tools were largely developed and validated in predominantly male samples, so they are more sensitive to “male‑typical” autism presentations,” says Dr Sarah Kittel‑Schneider, Professor of Psychiatry at Friedrich‑Alexander‑Universität Erlangen‑Nürnberg. 

    Photo credit: pexels.com 

    Generally indicated by continuing difficulties in social communication and interaction and restrictive or repetitive behavioural patterns, interests or sensory experiences, autism is a spectrum and traits vary. 

    “Autistic traits often look different in women,” explains Dr. Kittel-Schneider, who is also Clinical Director at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital Erlangen. 

    “Girls and women may have intense but socially acceptable interests like celebrities, animals, and books, rather than “unusual” ones that trigger suspicion of autism […] Many autistic girls learn early to observe, copy and “script” social behaviour, so teachers and even clinicians see a shy, anxious, conscientious girl rather than someone struggling to understand the social world.” 

    This ability to mask often results in autistic women being misdiagnosed with a range of other mental health conditions.  

    “Autistic women are very often misdiagnosed with […] anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder,” says Lisa O’ Neill, a master’s student specialising in autism research. 

    Lisa received her own autism diagnosis in her mid-forties. 

    “When you grow up feeling different but don’t understand why, and you’re constantly trying to adapt to a world that doesn’t quite make sense to you, that can be incredibly damaging over time. There can be chronic stress, burnout, sensory overwhelm, and a deep sense of not belonging. It’s no surprise that anxiety and depression develop in that context.”

    Photo credit: pexels.com 

    Lisa explains that professionals tend to focus on what’s visible and autism often gets missed. 

    “Many of us became very good at hiding or “masking” at a very young age […] to the world that looks like coping, but the reality is that it came with a huge cost to our mental health.”  

    “For many women, diagnosis only comes later in life, after years and years of struggling with feeling different, being misunderstood, misinterpreted and ultimately burnt-out with life. When a diagnosis does finally come it can bring such a profound re-understanding of our entire lives. For me it was life changing.” 

    “General anxiety disorder, manic depressive disorder, borderline personality disorder, issues with food control – these were some of the diagnoses I was given,” said Tara Walsh from Galway, who was diagnosed with autism at 38. 

    After starting a job as a technician Tara was in the midst of a breakdown without realising.  

    “I now know I feel sound like electricity in my body and have sensory processing disorder. The noise of the machines, wearing safety equipment and masks – it was over stimulating me to breaking point. I used to fantasize about shoving my hand into the grinder to stop the electricity. That job probably saved my life.”

    Photo credit: pexels.com 

    With two suicide attempts in her 20s, Tara had been dealing with anxiety and depression since she was 10.  

    “I used to self-harm and that provided temporary relief,” she explained.  

    But her situation came to a head one Monday evening and a conversation with her mother that finally shed some light on her neurodivergence.   

    “I was sitting on my laptop and felt this huge weight on me. I gripped the laptop so tight I bent the frame. I couldn’t move because I would have went to the medicine cabinet to do damage. I was talking to mom after about my anxiety and told her something I used to do when I’d get overwhelmed in the pub,” she said.  

    “I would get pressure in my chest, pains in my arms and darts of electricity from my neck to my fingers. I’d go into a cubicle, strip and put my back against the tiles. The cold of the tiles would shock me enough so I could catch my breath. I thought it was anxiety. It was regulation.”  

    She took this, along with four foolscap pages of other regulation and masking mechanisms she had developed to her therapist, who recommended she seek a diagnosis.  

    “I now know I’m not broken or stupid. I have so much grief for my younger self because I was vicious to her. We as women need to advocate for ourselves, do our research and follow our gut. The day you look in the mirror and don’t see a waste of space is the most beautiful feeling.” 

    With the world of psychology and psychiatry developing further research into autistic women, there is an expectation that diagnoses will improve over time. 

    “I think one thing that’s really important, and often still overlooked, is the need to actually listen to what autistic people have to say,” said Lisa O’ Neill.  

    “Most of the understanding around autism has come from the outside looking in. But the people who truly know what it feels like to live it every day are autistic people. We’re not just part of the conversation; we should be at the centre of it.”  

  • When is it ‘too late’ to change your college course?

    When is it ‘too late’ to change your college course?

    A study conducted by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in 2024, found that 92% of college applicants who entered during the 2022/23 academic year progress into the third year of their course, and subsequently their final year as well.

    The study indicates that gender also plays a part in the statistics on who is more likely to remain in college throughout their programme.

    Those who identified as female aged 25-34, and those aged 35-44 years were the age ranges of students who maintained the highest college completion rates at 68% and 66%.

    Those who identified as male, however, had a lower percentage than their female counterparts. Male students aged 25-34 had a college completion rate of 60%, while the age group of 35-45 had one of 55%.

    The gap between gender in third-level education does play a role, whether we acknowledge it or not. This is especially prevalent in the older aged groups, with their rates of completing college being 5-10% lower than their younger counterparts.

    Age and gender do play a factor in college dropout rates, but so does those who aren’t as financially well off. The HEA did a study on the progression rates of students who receive the SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) Grant from 2012-2022.

    But what happens to the remaining 8% of students that either drop out of their chosen course, or change their course entirely?

    Scott McDonald was a third-year mechanical engineering student in TU Dublin before deciding to change from his heavily maths-based course to a new option, culinary arts. He became a first year again this September.

    “I realised I didn’t enjoy my degree anymore when I was struggling to get up in the morning for lectures and spending extra hours doing studying for topics I no longer understood,” said McDonald.

    “I was becoming a lot more unhappy and miserable in my course. I’m pretty sure you could see it in the way I did my assignments too. The biggest for me was I began to dread what my future might be someday, working in an industry I clearly didn’t enjoy anymore. I just didn’t want to continue being unhappy to force myself to finish a degree I began to hate.”

    According to the HEA report, degrees with the highest dropout rateswere in the services degrees, which include social care, at a high of 28%.

    This is followed by any engineering, manufacturing or construction degrees at a dropout rate of 20%.

    Scott continued: “When I switched to culinary arts, it was a completely different ball game. When I was in engineering, everything had to be so exact, to the T. But with my new course, I can be more creative and have more sense of freedom to explore things how I want in the kitchen. All my friends and family can see how much happier I am. I’m really glad I got over my fear and switched,” he said.

    Photo courtesy of Scott McDonald

    Students often feel pressure to continue with courses they decided to do when they’re 18 or 19, with parents often adding to the stress of students continuing courses they aren’t happy in.

    “My advice for others going through a similar thought process is that you’ll be much happier once you take that leap of faith. You’ll see how much happier you can be when you start focusing on yourself, and what you really want to do now. You have the time,” Scott said.

    Stories like Scott’s serve as a reminder to everyone pursuing degrees that no matter the year or age, that you aren’t limited on what you can do. But the most important being, there isn’t any shame on starting again.

  • Growing Men’s Mental Services in Agriculture 

    Growing Men’s Mental Services in Agriculture 

    By Molly O’Reilly  

    November is Men’s Health month which focuses on mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.  

    The purpose of this is to try and get men talking about their health. One of the initiatives for men’s mental health in November that has become a household name is “Movember”. This involves men growing moustaches to raise money for suicide prevention. 

    Despite the multiple efforts made to combat suicide it is unfortunately not uncommon in Ireland in men especially in the farming community. 

    In September 2023 the HSE released a report called “Dying to Farm: Developing a Suicide Prevention Intervention for Farmers in Ireland” 

    According to the report, over 20% of the farmers that were surveyed were considered at risk of suicide. 

    Photo Credits- Molly O’Reilly 

    The report also said 55.5% of farmers reported experiencing moderate to extremely severe depression, 44.1% of farmers reported experiencing moderate to extremely severe anxiety, and 37.9% of farmers reported experiencing moderate to extremely severe stress. 

    In addition to this there was multiple recommendations in the report to help combat mental health issues within the farming community in Ireland. 

    However, a year on, and the issue of mental health and suicide is still increasingly prominent in the Irish farming world.  

    However, Alice Doyle the now deputy president of the IFA and former Director of Mental Health Association, said information in these reports about mental health with farmers can often be inaccurate. 

    “You must be careful with the information provided. t’s an indicator (the statistics) but we should only see it as an indicator not as a definitive piece of information,” said Doyle. 

    Luke O’Reilly, a 61-year-old farmer from County Cavan who has lost extended family members to suicide, spoke about the importance of better mental health infrastructure for farmers. 

    “It can be very lonely in dark cold evenings in the winter, a lot of the time you are on your own with just your thoughts, which can be difficult for some. It’s important to speak up and get help,” he said. 

    O’Reilly recalled the era before the online streaming of marts, when you could go to the mart and get someone to check your blood pressure.  

    “It was great for socialising and for checking on older farmers that lived on their own and wouldn’t go to get checked,” said O’Reilly 

    The stigma surrounding mental health in Ireland can hinder people from asking for help. This can be seen in the agriculture industry as there tends to be a stereotype of farmers to fall into – to be strong, quiet and to simply get on with things.  

    The fact that the issues in work within agriculture are harder to walk away from as it becomes a lifestyle as well as a job makes it easier for people in agriculture to unfortunately experience mental health issues. 

    Photo credits- Molly O’Reilly 

    For instance, their hours are not structured and a problem arising can alter their career and income significantly.  

    The agricultural voluntary youth group Macra na Feirme also sent an email to its members for the month of November with the title “Rural Youth- Mind Our Men”  

    The purpose of the email is to reflect the importance of praising the work the men do within these communities and in the Macra group itself.  

    There was also a suggestion to organise events such as speakers to further reflect the importance of opening such conversations for men’s mental health and physical health. 

    “We encourage clubs and counties to consider the great role of many of the men in our organisation and we encourage you to celebrate their contributions during the month.” 

    IFA Deputy President Alice Doyle is originally from Carlow and now works with her husband on their farm in Wexford. She spoke about how important it is to have these conversations; 

    “They’re part of society (farmers) and they suffer from the same pressures that come from society as do and as anybody else. And then they have their own added pressures as well because of the sector that they belong to,” said Doyle. 

    Doyle explained how the services are there, but it is a matter of applying the services to those who need them. 

    “I had a girl who rang me to ask where she could find someone to speak to her dad, he is 70 years old and told her he felt a bit low,” she said. 

    An unfortunate reality of farm life is accidental deaths which can lead to mental health problems for surviving members of the family. Organisations such as “Embrace Farm” offer support for families grieving from accidental deaths. 

    “We think of the guy that’s driving the tractor but not necessarily the person who has been left behind,” said Doyle.  

    An initiative that has taken place to check the mental and physical health of farmers was a survey that was issued across 20 marts over Ireland. 

    Throughout the survey the farmers were asked questions about their well-being and then were followed up with support.  

    Doyle explained that there are services and infrastructure for farmers in Ireland, but the issue now is to make them accessible and enticing for farmers. 

    “Farmers like to talk to someone who understands their way of life is different to a nine to five job- they like to be able to talk to someone who understands farming.” 

  • Braywatch: Local Sea Swimmers Making Waves Along Ireland’s Coast

    Braywatch: Local Sea Swimmers Making Waves Along Ireland’s Coast

    By Jamie Ryan

    The City caught up with the ‘Bray Beach Bathers’, who are a group of men and women who all share a common love for swimming in the ocean, as they brave the cold water on a brisk, but beautiful October morning – which made for perfect swimming conditions. 

    In seaside towns across the country, sea swimming has become a rapidly rising phenomenon – but for many, it’s become much more than just a hobby – it’s become a way of life.  

    As part of their now daily routines, sea swimmers have formed several groups who come together for their daily dips into the Irish Sea all year round.  

    While every swimmer has their own respective reasons for being involved in taking part, one thing is for sure – no matter the weather, sea swimming is here to stay. 

  • How Communities are Tackling Loneliness in the Elderly

    How Communities are Tackling Loneliness in the Elderly

    By Paul Lee

    A recent study from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) in Ireland shows that about one-third of adults over 50 in the Republic of Ireland have experienced emotional loneliness at some point, with 7% feeling lonely often.  

    The research found that loneliness tends to decrease between the ages of 50 and 67 but rises again after that. 

    People over 75 are more likely to report feeling moderately lonely compared to younger groups. Factors like lower education, living alone, poor self-rated health, physical limitations, and chronic health conditions were linked to higher levels of loneliness. 

    Ireland is currently ranked number one in Europe for people suffering grom loneliness as of last year, with the coronavirus pandemic forcing generations to feel isolated.   

    Source: Institute of Public Health 

    Men above 65 years old saw a 25.1% increase in living alone, while women over 65 saw an 18.4% increase in the last six years. “The numbers are only going to continue rising,” said psychotherapist Maggie Molloy. 

    “I often deal with young people suffering from loneliness, so I know how bad it must be for the elderly who have far more reasons, most of which are out of their hands for feeling lonely.” 

    Last year The World Health Organization (WHO) declared loneliness to be a pressing global health threat, with the US surgeon general saying that its mortality effects are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 

    Anne Butler is a woman who knows the effects of loneliness all too well, inspiring her to commit her life to helping the most vulnerable in her community. 

    “Loneliness is a big issue for older people, and I don’t think the general public realises this enough,” said Mrs. Butler, who is the manager of Walkinstown Social Service Centre. 

    “It is dangerous to the elderly, we are social creatures that need to interact and get out of the house, but for some people that’s just impossible. It is heartbreaking because some of the faces around here were stuck in nightmare cycles of being upset, refusing to eat, or turning to drinking alcohol at home. It’s stories like these that make me so happy that we’re making an impact in the community and the bigger problem,” she says.  

    The centre takes in 60 people daily between lunch and dinner with some walking and others taking the centre’s bus that collects them from their houses. The centre charges €10 for transport, a meal, and bonus activities, whether that is a game of bingo, or a fitness instructor to get them exercising. 

    Members of the centre enjoying the warm summer 
    Source: Facebook – Walkinstown Social Service Centre 

    Group day trips around the country are organised and voted on. Special events happen year-round with ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ watch parties and even live shows with staff members performing dances. 

    “I’ve been coming for the last few years now and it’s just brilliant,” said Monica Walsh, age 72. 

    “I’m not great on my feet any more so going out wasn’t really possible unless I waited for my kids to come and bring me out somewhere. The centre is great because I get a sense of independence back, able to go out on my own. 

    “I feel like a kid again, going out with friends, singing songs. This place has given me some of the best moments I’ve had in years. All the staff are true heroes.” 

    The centre’s staff is made up of half full-time workers and half part-time voluntary workers from the local area such as Amanda Nic Fhannchaidh.  

    “I don’t work on Thursdays or Fridays, and I’d just be watching the Telly all day, so it’s really a no-brainer for me to come here, have a laugh, and feel good about myself for helping out where I can,” said Amanda.   

    Both local schools, the Assumption Secondary School Walkinstown and Drimnagh Castle Secondary School, have included helping out at the centre as a part of the transition year experience. 

    “It’s the right thing to do, so it’s what the lads will do. It gives the school a good name in the community and a chance for the boys to see how far a little help can go,” said Drimnagh Castle Secondary School principal John Haze. 

  • HSE Safer Nightlife Programme Promotes Safe Festival Culture at District X 

    HSE Safer Nightlife Programme Promotes Safe Festival Culture at District X 

    By Sadie Murray 

    The highly anticipated debut of District X Festival took place last weekend in Kildare, with HSE teams making headway amongst the crowd. 

    The festival is the result of a collaboration between popular venues District 8 and Index and is the first of its kind in Ireland. The organisers had a strong emphasis on harm reduction measures, working closely with the HSE to create a safer festival environment.  

    There were spaces throughout the festival provided by the HSE for harm reduction outreach teams and ‘back of house’ drug checking as part of their Safer Nightlife Programme.  

    The Safer Nightlife programme was launched by the HSE in 2022 in response to the evolving drug landscape in Ireland. This campaign involved the development of tailored resources, media awareness and an outreach drug service to support people at events, including four festivals over the summer of 2024.  

    The initiative has been successful in reaching festival goers. Karen O’Grady, from the HSE said, “Based on discussions at events this summer, we feel our message is reaching people, more and more people are reporting that they are aware of trends and are applying harm reduction measures like “start low, go slow.” 

    Photo Credits: http://www.drugs.ie/festivals  

    This is a key message from the HSE, to start low and go slow, meaning that if someone chooses to take drugs they should start with a small dose and pace themselves.  

    When the HSE’s festival campaign first began, there was a fear of Garda interference with the spaces. Karen O’Grady said:, “There is less fear of engaging with us now, people who come to the service see that it is not monitored and feel safe discussing use and surrendering drugs with us. 

    “We will continue to create awareness of drug trends and try to engage with more people to build trust,” said O’Grady.  

    Surrender bins were provided throughout the festival for people to submit drugs for analysis. The service relies on people surrendering drugs for harm reduction purposes- the more drug samples people provide, the more the HSE will know about what is in circulation. This process helps the HSE to issue alerts and spread awareness around particularly risky substances.  

    The ‘back of house’ approach means that the sample is destroyed upon analysis and the person will not be contacted directly with the results. If anything noteworthy is found, this information is broadcast on social media and on screens at events. 

    This HSE initiative was introduced following recommendations from the Government Emerging Drug Trends and Drug Checking Working Group, which examined nightlife environments including festivals.  

    The review identified these as risk-taking settings that can provide the HSE with more opportunity to engage with groups not typically presenting to traditional addiction services. 

    Photo by Sadie Murray 

    Karen O’Grady said:, “The overall aim of the programme is to engage with and support festival attendees in a non-judgemental way on the topic of substance use and related health issues that emerge in nightlife spaces. The programme is based on a harm reduction ethos to inform and support people to amend behaviours to help minimise harms caused by substance use.” 

    The development of a drug safety culture within festivals is crucial with an increasingly volatile drug market and substance abuse epidemic. 

    A recent report from The European Drug Report 2024 found that Ireland had the highest instance of drug deaths in the EU, with more than four times the average number of fatalities. The report showed that Ireland had 322 drug-related deaths in 2020 — 97 deaths per million people, compared to the EU average of 22.5. 

    The HSE’s core message is that it is safer not to use at all and that the drug market is currently very volatile. For those who do choose to use, it is advised that they stay up to date with drug trends and alerts on the HSE site and to follow harm reduction messages. 

    Photo from HSE’s Drugs.ie campaign 

  • Rory’s Stories talks mental health

    Rory O’ Connor, author of the bestselling book Rory’s Story, delivered a seminar on Monday aimed at tackling mental health stigma to TU Dublin students.

    Known as Rory’s Stories on social media, Mr O’Connor is a prominent advocate for mental health in Ireland today, serving as brand ambassador for the Construction Industry Federation.

    During his talk at Blanchardstown Campus, he shared details about his own struggles and experiences to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health awareness.

    “When I was a young fella my cousin took his own life completely out of the blue, had everything going for him from the outside world but obviously he didn’t feel that internally. 

    “This is why mental health and suicide prevention is so important and trying to find ways to combat it.

    Speaking about a particularly low point in his life, Mr O’Connor said “In 2013, I hit rock bottom. The club I adored playing for were knocked out of the championship, when we were favourites to win.

    “I took that to heart, the next day I went into Dublin and spent all day in the bookies and pubs, running away from my problems.

    “I put my last 200€ on a roulette table in a casino and lost it in minutes. I should have really said to my friends I was going to go off gambling, but that’s the thing with addiction, you never want to admit it.”

    Since then, Rory has built a career doing what he loves, producing comedic skits and performing stand-up routines, while doing more to improve his mental health.

    “I met with Gerry Cooney from the Rutland Centre, he told me how my addictive personality could be used on a positive platform like some of the most successful people in the world.

    “I made a Rory’s Stories Facebook account in 2014, where I started to do sketches of the GAA and these started to go viral very quickly. That’s where Rory’s Stories came from.”.

    “I can’t emphasise how important exercise is for your mental health, along with talking about the good days and bad days.”

  • How Online College Has Affected Students

    How Online College Has Affected Students

    woman writing on a notebook beside teacup and tablet computer
    Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom on Pexels.com

    Emily Goss Guildea

    Another year of online studies, a handful of in-person classes and the college “social life” still different from how it used to be. 

    Students around the country have been affected immensely due to their studies being taught online, taking away the constant in-classroom learning and the classes that are in person are now only permitted to 45-minute learning time, due to government regulations. So, how are students finding college this semester?

    An Instagram survey was set out to investigate whether students prefer college online or in-person and how the pandemic has affected their studies. One student from Technology University Dublin, who wishes to remain anonymous stated, “I used to be a very good student until online college and covid shattered my mental health,” they then went on to say that they were not receiving their money’s worth within their education. “My course needs a lot of communication from lecturers and that collapsed this year.”

    When asked on an Instagram poll conducted by a student from TUD whether or not students preferred online college or in person, 25% of students who took part in the poll voted for online and 75% voted for in person. This poll consisted of 99 students, and it is evident that the majority voted in favour of in person college. Following this question, students were asked if they believed that students should still pay full tuition fees although classes are still online, 96% of students voted “no”, and 4% voted “yes”. With “no” being the majority vote, it is clear that students feel they should not have to pay full tuition fees when their course is being held online. 110 students participated in this poll.

    Visual Merchandising and Display student from Technology University Dublin explained how the pandemic has affected her studies. “My first year of college was online, we were lucky enough to have one day on campus as it is a very hands-on practical course, but I feel like the online aspect made me somewhat lazy and less interested in my course.” When asked how she felt about this semester of college she explained that they have online and in-person classes, but the online classes are not for her. “I would much rather college to be completely in-person, I understand the severity of the pandemic, but I feel my course is at a loss as it is very practical and being in person is beneficial for our projects and hand-on learning.”

    Many students agreed that they shouldn’t have to pay full tuition fees due to college being partly online and not completely in person. Psychology student from IADT stated, “no we shouldn’t have to pay full fees, I’m only in person two days a week, with a class being cancelled nearly every week.” Other students explained how lecturers aren’t as attentive as they should be and that facilities being closed within colleges does affect their studies. From shorter opening library times, too little to no hands-on use of college equipment, students aren’t getting the full college experience. DCU Students Union Officer Ross Boyd stated, “students shouldn’t have to pay full fees full stop and should be purely government funded.”

    The Instagram survey concluded that students are not happy with how the pandemic has affected their studies, most students with the same response, that full fees should not have to be paid and the “college experience” not living up to expectation. Numerous students explained how their mental health has also been affected by this, and that they are less motivated to pursue their studies when classes are online.