€5 million in mental health supports announced for third level students

MINISTER for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has announced €5 million in mental health support for students. 

The funding is an important investment in the wellbeing and support of students across the country.

Across the Midwest, €289,626 has been awarded to the University of Limerick, while the Technological University of the Shannon received €292,561 in funding and Mary Immaculate College received €124,888.

Speaking on Monday, Minister Harris said: “We know this generation are facing mental health challenges like no other.  

"The pressure our young people are facing requires important interventions at the right stage of their lives, that is why we have provided €20.9 million to higher education institutions since 2020. 

"Crucially, this has allowed universities recruit additional student counsellors and assistant psychologists. 77 were hired last year alone. The funding this year will embed these services in our college campuses."

The funding has been allocated to universities to address the needs of their student population. It can be used to engage a range of important staff in this domain, such as clinical case managers, heads of service, mental health officers, framework implementation managers, admin staff, mental health nurses or GPs.

Minister Harris added; "This will also help us roll out national projects including a 24/7 peer service, the establishment of a national office for the Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland and a new data building service to establish a research network of researchers in the area of suicide and self-harm. I know this funding will make a real difference to college-goers across the country."