DSS --Background
DSS Supporting students with mental health
difficulties for past 15 years- Many lessons
learned over the years and many studies
undertaken
Massive growth in numbers over last 5
years- currently supporting over 1,000
students with varying disabilities
throughout the student journey
Holistic Approach- promoting Independent
Learning, Wellbeing, Success &
Employability
Range of Reasonble Accommodations
developed to facilitate participation of
students with MHD
UCC - Context
Key Challenges presented by the 185 Students
with MHD registered with DSS
Impact of medication on participation in college
Inability to plan, organize and manage self
during academic year
Financial Concerns
Relationship issues, Feelings of
Isolation/loneliness
Academic Challenges- Academic Writing
Skills/ Study Skills
Placement issues
Common Mental Health
Conditions
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Eating Disorders
Low mood
Addiction disorders
Comorbidity with other disabilities
Common underlying feature is poor executive functioning skills
Examples of Executive
Functioning Difficulties
Attention
Concentration
Organization
Time management
Memory
Planning
Top Issues presented by
students
Difficulties contacting lecturers
Financial Concerns
Inability to plan, organize and manage self during academic year
Applying for mitigation when missed exams
Finding out about extensions
Requesting tutoring
Large amount of students just need someone to listen to them and take an
interest in their circumstances.
Counselling
and
Development
Disability
Support
Services
Student
Health
- Doctors
- Psychiatry
SU Welfare
Officer
Policies
Student
Peer
Support
- Uplift
- Fitness to
study
- M.H.
Policy
Student
Wellbeing
Officer
OT
L.I.F.E.
Programme
College Wide Supports for Students with
M.H. Difficulties but most working in silos
Policies developed
Mental Health Policy
http://www.ucc.ie/en/media/support/studentcounsellinganddevel
opment/Student-Mental-Health-Policy-Full-Book-1apr.pdf
FTP
http://www.ucc.ie/en/media/support/academicsecretariat/ftp/V6F
TPPolicy.pdf
Fitness to Study
http://www.ucc.ie/en/media/support/academicsecretariat/
fts/FTS_V1.0_AC_June_2014.pdf
Mental Health Away Day- Discussion
UCC Strategic Plan says!!!-- “ We aim to deliver a world class
Student Experience” Are we meeting that standard for our students?
What about the experience of students with MHD?
Student Experience Strategic Plan states “Our approach is a holistic
one with the personal and professional development of our students
throughout the student journey at its core” Are we meeting that
Goal?
Conclusion!!! Great services but our message is lost as we are
disjointed/ fragmented across college- operating in silos!!
Need a coordinated, proactive, preventative, student orientated
approach to promote mental wellbeing amongst our students
Cross Campus Engagement
Disability
Advisor for
MHD &
Occupational
Therapist
Academic &
Administrative
staff of the
University
Student
Counselling &
Development
Staff
Student
Wellbeing Co
Ordinator
Student Health
Service Staff
SU Welfare
Officer
Proactive Approach- Supporting Student Mental
Wellbeing with a Get Healthy / Get Active message
Clear Student
Friendly
message at
Orientation
Use of Social
media to get
message across
Students as
ambassadors of
Change- 300–
peer supporters
to relay the
message
Stress Buster
sessions
Get Active, Get
healthy
message
Conclusion- Moving from Reactive
to Proactive/ Preventative Model
Aiming to improve student wellbeing and
promote positive mental health strategies for
better study/life balance amongst all students