The Student Health Unit (located upstairs in Áras na Mac Léinn) provides a confidential general practitioner service.

Most services provided by the Health Unit are FREE.

The Student Health Unit is OPEN and continues to operate in line with Public Health advice and guidance to reduce the risk of any potential COVID-19 virus transmission among our students and staff.

The Student Health Unit will continue to operate on a very strict ‘BY PRIOR APPOINTMENT ONLY’ basis to ensure that optimal infection prevention and control measures can always be maintained.

You can now arrange an appointment online by visiting their website here.

Prior to booking your appointment you will be required to complete a registration form. Information on the form will only be seen by Health Unit Staff to note your medical history.

For further information please click here: Health Unit

Health Unit

Getting Help

If you know anybody who you think might be contemplating suicide, the most important thing that you can do for them is tell them about he help that is available to them from Pieta House, the Health Unit, one of the counsellors, chaplains or the Students’ Union Welfare Officer.

Pieta House West
Bishop Street
Tuam, Galway
(093) 25586

Aware
Danesfield House
23 Sea Road,
Galway City
1800 80 48 48

Chaplains & Student Counsellors
Áras de Brún
Extension 2484
(091) 750377

Welfare & Equality Officer
Students’ Union, Áras na Mac Léinn.
Extension 2747
(086) 3853659

Student Health Unit
Áras na Mac Léinn
Extension 2604
(091) 750451
(087) 2623997 – emergencies after 5pm

The service provided by the above is free and is totally confidential.

We all feel down at time, that is normal, However, if the feeling is persisting for more than two weeks then maybe you need some support. It is possible you are suffering from depression. This common illness affects a huge number of young people. It affects your thoughts, feelings, physical health and behaviour day after day. As it is so common, extensive support services have been developed and are available for you when you need them. Using the services is not a sign of weakness.

Depression is not caused by any one factor. Some life conditions such as extreme stress or grief may act as a trigger. Sometimes depression can occur even when life is going well. Depression can affect anyone.

Depression can really take its toll on us. Some indicators may include:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Feeling sad, depressed
• Sleep
• Aggressive or negative behaviour
• Boredom
• Change of appetite
• Social withdrawal
• Slowness
• Low self-esteem
• Physical symptoms
• Suicidal
• Delusions

If several of these symptoms are present for two weeks or longer, you should consult your GP. If you think that you may suffer from depression then it is advisable to talk to someone as soon as possible. Talking to a trusted friend, parent, a doctor or medical professional or one of the below services will be a step in the right direction.

Aware Helpline
Locall 1890 303 302 (24 Hours)

Pleasetalk

Chaplains & Student Counsellors
Áras de Brún
Extension 2484
(091) 750377

Welfare & Equality Officer
Students’ Union, Áras na Mac Léinn.
Extension 2747
(086) 3853659

Student Health Unit
Áras na Mac Léinn
Extension 2604
(091) 750451
(087) 2623997 – emergencies after 5pm

The service provided by the above is free and is totally confidential.

No matter what precaution are taken, sex is never totally safe. Condoms can slip or tear and some Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like genital warts can be passed no from skin to skin contact. Upto 75% of unplanned pregnancies result from contraceptive failure, mainly condoms. However, chances of pregnancy or getting an STI plummet when simple precautions are taken.

Condoms are available for Free from the Students’ Union office all year round. We are located upstairs in Áras na MacLéinn and open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm during term-time.

If you are sexually active you should have regular sexual health checks. You can make an appointment through your GP, the Student Health Unit or at a GUM (Genito-Urinary Medicine) clinic.

Every time that you have heterosexual sex you could become pregnant (or in the case of a man, you may impregnate someone). Should this happen, support is available for both men and women. If the due date of your period has passed, it is only then that you should do a test. The reason for this is if you do the test before your due date there’s a chance that you may get a positive result even if you are not pregnant as the hormone which is tested will be quite high before your period. You can have a test done in the Students Health Unit. Should you miss a lab etc. due to morning sickness you can get a letter from the Health Unit and give it to the secretary of the Department. The SU Welfare and Equality officer has free pregnancy tests available in their office.

The Positive Options campaign is run by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency which aims to make more women of all ages aware of the help that is available to them should they have an unplanned pregnancy. The campaign does not pass judgement or push values onto people. It is concerned with the provision of accurate and non-directive information about the options available. Many agencies also provide support for men involved in an unplanned pregnancy. Free Text “List” to 50444 or visit positiveoptions.ie for more information.

The following services are there to help you or a friend if needed:

My Options

Welfare & Equality Officer
Students’ Union, Áras na Mac Léinn.
Extension 2747
(086) 3853659

Student Health Unit
Áras na Mac Léinn
Extension 2604
(091) 750451
(087) 2623997 – emergencies after 5pm

The service provided by the above is free and is totally confidential.

There are a variety of methods of contraception available including barrier methods, hormonal methods and natural methods but there is no method of contraception that is 100% effective so make sure that you don’t increase the risk further by incorrect use.

Some methods are much more reliable than others. Some contraceptives have side effects which depend on the person. No matter what the method you chose you need to see a GP to ensure it is right for you.

Condom are available for Free from the Students’ Union office all year round. The Students’ Union office is located in Áras na MacLéinn and we are open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm during term time.

In emergencies the morning after pill is available from the Student Health Unit. this should be taken within 72 hours of having sex, i.e. the sooner it’s taken, the more effective it is.

A woman can still get pregnant

• If a man pulls out “in time”
• During her period
• If it’s her first time
• At any time in her menstrual cycle
• In every position
• If she washes the inside of her vagina after sex

You can learn more about contraception at Think Contraception

Many people worry about the prospects of an unplanned pregnancy but may neglect to consider the real possibility of getting an infection. It’s hugely important to protect against STI’s and this can only be done with the use of a condom (either male or female) for all intimate sexual contact. Any sexual contact (anal, oral, digital) can transmit an STI so being a virgin does not mean you don’t have or can’t get an STI. Urinating after sex can help prevent urinary tract infections, which condoms do not prevent. There are 25 different types of Sexually Transmitted Infections, which include chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhoea and pubic lice (which can be passed even when a condom is used). Many people with STI’s do not display symptoms. It is likely that you won’t even know you have one and yet it can have long term complications such as infertility and cancer. You can also pass it on despite having no symptoms.

The symptoms which may or may not accompany STIs include:

• Abnormal discharge
• Irregulars periods/staining
• Pain on passing urine
• Lower Abdominal Pain
• An ulcer or wart on your genital skin
• Pain during intercourse

Condoms are available for Free from the Students’ Union office all year round. We are located upstairs in Áras na MacLéinn and open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm during term-time.

STI Testing

There is a walk in service at the Galway University Hospital Infectious Disease Clinic opening hours can be found here.

You have rights in the bedroom.. or wherever you find yourself! These include the right to

• accurate information about sexuality, contraception and sexually transmitted infections.
• say no to an unwanted touch of any kind
• stop being physical or sexual with a partner at any point
• make decisions about sexuality, in your own time
• express your sexuality safely
• not be pressured into being physical or sexual
• wear and do what you like without being sexually assaulted
• not express your sexuality unless you want to.
• feel safe in a physical or sexual relationship
• feel comfortable with your actions and those of others towards you.
• enjoy sex just for the pleasure of it
• be treated as an equal sexual partner
• be treated with dignity and respect at all times
• express your desires, needs and concerns – and be listened to
• be the one to initiate sex
• choose your sexual partner, whether they are the same or the opposite sex
• be treated by health care workers in a respectful, caring and sensitive way
• contraception

The experience of being LGBTQA+ on campus depends on the person themselves; it depends on how open they are and how comfortable they are with their sexuality or gender. The atmosphere in college can play a large part too. Some LGBTQA+ students find that “coming out” in their particular situation would be unnecessary hassle and possibly even dangerous. This does not however infer that the person is ashamed of being LGBTQA+. You should come out because YOU want to, not because someone else thinks you should.

BródSoc is University of Galway’s LGBTQA+ society, which provides a safe place for LGBTQA+ students to come and meet and to socialise in a fun atmosphere. The society also runs educational events throughout the year. The society can prove to be a source of support, understanding and friendship for LGBTQA+ students.

Student’s can find a list of the locations of Gender Neutral toilets here

For any students who are Gender Transitioning you can find information on how to change your name here. 

Students can also find the Gender Identity and Gender Expression policy for the University here.

If you encounter any kind of discrimination and harassment, whether it is spoken or unspoken, physical or sexual, from anyone in college, students or staff you do not have to stand for it. You can contact the Students’ Union Welfare & Equality Officer, who are in place to make sure there is no bullying or discrimination on campus.

Useful contacts:

Students’ Union Welfare & Equality Officer (091) 524810 extn 2747
Welfare Officer Union of Students in Ireland LGBT Rights Officer (01) 7099300
BródSoc ( gigsoc@socs.nuigalway.ie)
TENI info@teni.ie 085 1477166, www.teni.ie (Transgender Equality Network)
AMACH!LGBT. 
LGBT Ireland

Any sexual act without consent constitutes rape or sexual assault. Both parties must be sure that they have the full consent of the other(s). If a person is ‘out of it’ on alcohol or another substance, legally they cannot be considered to have given consent. Dancing, dating or going home with someone does not change any of this. Both Men and Women can be raped or sexually assaulted. Rape or sexual assault is usually committed by someone the victim knows and in a familiar location. Each individual always has the right to choose with whom they will or will not have sexual relations, or the extent and nature of the sexual relations.

The most common rape drug in Ireland is alcohol. Don’t leave your drink unattended. Always be careful not to get drunk in the presence of someone you don’t fully trust and do not accept drink off them. Remember personal alarms are available from the Students’ Union Shop.
Acts of rape and sexual assault are never the victim’s fault.
Sometimes the victim may be too embarassed or humiliated to talk about their experience. This can be a difficult burden to carry alone.

The Galway Rape Crisis Centre offers support to both men and women. They offer support in reporting to the Gardaí if required. The centre offers counselling for people who have experienced rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment. The Rape Crisis Centre also offers counselling to adult victims of Child Sexual Abuse.

The Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) in Galway is a service available for people who have experienced rape or sexual assault. You can find more information in relation to SATU HERE or alternatively you can telephone their office in Galway at 091-765751 (Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:30).