University of Galway Students’ Union Mental Health Week
Seachtain na Meabhairshláinte Comhaltas na Mac Léinn Ollscoil na Gaillimhe
All events are FREE!
Monday 9th October | Dé Luain an 9 Deireadh Fómhair
- 11am-3pm Feel Good Fair in Áras na Mac Léinn. Call down to meet some of the Irish Guide Dogs, get freebies from HSE Sexual Wellbeing and meet Jigsaw. There’ll also be information and chats with Active* Consent, Student Counselling, the Chaplaincy and of course your Students’ Union will be there with more freebies!
- 7pm Speed Friending in the Corrib Room at Sult. Make new friends and have the craic! Free tickets HERE.
Tuesday 10th October | Dé Máirt an 10 Deireadh Fómhair
- 5pm-7pm CEAPAIM Planning for Semester 1 Success Student Workshop. Sign Up HERE.
- 6.30pm-7.30pm Jigsaw 5 A Day for Mental Health Online Workshop. Free online workshop to help you learn strategies to build + take care of your mental health. Book HERE.
Wednesday 11th October | Dé Céadaoin an 11 Deireadh Fómhair
- 10am-4pm INMO Stand in Áras Moyola. Meet representatives from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and find out how to join their Union.
- 5pm-6pm Financial Resilience Online Workshop. Financial resilience is the ability to cope with negative events that impact on our finances. It’s about feeling secure and in control, knowing that you can pay the bills, deal with the unexpected, and have achievable goals for the future. Book HERE.
Thursday 12th October |Déardaoin an 12 Deireadh Fómhair
- 11am-3pm Share The Load Exhibit in foyer of Áras na Mac Léinn. CONTENT WARNING SUICIDE. The installation comprises a display of 137 backpacks laid out, each representing a life lost to suicide in the college-going age group. It aims to highlight the issue of mental health and suicide amongst students and to highlight the supports that are available. In collaboration with 3ts – turn the tide.
Friday 13th October | Dé hAoine an 13 Deireadh Fómhair
- 9.30am-1pm safeTALK Training. safeTALK is a 3½ hour ‘suicide alertness’ programme that prepares participants (over the age of 18 yrs.) to identify and engage with persons who may be having thoughts of suicide. Participants learn how to provide practical help by using the steps of TALK (Tell, Ask, Listen and Keepsafe) and also gain information on the supports and resources available locally, regionally and nationally. More info + booking details HERE.
Details of available Mental Health Supports are here
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Students’ Union Launch Mental Health Week
University of Galway Students’ Union will be holding their Mental Health Week campaign Monday 9th-Friday 13th of October. The week of events will be looking at different aspects of student mental health and encouraging students to look for help if and when they need it.
The Share the Load exhibition will take place in Áras na Mac Léinn on Thursday to highlight the issue of mental health and suicide amongst students and to highlight the supports that are available. The installation comprises a display of 137 backpacks laid out, each representing a life lost to suicide in the college-going age group. On Monday the Feel Good Fair will have information stands from various groups promoting mental health wellbeing. Free training courses during the week will include safeTALK suicide awareness training and financial resilience training.
Students’ Union President Dean Kenny said: “Mental health is something that affects every single one of us in one way or another. We want to ensure our students know that there is no shame in reaching out, and there are services there to help you when you may be struggling. With our events like the Feel Good Fair and the Share the Load installation we hope to help break the stigma associated with mental health issues, and to encourage people to ask for help.”
Students’ Union Vice President/Welfare and Equality Officer Izzy Tiernan added: “Through our training events during the week we hope to empower our students to look after their mental health and also be in a position to reach out to help others. We will be highlighting the services available on and off campus to help students who are going through a tough time.”
