Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021
75. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way the €3 million secured in 2020 to underpin well-being and mental health and student services in higher education institutions was spent; the way it was administered; and the services provided by this funding. [36509/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe mental health and wellbeing of our students is one of my priorities. In 2020 I secured additional funding of €3m to underpin wellbeing and mental health and student services in our higher education institutions (HEIs) which was in addition to the €2m funding allocated in Budget 2020.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) requested HEIs distribute this funding in support of specific student engagement, such as the recruitment of additional student counsellors, and implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework, which I launched last year. This Framework provides clear guidance to HEIs regarding implementation of good practices in responding to student mental health difficulties.
The HEA continually monitors the way the financial supports operate within the institutions. In institutional progress reports, institutions have reported that the funding has supported the recruitment of student counsellors, and has enabled support of additional roles, such as Assistant Psychologists and Mental Health Advisors.
Funding is also assisting with extending available hours of service and has supported agility within the HEIs in their collective responses to the challenges created by the ongoing pandemic among the student cohort. Increased capacity has created significant activity in outreach to students, including:
- online support groups (anxiety support, mood management);
- open, drop in groups to support connection/reduce isolation and loneliness;
- groups specifically targeting international students, 1st year students and postgraduates;
- workshops on resilience; managing fear/anxiety/uncertainty; grief and loss during the pandemic; motivation/staying engaged with college;
- increased responsiveness from counselling services, with many providing same day Wellbeing Calls or brief consultation calls, to respond to students quickly and provide "right time" care;
- delivery of institution wide staff training in identifying, responding to, and referring, distressed students.
The HEA is expecting receipt of detailed reports from the higher education institutions on their use of funds provided in 2020 later this month, and an update will be provided to my department thereafter.
