Mental Health

In our quest for physical health, it's easy to overlook the importance of emotional health - and its effect on our body. The fact that Irish men between the ages of 15 and 34 are more likely to commit suicide than be killed in a car crash demonstrates the need for our mental health to be addressed.

If you feel you suffer from mental illness, or are just feeling low, then the useful contacts in the depression column following should be consulted.

Depression

What is Depression?

Depression is a condition that can take many forms. We all may experience short-lived feelings of sadness in response to disappointments in everyday life. Depression as an illness is more severe and not short lived. It may be associated with negative thoughts such as suicidal ideas, which require urgent treatment. Depressive illnesses affect 7% of the population, and 1 in 13 students.

What Causes Depression?

Depression is frequently preceded by setbacks in life, such as bereavement, relationship, or financial difficulties, problems at work or medical illness. An inherited tendency towards depression is also a major factor.

How to Recognise Depression

If 5 or more of the following symptoms are present for more than 2 weeks, it is probably a depressive episode:

• Feeling – depressed, sad, anxious or bored
• Energy – tired, fatigued, everything in effort, slowed movements
• Sleep – waking during the night or too early in the morning, oversleeping or trouble getting to sleep
• Thinking – slow thinking, poor concentration, forgetful or indecisive
• Interest – loss of interest in food, work, sex and life seems dull
• Value – reduced sense of self-worth, low self-esteem or guilt
• Aches – headaches, chest or other pains or palpation’s without a physical basis
• Live – not wanting to live, suicidal thoughts or thinking of death

UCD Counselling Service

Information on this free service is available under the "counselling service" tab.

Support Group Meetings

Aware a voluntary organisation formed too assist people directly affected by depression, holds free weekly meetings at some 60 locations throughout the country, to provide information and emotional support to people, so they may learn the skills to overcome depression, and prevent relapses. Contact “Aware” or Rachel, the Welfare Office for details on the day & location of these meetings.

Seeking Help!

Rachel your Welfare Officer is there to help with any problems you may encounter in UCD.

Email her on welfare@ucdsu.ie, or ring 01-7163112.

Aware

72 lower lesson st

01-6617211

Helpline: 1890 303 302

www.aware.ie

Samaritans

112 Marlborought St

01-8727700

Helpline: 1850 60 90 90

jo@sameritans.ie

www.samaritans.ie