"Helping Students with the Personal & Emotional Challenges of HE and FE" Gertie Raftery Student Counsellor Dkit

Outline Outline Challenges facing your learners. Helping students meet these challenges. Recognizing the strengths of experience – “experience cannot be bought”. Exercise Recognising and responding to distress.

Challenges facing learners Multitude of roles - parent, earner, partner now adding the role of student Financial sacrifices Lone parent Scary – not making the grade Burnout – pre-existing time pressures Lonely – not fitting in

Reasons behind the late entry to Education Learning difficulties Adolescent difficulties Breakdown of the family of origin- death separation “Breaking the mould” – emotional legacy Financial pressure Dysfunction in the family of origin

Helping students meet these challenges Numbers accessing student counselling service 21% of those accessing the service last year.

Meeting the challenges Students who come in through the Access route into TCD were 3 times more likely to attend counselling than the general student population Looking Forward : Investigating Counselling and Support Needs of Non-Traditional Students in Irish 3 rd level Education, TCD Counselling Service 9In collaboration with AIT and UCC

Breakdown of problem areas Loss 40% Anxiety27% Abuse20% Self harm18% Self Identity 17% Relationships 16% Academic 14% Depression12% Addictive behaviours12% Physical health9% Other mental Health5% Welfare & Employment 4% Eating disorders3% Sexual issues3%

LOSS This figure includes 22 who were experiencing loss as a result of the separation of the client’s parents - an issue which continues to grow and is responsible for significant level of pain and distress- though there is I think limited knowledge of this impact among the general public22 also experienced loss as a result of bereavement. This figure includes 22 who were experiencing loss as a result of the separation of the client’s parents - an issue which continues to grow and is responsible for significant level of pain and distress- though there is I think limited knowledge of this impact among the general public22 also experienced loss as a result of bereavement.ANXIETY The levels for anxiety are showing a general level of increase nationally across student counselling services ABUSE The figures for abuse are made up mainly of those who have been victims of bullying – 20 an issue which has lasting effects on young people’s self – esteem and ability to cope.

ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOURS While on the face of it this figure seems to confirm the general perception of the prevalence of alcohol and drug issues amongst this age group over three quarters of this figure represents young people affected by their parents drinking While on the face of it this figure seems to confirm the general perception of the prevalence of alcohol and drug issues amongst this age group over three quarters of this figure represents young people affected by their parents drinking

Helping students meet these challenges Dedicated supports / integration? Varieties of supports to meet their special needs

Recognising and Responding to Distress Know the limits of your role – the importance of boundaries Confidentiality?? Handling disclosures. Tears are not necessarily a bad sign! Referrals

When to refer The problem requires specialist help –Depression/suicidal thoughts –Extreme stress anxiety panic –Unresolved grief –Alcoholism drug abuse –Serious medical/mental health problems –Eating disorders –Legal problems

When to refer You are unable to be genuine, honest, impartial You are worried the person might come to harm or get into deeper problems You are concerned about your own circumstances.

Suicide Risk. Signs of suicide risk and what to do Myths of suicide Tips for referring reluctant students

Questions. “Cruel to be kind” – realistic about demands and expectations. Unhealthy competitiveness.