Colleges are focusing on student wellbeing as the new academic year begins. Ali Bracken reports
As September draws to a close, thousands of students in Ireland are settling back into college life, while thousands more are embarking on their first year of studies at third-level institutes throughout the country. Vital to students' academic success is how they settle into the new role of college student and, consequently, the maintenance of their physical and psychological wellbeing.
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has recently appointed a health promotion officer to work specifically in this area.
Dr David Thomas, director of TCD's health service, says that at this time of year common problems that present themselves can be first-years experiencing difficulty adjusting to their new lives as students - many will have been enjoying Freshers' week, over-indulging in alcohol.
"Certainly, we will see the lonely student at this time of year," he says. Although the number of women seeking pregnancy tests has decreased significantly, says Thomas, demand from women requesting emergency contraceptives - the morning-after pill - has increased significantly.
The medical centre at the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), which also serves Maritime College, Crawford School of Art and the School of Music in Cork, also says it gets many sex-related health inquiries. Regarding alcohol-related problems, nurse Geraldine Hallissey, who works at CIT's medical centre, says that they see more students on Fridays than any other day.
"Student night is on a Thursday, so we see plenty of alcohol-related injuries and upset tummies on Fridays."
She adds that students can generally be seen the same day they make an appointment at the medical centre.
Dermot Ahern, head of counselling at the University of Limerick (UL), says students are much more inclined to seek counselling nowadays, a positive development. However, he says the range of mental health problems now being presented is quite diverse.
"We see people with severe psychological disorders and sometimes people who are schizophrenic. The level of dysfunction can be quite shocking. We wonder how some of them are getting through third level at all."
Last April, the findings of Ireland's first large-scale survey examining the health of Irish students were published.
One of the survey's most significant recommendations was that Irish colleges should adapt individual health promotion strategies and, in particular, address mental health promotion.
A random sample taken from 100,000 undergraduate full-time students in 21 third-level colleges were surveyed during the 2002-03 academic year. The Clan (college lifestyle and attitudinal) survey, conducted by the Department of Health and Children, evaluated the college alcohol policy initiative and then widened to examine general lifestyle patterns of students.
"There is an overlap between mental health, sexual health and alcohol harm," according to one of the report's authors, Dr Ann Hope, "so we looked at students' coping skills in these three areas."
The Clan survey found that among female students who were sexually active, 42 per cent reported that they had used the morning-after pill. TCD runs a sexual health clinic twice a week and students can make an appointment for a full STI (sexually transmitted infection) screen. TCD has also introduced "opportunistic screening" for chlamydia, says Thomas.
This means that whenever a student comes into contact with the health service, they are offered a chlamydia test. "The results," he says, "have been that 4-6 per cent of people with no symptoms have tested positive."
Another of the survey's recommendations was that colleges should seek to address sexual health needs by developing links with service providers for STI screening.
UL also operates a sexual health clinic within its medical centre and offers STI screening. So too does CIT - once a week, a specialist doctor comes to the medical centre to carry out STI screening.
The Clan survey found that students usually consumed alcohol for sociability, enjoyment and relaxation. However, one in 10 students used alcohol to forget worries and one in 20 used alcohol when depressed or anxious.
"Also," says Hope, "high risk or binge drinkers are twice as likely to miss college and three times more likely to have unprotected sex."
According to Thomas, there is one important medical issue all students should be aware of right now: the Government will make available the MMR vaccine "to all students under 25 who only got the first vaccine or who got no vaccine at all".
USI's health tips for freshers
Healthy mind: Starting in college is a huge transition - it can be quite stressful getting used to the new environment. Remember to take time out to relax.
New friends: Starting college is a great opportunity to meet new people - join some clubs and societies and you'll find yourself making new friends.
Plan your studies: Learning in college is very different to learning in second level, and some students may have difficulty adjusting. A study plan can help you avoid getting stressed and make learning more manageable.
Healthy body: Remember a healthy body leads to a healthy mind - take advantage of the opportunities for you to exercise regularly and try out new sports in college or get better at ones you already play.
Healthy diet: Most colleges have their own canteen or restaurants - these usually serve low-cost healthy meals - use these to eat healthily and avoid fast foods.
Alcohol: There are many opportunities to socialise in college and, while it's great to go out and have fun, remember if you are drinking to drink responsibly.
Safety: You may find yourself living away from home or just going out in a city for the first time. Watch out for your own safety and for your friends, especially if you are on a night out.