Welfare Supports
![Welfare Support](/sites/default/files/styles/image_720/public/image-uploads/2024-07/welfare-support.jpg.webp?itok=jSJkOD_A)
Welfare is an umbrella term that’s all about your wellbeing. TU Dublin Students’ Union (SU) want to take a holistic approach to your time in university to make the experience as rewarding for you as possible.
There are seven dimensions to wellness:
- physical
- spiritual
- emotional
- environmental
- vocational
- intellectual
- physical
For more information, read The Seven Dimensions of Wellbeing.
The Welfare & Equality team run various campaigns throughout the year focusing on positive mental, sexual, and physical health, and there is also some really fun events which enhance your social and emotional wellbeing too.
TU Dublin Students Union (SU) is free, confidential and independent from the college, and once you are a student of TU Dublin, you are automatically a member of the Students’ Union.
What does the Welfare & Equality Team do to improve student wellbeing?
The VP for Welfare & Equality sits on many committees related to student welfare issues, such as sexual health, mental health and student wellbeing. Throughout the year, the Wefare & Equality team work on policies for students, such as Gender Expression, Consent policies and International Protection Applicants. This work is happening behind the scenes daily!
The Advice & Advocacy Service operates Monday-Friday, 9-5pm and is independent, confidential, and FREE. They can best advise students on any query about your time at university.
To contact the Advice and Advocacy team, you can email advice@tudublinsu.ie or get in touch with your VP for Welfare & Equality welfare.equality@tudublinsu.ie.
Mental Health
Mental Health is every bit as important as your physical health.
Anxiety is a growing concern among people of all ages and is becoming particularly prevalent in younger people. Occasionally being anxious is nothing to worry about, life can be stressful at times, but continual anxiety, if left untreated, can cause people to feel depressed, withdrawn and isolated. Read the helpful tips here for managing your mental health and feelings of anxiety but ALWAYS speak to a professional if you have concerns.
As a student in TU Dublin, you have free access to a student counselling service. It’s always better to check in before a problem gets too big. For more information, contact the Student Counselling Service.
There are also many external supports available that you can access:
- Pieta House by calling FREE on 1800 247 247 or texting ‘HELP’ to 51444
- The Samaritans by calling FREE 116 123
- Turn2Me offer peer to peer supports as well as providing free online counselling.
- TextAboutIt provides a crisis text line. Text ‘HELLO’ to 50808 to speak to trained professionals.
- LGBT Ireland’s National Helpline is 1800 929 539.
- Jigsaw provide ongoing support for young people aged 12-25
More information on mental health support nationally can be found on the HSE website.
!!MOST IMPORTANT!!
If you have any concerns for yourself or others around negative mental health DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE! Please reach out to someone listed above if you have nobody to talk to.
Physical Health
If your mental health is the 'engine' your physical health is the car!
All TU Dublin students can access the Student Health Centre on their campuses. You can make an appointment with the nurse for free and see a doctor if needed. Click for information on the Medical Health Centres in Tallaght, City and Blanchardstown.
Tips for Staying Healthy
- Make sure to stretch your legs! Most of us have increased time on the screens, be it for work, study or downtime. Try to take 5-10 minutes out of each hour you are online. Or, as per Irish Heart Foundation's guidelines, stand up and get active for 1 minute each hour.
- Snack right! Be snack aware. Make one change to what you normally graze on. Try nuts, seeds, fruit and veg. Health isn’t about weight, it’s about what’s going on inside.
- Get more active. Health officials recommend 30 minutes a day for five days or 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise. Start simple and do what you can and, more importantly, what you enjoy. If you don’t know where to start why not explore the different TU Dublin Societies has to offer.
- On yer Bike! - Think about swapping public transport for cycling. If you are working, many employers offer a “Bike to work” scheme, which can be used to purchase a bike and equipment. If not, you can find good offers on buy & sell sites on second-hand bikes*, and many local bike shops also offer this.
* Be cautious when buying 2nd hand bikes from people as they may be stolen. Read the Tips for purchasing a second hand bike.
For further information and advice on physical health, see the Physical Activity Guidelines on the HSE website.
Sexual Violence and Harassment
We know from the Sexual Experiences Survey that many third-level students experience some form of unwanted sexual advances, sexual assault or rape.
We also know that many people choose not to tell anyone for many different reasons. We also know that for many people, if and when they do tell someone, it can be a massive moment of relief.
If you experience any form of sexual misconduct, assault, stalking, online image sharing, rape or any other incident involving sexual violence and harassment you should contact TU Dublin’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Manager, Catherine Bolger at catherine.bolger@tudublin.ie or at consent@tudublin.ie.
More information can be found on TU Dublin’s EDI Sexual Violence and Harassment website.
Consent
Your sexual health is so important. Positive, healthy, sexual relationships are a good thing. On that note, do you know what's REALLY sexy?? CONSENT. Consent is sexy!
You should be able to avail of as part of your orientation for incoming first years. If, for some reason, you miss this or wish to avail of it, please contact the Advice and Advocacy team to arrange training for you or your class group.
Keep checking in with yourself and your partner-
- “Does this feel ok?”
- “Are you ok to keep going?”
- “I like this”
If a person is drunk, passed out or asleep, they CANNOT give consent. Even if they previously consented, it no longer applies. Remember to look after yourself and only do what you feel happy and comfortable with and give the same grace to your partner.
STD Prevention
It’s important to be aware of STDs without letting fear get in the way of positive sexual experiences. As of 2023, instances of STDs are rising but there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your partners.
- Did you know your college nurses and Students' Unions give condoms and lube out for free? Head to any health centre or Students’ Union common room to pick yours up! Click for information on the Student Health Centres in , and .
- If you’re engaging with a new partner, consider mutually agreeing to STD testing. SH24 provides free, discreet self-testing kits that are delivered straight to your door. Order one at .
- Be aware of PrEP. PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. HIV-negative people can take PrEP before having sex (pre-exposure) and after sex to prevent HIV (this is called a prophylaxis). .
- PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. This can be used in emergency situations when you think you have been exposed to HIV to prevent contraction. .
Unplanned Pregnancy
If you experience an unplanned pregnancy, you may go through a wide range of positive and negative emotions, which is totally normal. It can be scary and overwhelming, and you may not know what your options are.
It might be a good idea to talk confidently to a counsellor, chaplain or Student Advisor on your campus for initial help. Read more information about the Student Counselling Service on each campus. You can also speak to the nurse for free and in confidence. For information on the Medical Health Centres in Tallaght, City and Blanchardstown.
The My Options helpline is a free phone service you can call on 1800 828 010 for information and advice on all options available to you.
For further information on unplanned pregnancy see the HSE website. It also provides advice, information and support for fathers and partners in an unplanned pregnancy situation.
For information on abortion, see HSE website.