Supporting Student Wellbeing: A Look at Mental Health Services at Trinity College
Mental health has become a critical conversation on university campuses worldwide, and Trinity College is no exception. As student life grows increasingly complex, the need for effective mental health support is clearer than ever.
Recent research has highlighted that university students are experiencing rising levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Factors contributing to this include academic pressure, financial strain, social isolation, and uncertainties about future employment. At Trinity, these challenges have been met by several targeted initiatives aiming to support students' mental health and wellbeing.
One prominent programme at the College is Silver Cloud, an online, self-directed mental health programme grounded in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Silver Cloud is particularly suitable for students experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, or stress. The platform is uniquely accommodating to students with demanding schedules since it can be accessed flexibly online, anytime. Students engaging with Silver Cloud can expect multimedia courses tailored to specific concerns, such as stress management, anxiety relief, and building resilience. Some modules offer weekly online feedback from Trinity's counselling team, whereas others function purely as self-guided programmes.
For students seeking more targeted support, the College also offers Coping Skills Sessions. These concise, structured sessions last about 30 minutes each and are facilitated by Assistant Psychologists. They help students learn practical coping techniques for specific concerns such as managing stress, dealing with difficult emotions, or improving communication skills. Available either online via Zoom or in person, these sessions are ideal for students who generally manage well but wish to build more robust coping mechanisms and improve their overall mental resilience.
In addition, Trinity's Drop-In Support Groups provide a supportive, community-driven approach to mental health care. These weekly sessions offer students a confidential space to address their concerns collectively, supported by trained facilitators. This group dynamic provides unique therapeutic benefits that individual counselling alone may not fully achieve, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.
The Student 2 Student (S2S) Peer Support service complements these formal interventions by providing accessible peer-to-peer assistance. Peer Supporters are fellow students trained to offer empathetic listening and practical advice. This informal approach can be particularly comforting for students who might initially hesitate to seek professional psychological help, addressing everyday challenges alongside more significant concerns.
For students facing significant or long-standing mental health issues, Trinity’s Short-Term Counselling services offer more intensive, individualised care. These one-to-one therapy sessions are tailored to students with chronic or severe mental health conditions or those who have found other services insufficient. Typically, students are provided an initial set of three sessions, with the option for additional sessions based on ongoing assessment of their needs and progress. Sessions may be conducted in person, or via Zoom, providing flexibility and convenience.
The Trinity College Dublin Students' Union (TCDSU) emphasises that "Everyone has mental health, and its quality can fluctuate throughout our lives for a variety of reasons. Mental wellbeing is achieved when our resources match our challenges. Whether you have a diagnosed condition or not, there is always someone here to talk to you. Research shows that there is a strong relationship between talking and lower mental distress and higher positive adjustment. Please don’t suffer in silence—let’s start the conversation!" They encourage students needing immediate support to contact welfare@tcdsu.org for problem solving, venting, or advice. For urgent situations, TCDSU advises: "If your life is in imminent danger please call 999. If you are having suicidal thoughts please call 1800 247 100. Call Niteline on 1800 793 793 during term time or Samaritans on 01 671 0071 outside of term time for someone to talk to. If you prefer to text anonymously use the Crisis Support Line, text HELLO to 50808."
Ultimately, the College continues to evolve its mental health support structures, striving to meet the dynamic needs of its diverse student body. By investing in proactive, accessible, and varied support systems, Trinity recognises that nurturing student mental health is fundamental not only to academic success but also to personal and professional growth.
For more information on the services mentioned, got to: www.tcd.ie/studentcounselling/services-available/
External Supports
Aware: Depression helpline, www.aware.ie, 1800 80 48 48
Bodywhys: Eating disorders support, www.bodywhys.ie, 01 210 7906
Crisis Text Line :Freetext TCD to 50808, www.text50808.ie
Niteline: Listening and chat service, www.niteline.ie, 1800 793 793
Pieta House: Suicide and self-harm, www.pieta.ie, Freephone: 1800 247 247, Text HELP to 51444
Samaritans: Crisis helpline, www.samaritans.org, Call: 116 123
