News

Mental Health Week 2012

DCU Students' Union has launched its Mental Health Week campaign for 2012. This year's theme, "Share Your Story", aims to get the DCU community talking about mental health. Students and staff are encouraged to use the sharing facilities of social media (#DCUMH12) to describe how they faced and overcame a difficult episode in their lives.

Neil Collins, DCUSU Welfare Officer, has highlighted the importance of students seeking help whenever they encounter stress in their daily lives,

"Mental health is the number one health issue for young people in Ireland and suicide is the leading cause of death in young people here. A lot of people think only of depression and suicide when they hear about mental health, but things like exam stress, financial worry and loneliness are also very much associated with it too, so it can affect us all. So think about your mental health this week, recognise the signs and, as always, talk to someone when you feel there is something that may be affecting you."

Mental Health Week will begin on Tuesday 30th October with a 24 hour student fast outside the Henry Grattan building to raise funds for Headstrong, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health. For more information on all events and activities taking place this week visit www.dcusu.ie/whats-on.