Online Mental Health Community for Students launched in TCD
Posted on: 08 February 2006
Ireland’s first online mental health community for university students has been launched in Trinity. Using the online community students can avail of the services it offers such as e-counselling, e-peer support, information and education on a wide range of mental health issues related to students at third level.
A Student Counselling Service project, The TCD Mental Health Initiative has already developed a resource manual for suicide prevention at third level. One of its recommendations was to consider exploring the use of technology for mental health service delivery.
“There are several reasons why online mental health service delivery is possible,” explains Derek Richards, psychotherapist and researcher, who developed the pilot project for the online community. “Factors relating to the potential of using ICT for mental health service delivery such as students’ familiarity with the Internet, the availability of technology and communication tools and the growth in Internet usage to access health information indicate that the use of technology for mental health service delivery is well grounded. Also, given the rise in mental ill health issues among students, such as depression and suicide, technology holds the possibility of reaching a larger population, especially young males, whom would not typically use face-to-face services”.
“Benefits of using the Internet for mental health service delivery include relaxing geographical boundaries, time and mobility barriers, ease of access to information and education, and it facilitates both synchronous and asynchronous communication. In addition, the Internet can facilitate disinhibition, and it is hoped that this will contribute to the success of the online site for students at college, especially males”.
The model of online counselling being used is asynchronous, where students post an e-mail which is then responded to by a Counsellor. Thereafter, both the student’s message and reply are posted onto the website for all users to read. Any potential identifying details will be removed.
Discussion boards are used and moderated by peer supporters; they are trained volunteers who will moderate the discussions, establish topics, prune old topics, and ensure the boards are used responsibly. International research and literature highlight the significance of peer relationships for students. Many studies suggest that peers turn primarily to each other when experiencing problems. The community also makes available a broad range of psycho-educational materials for students.
The online community is currently being piloted until June 2006 and an evaluation of its use and the potential of ICT to deliver such services will be conducted. To access the website please go to www.tcd.ie/student_counselling/ and click on the link for online mental health community.