As thousands of students embark on their biggest adventure yet, a recent survey by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP ) reveals that almost one in four (23 per cent ) adults would be embarrassed to seek professional help for personal problems and only six per cent of under 25s in Ireland would seek professional help to deal with personal issues.
The IACP has released the full results of a survey which highlights some key facts about the Irish and their attitudes to mental health:
One in four (23 per cent ) over-65s in Ireland keep their personal problems and difficulties to themselves. This figure is nearly double the rate for the overall adult population (13 per cent ).
While 70 per cent of people said they would discuss problems with a friend or family member, only one in two (49 per cent ) over-65s would share their problems.
A quarter (25 per cent ) of Irish people have at some time attended counselling or psychotherapy, but only one in seven (14 per cent ) of over-65s have attended.
After a process that saw some entry requirements hitting their highest levels for decades, it is not just students feeling the pressure. Parents of college-goers are dealing with high levels of stress and personal issues as they guide their teenagers through application processes and prepare to watch their ambitious teenagers leave the nest in search of independence.
More than 53,000 students sat the Leaving Certificate this year and with some 40,000 starting college there is a heightened need to equip them with the tools to effectively manage personal problems.
Shane Kelly of IACP said: “Starting third level education represents a major change in students’ lives – especially if they are living away from home for the first time. In addition college requires significantly more effort from students than secondary school. Most students find that they need to develop new skills in order to balance academic demands with the challenges of living away from home and the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Stress is a part of everyday life but students can reduce this by improving skills such as time management, stress management, and relaxation. Learning how to manage your responsibilities, accomplish your goals, and still have time for rest and relaxation requires that you practice good time management skills”.
Mr Kelly also offered tips for dealing with stress: “Exercise regularly, during breaks from class, studying, or work; spend time walking outdoors; listen to music or just sit quietly to clear and calm your mind. Seek the support of friends and family when you need to ‘vent’ about situations that bring on stressful feelings,” he said. The full report can be found at http://www.irish-counselling.ie/images/IACP%20Behaviour%20%20Attitudes%20Research.pdf
Physical symptoms of stress include headaches, indigestion, sweaty hands, high blood pressure, dizziness, breathing heavily, feeling faint, sweating or a sudden change in your eating habits, while other symptoms are feeling worried all the time or feeling cut off from reality.
For a directory of IACP-accredited and qualified counsellors and psychotherapists across every county in Ireland visit www.iacp.ie, or phone 01 272 3427.
