Almost three quarters of students experience depression and anxiety because of the cost of university, a USI survey shows.
USI president, Kevin Donoghue said this was an “alarming percentage” of students experiencing problems with their mental health because of the cost of third level education, which has grown in the last few years. If this continues to rise, 63 per cent of student won’t be able to afford to go to college, the survey shows.
The USI believes that by reducing the financial strain on students, their mental health will benefit. “We are calling on the government to raise grants, reduce the registration fee of €3,000 and address the student accommodation crisis,” Donoghue said.
Jill O’Herlihy from Mental Health Ireland spoke about stress being a factor in everyone’s life, especially students. “The most important thing to review is how you’re handling this stress, to make sure everything else in your life reduces it, such as sleeping for eight hours, eating healthy and exercising,” she said.
USI vice president, Annie Hoey told The College View, “If students would like to talk to someone about their stress, USI recommends that they speak to their Welfare Office at their Students’ Union or speak to the college counsellor.”
Hannah Kelly
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