A great increase in universities from Ni since COVID-19

The amount of money from the universities of Northern Ireland spends in mental health and well-being services for students has increased considerably from the COVVI-19 pandemic.

Figures received via freedoms of information revealed that the amount of money allocated has increased by more than 40% on average since 2020.

This includes the annual amount of wages, well-being services and advice.

The Mental Health Champion of Northern Ireland praised the increase in spending, but called for an approach joined with the statutory services.

Professor Siobhan O’Neill said that the start -up University very often coincided with age at which the most common mental disorders appear first.

It has reduced an increase in the rates recorded in poor mental health in students to “increased financial and social pressure” as well as “reduced stigmatization and a desire to request aid”.

“International students and those of marginalized communities such as students of black and ethnic minority groups, disabled students and LGBT + students are more at risk,” she added.

Ms. O’Neill said that increasing spending on mental health services “reflects recognition of the importance of providing timely access to mental health support to difficulty students, so that students can fully benefit from higher education and reduce the risk of abandonment.”

However, the mental health champion said that this support should be accompanied by improvements in statutory mental health services.

“For example, a project linking the university and statutory services of Belfast Trust has been very effective, but it must be available in other regions of Northern Ireland.”

St Mary’s University College of Belfast experienced the largest increase with an increase of 85.5% of expenses of £ 124,927 during the 2019/20 academic year to £ 231,691 in 2023/24.

He said that he had also received double his additional funding from the STEP-UP project from the Ministry of Education with £ 50,000 in 2023/24 reaching £ 100,000 in 2024/25.

This funding, added a university spokesperson, had been used to support the well-being of students using mentors and counseling support services.

The Stranmillis University College experienced a 62% increase in the five years, from £ 55,043 in 2020 to £ 89,208 in 2024.

He said he had operated a free and confidential student counseling service and personally and had a qualified occupational health nurse on site.

“University staff operate an” open door “policy where students are encouraged to contact and discuss concerns about them,” added the university.

The number of expenses in mental health services at Queen’s Belfast university experienced a passage of 52% of £ 931,615 during the 2019/20 academic year to 1,417,539 £ in 2023/24.

The university added that there were a wide range of integrated mental health events and initiatives throughout the academic year for students.

The University of Ulster’s university for mental health services increased by 32%, from £ 1,916,528 during the 2019/20 academic year to 2,535,553 £ in 2023/24.

He said that the University had promoted positive mental health and well-being initiatives to all students through his student wellness team, and offered them access to an external consultant.

Dara Doyle, 21, a third -year psychology student at Queen’s Belfast University, said that he had contributed for the first time to aid in 2023.

“I couldn’t face the work pressure that was,” he said.

“I worked part-time and fairly long hours of the university and I had a lot of social isolation. I did not feel and I knew that I had to talk to someone to make a plan to be myself.”

Dara said he had accessed an appointment service and was then offered six consulting sessions as well as semi-regular exams with her well-being support agent.

He estimated that there was still a reluctance among young men to talk about their mental health.

“They try to appear strong and hold everything together. There is a social judgment when you speak and say” look, I am struggling in bad “.

Caroline Young, vice-president of students and corporate services at Queen’s Belfast University, said that from the Pandemic, there was “a significant change in the support necessary for young people”.

Some feel worried about change in university life, she said, while others have “potentially much more pre-existing conditions or situations”.

Queen’s offers online help, daily appointment service and one to one by one.

“I don’t expect it to disappear,” she said.

“What we hope to be able to do is make sure that there are many ways in which students can understand how to manage and support their own well-being.”