What are students’ biggest concerns about returning to campus and how is the SCS helping them through this transition? Most students are anxious to get back to in-person learning and social life. Many students, including second years are returning without having ever been on campus and this is a cause of anxiety. The transition to Trinity team is offering re-orientation for this group of students and all student services are primed to offer extra supports. What ‘pandemic’ initiatives will the service continue with as we embark on a phased return to campus? We have been growing our online support options for some time and these will now form part of an overall package for students. For students on placement, telecounselling has been an option for the past two years but now this will be on offer, along with zoom and in-person counselling for the entire student body. The global pandemic has triggered an array of mental health issues and research indicates that the population aged 18-25 are greatly impacted. There is no doubt that levels of anxiety, low mood, relationship issues, loneliness and some suicidal thoughts have increased for many students. The expectation is that COVID-19 related intensity of these issues will be felt for some years to come. The SCS will continue to offer a variety of interventions to meet students where they are at; this may be through online courses, weekly groups, psychoeducational workshops, in-person or online counselling, and a number of peer support options. We have also created a Student Advisory Board to ensure that all our work and interventions are student focused and responsive to student need. Trinity Alumni & Development proudly supports this excellent and vital student service. The impact of the pandemic was immediate and severe: 55 % of students reported struggling with stress; 51% with low mood 48 % were encountering interpersonal problems; 36% felt lonely 11 % had experienced suicidal thoughts and feelings 28 % were struggling academically - as reinforced by a 349% rise in those attending Student Learning Development 84 % reported that the concerns causing them to contact the service had improved 75 % said that counselling had improved their overall experience of university 55 % felt better at adapting to change; 98% of students moreover felt that they had learnt something useful 93 % of students affirmed that they would implement these skills in their studies.
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