Mental Health & Wellbeing

For Students

Student Health Centre – an acute care/advisory service with a dedicated Mental Health Nurse.
Student Counselling Service – a professional, confidential service with a team of dedicated counsellors, a variety of online supports and a range of wellbeing workshops.
Student Support Services – a holistic range of services to support students to achieve their personal and academic potentials and enhance their life's journey. Includes a dedicated Student Support Officer, a Student Advisor, a Student Budgeting Advisor, a Student Support Hub and an in-person and virtual Student Helpdesk.
Student Skills & Success Dept - dedicated teams committed to empowering you to fulfil your potential and success in all aspects of your university experience, personally, academically and professionally.

Peer Mentoring Programme - an exciting new initiative designed to support first year students transition into university life by offering peer-led help and guidance. It will initially run as a pilot open to School of Law and Criminology students only. The pilot will run for 8 weeks in Semester 1 where weekly Group Sessions will be provided to groups of 10-12 mentees, facilitated by 2-3 mentors. It provides first year students with a unique opportunity to get together with other students in the School who will signpost them to services/supports, and forge a sense of belonging and community.

This programme is a partnership between the School of Law & Criminology (Dr Joe Garrihy and Dr Elaine Burroughs), MU THRIVE Iniative (Eddie Corr) and MU Healthy Campus (Orlagh Eustace). After a period of development and evaluation it is anticipated that the programme will be made available to other Schools & Departments. For further information please contact: [email protected]

For Staff

Learning & Development, HR - provide events, resources and seminars on a range of wellbeing topics. Check their webpage and Course Directory to see what’s happening each month.
Inspire (Employee Assistance Programme) - provide resources and a free, confidential counselling service, designed to assist employees in dealing with any issue that adversely affects their health, wellbeing, personal or professional life.

Free Training

safeTALK: this is a half day interactive in-person training workshop. It prepares participants to identify and provide practical help to persons with thoughts of suicide, connecting them to life saving first aid resources. These specific skills are called ‘suicide alertness’. Maynooth University regularly run safeTALK training workshops on campus for staff and for students. The next workshops will take place in Semester 2 AY24/25. Date/time TBC. If you would like to pre-register for a workshop email [email protected]

‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ – this is the HSE’s new, free online suicide prevention training programme. It helps participants to identify people who are at risk, confidently speak about the topic of suicide, and connects them with resources which can help them stay safe. The programme takes approx. 60 minutes to complete, but participants can go at their own pace and pause and recommence the programme anytime. To sign up and access the programme click here: https://traininghub.nosp.ie/

External Supports

Samaritans - a safe place for you to talk any time, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. Available 24/7. Free Phone 116 123.
Pieta House - free, therapeutic approach to people who are in suicidal distress, engage in self-harm, or bereaved by suicide. 24/7 crisis helpline:1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444.
Jigsaw - mental health advice and support, online and in person, for young people aged 12 - 25 years-old. Visit www.jigsaw.ie for details and locations.
MyMind - multilingual counselling and psychotherapy, online and face to face. Tel: 0818 500 800 or visit www.mymind.org
ReachOut.com - web-based service that helps young people get through tough times by providing information on mental health and related issues.
Spun Out - text message support service available 24/7, just text SPUNOUT to 086 1800 280 to begin.
Crisis Text Line - free 24/7 text service providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through a mental health or emotional crisis. Text MU to 50808 to begin.
Pavee Point - contribute to improvement in the quality of life, living circumstances, status and participation of Travellers & Roma through working innovatively for social justice, greater solidarity, development, equality and human rights. Email: [email protected] for more information.
Bodywhys - support, information and understanding for people affected by eating disorders including family and carers. Phone the helpline: (01) 2834963, email: [email protected] or visit www.bodywhys.ie
BeLonG To Youth Services - supports LGBTI+ young people in Ireland. Visit www.belongto.org or email: [email protected]
Women's Aid - Support for women experiencing domestic abuse. Contact via 24 hour national FreePhone helpline 1800 341 900 or visit www.womensaid.ie
Men's Development Network - funded projects include Men’s Development and Men’s Health Programmes, the MEND Domestic Violence Intervention Programme, the national Male Advice Line, and a Men’s Counselling Service. Visit www.mensnetwork.ie
Aware: (depression) Phone: 1890 303 302
Rape Crisis Network, Phone: 1800 778888
Mens Aid Ireland (male domestic abuse) Phone: 046 9023 718
Mental Health First Aid
Alzheimer's Society of Ireland Phone: 1800 341 341
A list of National Wellbeing supports may be found here.  
The Health & Safety Authority (HSA) offer a range of supports on addressing work related stress, including a work related stress worksheet for employees 
The HSE offer mental health supports and online courses including a video-based wellbeing programme. This evidence-based programme provides a unique opportunity for people to learn more about mindfulness, gratitude, self-care and resilience. Minding Your Wellbeing aims to provide simple tools and guidance to develop and maintain a positive outlook by looking after our mental health and wellbeing.
Government Keep Well Supports
National Office for Suicide Prevention
Understanding Together Campaign – This is a public support, awareness and information campaign led by the HSE, working with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) and Genio campaign.

Elephant In The Room

The Elephant in the Room (EIR) Movement is a transformative mental health awareness campaign. It challenges mental health stigma and promotes discussion and engagement.

Earlier this year Maynooth University partnered with the EIR Movement to create a bespoke Maynooth University Elephant. It has been painted by a professional artist based on artwork submissions received from staff and students.

The sculpture will be unveiled on Wednesday November 27th at 10am in the TSI Foyer. You are warmly invited to attend this event which will feature speeches from our President Professor Eeva Leinonen and EIR founder Dave Southern. You are also invited to enter our ‘Name the Elephant’ competition by scanning the QR code on the poster above.

Maynooth University is committed to proactive work under the HEA National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework and re-solidified its commitment to implementing the National Healthy Campus Framework with a formal signing of the Healthy Campus Charter in 2023. The EIR movement aligns with Maynooth University’s work under both of these national frameworks and the 2023-2028 Maynooth University Strategic Plan which highlights the importance of engagement, belonging and community.

See Change, Green Ribbon

The Green Ribbon is an international symbol for mental health awareness. By wearing one, you show that you are open to having conversations about mental health.

Maynooth University strives to have an open, inclusive campus environment with no stigma or shame around mental health. Every year we celebrate the ‘See Change, Green Ribbon month’, and the video below highlights how across our many and varied departments there is an openness and respect for mental health.

We encourage everyone on campus to be an ambassador for this positive culture. You can pick up a free Green Ribbon all year round from the Healthy Campus office.

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