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Two-thirds of students would hide mental health problems - survey

There is still a significant stigma around mental health issues in Ireland, according to new research.

MOST STUDENTS WOULD not tell anyone if they were experiencing mental health problems, according to a survey which aims to highlight the continuing stigma around psychological issues.

Some 69 per cent of third-level students said that if they were going through mental health difficulties, they would not want anybody else to know. However, a majority of the people surveyed were themselves open to and understanding of mental health issues, according to the survey carried out by stigma reduction group See Change.

The survey comes as the group launch First Fortnight, a nationwide tour of college campuses featuring concerts and film screenings. The scheme aims to highlight the fact that prejudice or discrimination around mental health can do more lasting damage than some mental health issues themselves.

One in four Irish people will experience a mental health problem at some point in life.

Responding to the figures, Scott Ahearn, welfare officer with the Union of Students in Ireland, said: “The fact such a significant portion of students would feel ashamed or scared to share their anxieties and difficulties around their mental health is worrying.

“This mental health week, our goal with this programme of on-campus First Fortnight events is to challenge this stigma and facilitate open and honest discussion of mental health.”

Read more: Violence in adults could be determined in first three years of life – or even in the womb>

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    Mute Perlum Sprite
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    Feb 25th 2020, 12:15 PM

    It’s time to act across the EU, here too especially. We can’t handle a pandemic. That much we know. It’s not tourist season, we can still act in time to reduce exposure while minimising hassle.

    Flights to and from affected areas should be cancelled for a few weeks.

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    Mute David Garland
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    Feb 25th 2020, 12:16 PM

    @Perlum Sprite: We handled the last pandemic in 2009 didn’t we?

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    Mute Connoroconner
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    Feb 25th 2020, 1:54 PM

    @David Garland: the mortality rate for that pandemic was between 0.1% and 0.7%. The mortality rate for this virus while not finally established is multiples of that, maybe 10 times higher. You’re comparing apples and oranges.

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    Mute David Garland
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    Feb 25th 2020, 3:00 PM

    @Connoroconner: Im not comparing anything.. I’m sure the Irish health service is well equipped to deal with whatever cases we’ll have. Plus if it does hit it will be outside our own flu season which means the hospitals will have a better chance to deal with it..

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    Mute Paraic
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    Feb 25th 2020, 4:18 PM

    @David Garland: Give it a rest. It seems that no matter how many times it’s pointed out to you that this not a flu and is many orders of magnitude worse than any flu in every way, you persist with making unfounded comparisons.

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    Mute David Garland
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    Feb 25th 2020, 5:14 PM

    @Paraic: What unfounded comparisons? 400,000 died in the last pandemic in 2009.. So far this virus/flu has killed less than 3,000. What don’t you understand about my figures?? They’re facts!

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    Mute Nioe
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    Feb 25th 2020, 12:28 PM

    Don’t worry about it. SF have promised to cure it if they get into government.

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    Mute Denis McClean
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    Feb 25th 2020, 12:41 PM

    @Nioe: How often do you dream of Mary Lou?

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    Mute G Row
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    Feb 25th 2020, 1:53 PM

    @Nioe: Harris has it sorted you’ll be fine.

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    Mute Rob
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    Feb 25th 2020, 12:51 PM

    They wont close EU borders as they are too worried about adverse effects on the economy. Money taking priority over people’s health again

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    Mute xDemo17
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    Feb 25th 2020, 12:08 PM

    Its nearly here :-\

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    Mute Diarmaid Mac Aonghusa
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    Feb 25th 2020, 12:13 PM

    @xDemo17: It doesn’t travel alpahabetically!

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    Mute Skybloo
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    Feb 25th 2020, 12:18 PM

    @Diarmaid Mac Aonghusa: That is funny lol

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    Mute aidan mccormack
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    Feb 25th 2020, 1:48 PM

    It would put the shites up ya. Has it only killed those with underlying health problems so far?

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    Mute Kieron Meehan
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    Feb 25th 2020, 7:43 PM

    It is probably the will of Allah

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    Mute Tom Purcell
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    Feb 25th 2020, 1:52 PM

    People really need to tone down the scare-mongering.

    The first case of Rubella in decades here is of far more serious concern

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