Spin survey on mental health
Students in Ireland are reporting poor mental health and a lack of government support throughout the pandemic.
Spin research has found there are fears and uncertainty among college students and those entering third-level education.
In a survey of over 1,000 students, the majority feel the government is not doing enough to help them during the pandemic.
79% of college students and 64% of those doing their leaving cert felt they were not receiving enough support.
97% of those who were due to sit their leaving cert exams this year are still hoping to stay in education, however, 17% are reconsidering their options due to Covid-19.
Almost 60% of college students found the process of studying for and sitting exams online challenging.
With socialising, meditating and comfort eating being cited as ways to relieve stress.
LEAVING CERT STUDENTS
(*due to sit their Leaving Cert exams in 2020)
- 55% of them have expressed concern about their exam results
Unfair results, teacher bias and delays were concerns expressed repeatedly - 97% of all students still hoping to continue their education
Students are more concerned than excited about going to university - Only 21% of students have expressed any level of excitement around going to college with reasons including ‘a new experience or fresh start’, ‘studying something I enjoy’ and ‘moving out of home’
Students feel COVID-19 has had a negative effect on their mental health - 54% said that COVID-19 has had a negative impact
Students feel the government/dept of education could have done more - 64% of respondents say the Government/Dept of Education has done little or nothing to support them
- 17% of students are reconsidering their college choice on the back of COVID-19
- 87% of respondents have said that very few or no brands are supporting them
COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Third level students surveyed are expecting college life to be very different when they return, particularly around increased remote / online-based learning, less time spent on campus and reduced access to teachers and lecturers.
Respondents also expect their social life to be negatively impacted with less opportunities to make friends, enjoy extracurricular activities and socialise.
- Some students are concerned about returning to university/college
42% of students have indicated levels of concern - 58% expressed that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on their mental health
- College and University Students clearly do not feel the Government is doing enough to support them with 79% of respondents saying the Government has done very little or nothing to support them
- 59% found the process of studying for and sitting exams online challenging
- 88% of respondents have said that very few or no brands are supporting them
- Exercising, talking or socialising with family and friends, meditating, comfort eating, and reading were all cited as ways to relieve stress.
During COVID-19, SPIN launched a Youth Mental Health series with SpunOut.ie, to provide useful advice and support for young people when it comes to minding your mental health.
