WELFARE
Here at the Technological University of the Shannon, the TUSSU work very hard to ensure that they provide information to all students about a range of concerns including; mental well-being, sexual health awareness, physical health, student safety and other non-academic issues.
Here in the Midlands, our dedicated Welfare Officer Saoirse can provide our students with information about several supports and services both locally and nationally. We work hard to help connect students to these organisations, should they need the support during the academic year.
Take a look at our information on the different Welfare Information provided here at TUSSU below.
Mental Health
Your Psychological and Emotional Well-Being
Interact
Staying in touch or reconnecting with friends and loved ones can massively benefit your mental well-being.
Get Active
Exercise releases endorphins, hormones which reduce stress and anxiety, reduce symptoms of depression and can improve self-esteem!
Healthy Diet
Healthy eating will improve the way you feel both mentally and physically. For more information visit http://www.greatfood.ie/
Sleep
It is recommended that everyone needs 7-8 hours sleep a night. This is necessary for full REM category sleep - the deep sleep we need.
Relax and Destress
College can be hectic at times, so ensure you take time out for yourself to relax, de-stress and do the things you enjoy.
Mindfulness and Awareness
Meditations have the excellent effects on our mental well-being. For more information visit https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting- started/
Sexual Health
Your Sexual Health is a Vital Part of Your Overall Health!
If you are sexually active you need to be aware of how to stay safe. There are many methods of birth-control to reduce the risk undesired pregnancy, including male and female condoms, contraceptive pills, contraceptive implants, IUDs/IUSs, and more.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are not to be taken lightly and it’s important to get tested regularly for STI’s. There are multiple myths around STI testing but there’s no reason to worry. Test procedures are completely painless and are often free.
For more advice follow these links, or visit/call TUS health care centre. You can now order free STI kits from www.SH24.ie
Active Consent
Active Consent is so important and must be taken very seriously when engaging in any forms of sexual acts. It is important to remember that consent can be given and taken away at any time, you can change your mind.
You must ensure that you have consent before engaging in any sexual act in ensuring everyone feels safe and comfortable. See across the Active Consent website and TUS’s Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy.
Physical Health
Your Psychological Fitness
Eat healthy
It is important to eat regular healthy meals. If you shop around you can find some great deals on fresh fruit and veg! It is easy to get run-down if you do not take in the vitamins and nutrients you need. It is a good idea to plan your meals in advance this ensures you stay healthy and stick to your budget.
Useful links:
Exercise
Regular exercise helps prevent disease, helps to control weight and improves the overall quality of life. Another good reason to exercise is that there are links between physical activity and higher academic performance.According to the WHO adults aged 18–64 should do at least 150 minutes of aerobic physical activity throughout the week.
Useful links:
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (EDI)
TUS Students Union represents over 6,000 students of the Technological University of the Shannon with a multitude of nationalities, ethnic minorities and diverse backgrounds. TUS Students Union aims to create, promote and develop the inclusive environment of TUS with the objective of students being educated to maximum fulfilment without bias or prejudice in line with our Universities Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. Your Students Union has adopted a newly formed role to help further better and develop EDI throughout our University with an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion officer for the Midwest Region. TUS Student’s Union have explored many areas over the years and developed multiple ways to promote and develop EDI in TUS. From promoting active citizenship and giving each student the choice to vote on the development of clubs and societies which include a broad range of diverse and inclusive societies, equality weeks such as L.G.B.T. Q+ week, Diversity week, Ethnic minorities week and many more new weeks being developed. TUS Student’s Union strive to continually develop our campus to its full potential in relation to Equality, Inclusion and Diversity. If you feel you have an issue or need to speak to someone in relation to an EDI matter, please contact the Vice-President for Education and Welfare for the Clonmel Campus at: sumoylish@student.lit.ie
HELP & SUPPORT AVAILABLE
Contact Us With Any Issues
Supportive services on campus
TUS Midlands Counselling Service
Olivia Feehan,
TUS Student Counsellor/Psychotherapist
Email: oliviafeehan@tus.ie
Sexual Health
Laura Tully,
Sexual Health Nurse Tel: 090 646 8062
Email: ltully@ait.ie
Student Nurse
Katie Sherlock Tel: 090 646 8062
Email: ksherlock@ait.ie
TUS Disability Office
Email: disability@ait.ie
Lisa Hanlon Disability Liason Officer
Tel: +353 (0)90 646 8142
TUS SU Vice- President for Welfare
Saoirse Mulvihill
Mobile: 085 263 5268
Office: 090 646 8067 Email: suwelfare@ait.ie
Local Support Services
Jigsaw Roscommon
Telephone:090 664 3010
Email: roscommon@jigsaw.ie
Primary Care Centre,
Golf Links Road,
Roscommon Town.
Rape Crisis Centre Midlands
Tel: 1800 306 600
Email: info@rapecrisis.ie
Website: www.rapecrisis.ie
Townhouse Centre,
St Mary’s Square
Athlone,
Co. Westmeath
Pieta House Midlands
Tel: 090 642 4111 Sean Costello Street Athlone, Co. Westmeath N37 W9W0
Athlone and Midlands Samaritans
Tel: 116 123
3 Court Devenish,
Athlone.
Aiséirí Cahir Addiction treatment service
Email: info@aiseiri.
ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services
Tel: (061) 412354
Email: info@adaptservices.ie
ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services,
ADAPT House,
Rosbrien,
Limerick.
South East Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force
Email: susan.kiely@hse.ie
Athlone Garda Station
Tel: +353 090 649 8550
Barrack Street,
Athlone,
Co. Westmeath
N37 XE33
National Support Services & Helplines
Text TUS (Mental Health Text Service)
– text ‘AIT’ to 50808
Aware
(Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder & Anxiety)
www.aware.ie
Tel: 1800 80 48 48
SH24.ie
Sexual Health Discreet, Confidential STI tests Free Home STI Tests in Ireland | Sexual Health Info & Advice | SH:24 (sh24.ie)Tel: 112
Drugs.ie
Drug and Alcohol Information and Support
www.drugs.ie
Helpline: 1800 459 459
National Suicide Helpline (Pieta House)
1800 247 247
Mental Health Ireland
Promoting Mental Health, Well-being and Recovery
Website: MentalHealthIreland.ie
Email: info@mentalhealthireland.ie Tel: 01 284 1166
Grow
(Mental Health support and Recovery)
www.grow.ie
Tel: 1890 474 474
Bodywhys
(Eating Disorders Associations of Ireland)
www.bodywhys.ie
1890 200 444
Irish Advocacy Network (Peer advocacy in mental health) www.irishadvocacynetwork.com
Tel: 01 872 8684
IACP
(Counselling &Psychotherapy)
www.iacp.ie
Tel: 01 230 3536
Irish Council for Psychotherapy
(Counselling & Psychotherapy)
www.psychotherapycouncil.ie
Tel: 01 905 8698
Shine
(Supporting people effected by mental ill health)
www.shine.ie
SATU
Sexual Assault Treatment Units
Sexual Assault Treatment Units – HSE.ie Urgent Help: 112 999
STUDENT SAFETY
Student Safety is a key priority
Student Safety is a key priority in the Technological University of the Shannon can be a relatively busy environment as well as the surrounding areas of the college.
Student Safety is a key priority and the protection and maintenance of a safe environment for both students and staff is key throughout the campus. An Garda Síochána have developed ‘Campus Watch’, which is a key guide for students to help develop and better their safety whilst both on campus and off campus. The very nature of a campus, where unfamiliar faces are common and accepted, lends itself to the work of the criminal who can blend in quite easily around halls of residence.
For example, it is not unusual to see people carrying backpacks and other items without suspicion.
Campus Watch Guide:
https://www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/crime-prevention/garda-campus-watch-2019-english.pdf
For students on tight budgets, expensive items are difficult to replace, and it is highly advisable to spend a short time considering how effective measures can be taken to reduce the possibility of theft. The good news is that there are a number of actions you can take to reduce the chance of becoming a victim of crime. Campus Watch is similar to a residential Neighbourhood Watch scheme in that it is a crime prevention and community safety programme. It operates as a partnership between An Garda Síochána and the Campus occupants. It works on the basis that every member of Campus can help to improve the quality of life on site by keeping a look out for students, staff and visitors, and reporting suspicious activities to the Gardaí. If you feel your safety is at risk in anyway both on or off campus, please contact the GARDAÍ and your Welfare Officer Robert if you have an issue in relation to your safety.
