Student Counselling
Mary Immaculate College provides a professional Counselling Service available to all students on both campuses, free of charge during the academic year.
The team of counsellors offer a One-to-One Counselling support for MIC Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students and provide a safe, confidential, reflective space to talk about your difficulties and explore the potential for change, build on your self-care and develop strategies to address your problems or mental health condition.
They provide up to six sessions of Counselling with follow-ups if necessary. Further referrals are made as necessary to specialized or specific services inside and outside of MIC.
Most MIC students prefer to work with their Counsellor in person. But if you are on placement or off-campus they can arrange for you to have sessions via TEAMS or phone.
You do not need to struggle on your own with a worry or problem. Counsellors are here to support you in finding a way through. MIC student counselling is CONFIDENTIAL & FREE.
What kinds of support is provided?
Support is provided for many issues, such as: Stress, panic/anxiety attacks, crisis pregnancy, loneliness, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, bereavement, exam stress, post-abortion, depression, relationships, sexual/emotional/physical abuse, gender issues, bullying, confidence/self-esteem issues, feeling suicidal, family issues, addictive behaviours, and others.
How to arrange Counselling?
If you are on Limerick campus, come to Drop-In between 11 am & 12.45 pm Monday to Friday in T311 & T312. A counsellor will always be available in these times to talk meet you and talk through any issues that are concerning you.
You do not need an appointment or a referral to attend Drop-In.
If you are off campus or for some reason cannot make drop-in hours, then send an email to counselling@mic.ul.ie and we will get back to you to arrange an alternative initial meeting.
Most students prefer to work with their counsellor in person. However, if you are on placement or off campus we can arrange for you to have counselling via Teams or phone.
If you are on the Thurles Campus, you can email Paula.Seth@mic.ul.ie to arrange an appointment.
Students in Crisis
If you are feeling unsafe or in a Suicidal Crisis/Emergency it is very important that you keep yourself safe by reaching out to gain support and contact immediately:
- Your GP
- If your life is in imminent danger, please call 999.
- Pieta House: Freephone 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 5144
- The Samaritans: (Free-call) 116 123
Other supports include:
- Shannondoc: 0818 123 500
- A&E dept. for mental health crisis: 061 301 111
- AWARE: 1800 804 848
- Rape Crisis: 1800 311 511
Other Supports
Text About It
Text MIC to 50808 for support 24/7 for any concern
Togetherall
Togetherall is a safe, anonymous, online community for mental health support. It is a place to express yourself and support each other. You will have access to a range of different courses on topics of concern such as anxiety, procrastination, self-harm, problems sleeping etc. There are assessment tools and articles to help you understand how you are feeling and techniques to help you manage your mental health.
Togetherall is available 24/7 and free to all MIC Students. Just register with your academic email.
Click here to sign up to Togetherall.
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy service supports students during times of bereavement, illness and during occasions of personal or family upheaval. It is possible to discuss issues of concern in confidence.
They also honour students’ joys and celebrations, and do fun things as well in cooperation with the Student’s Union and various societies.
The Chaplaincy Room is loated in T1.08 on the Limerick Campus and the Chaplaincy team can be contacted on Chaplaincy.Team@mic.ul.ie or 061 204399.
It also has a dedicated MIC Chaplaincy Facebook page and can be found on Instagram @chaplaincy.team.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse can take many forms, but fundamentally it involves using substances in a way that is physically, psychologically or socially detrimental. Examples include binge drinking and the overuse of illicit or prescription drugs.
Patterns of use can manifest in compulsive use, difficulty limiting intake, continuing despite negative consequences (e.g: relationship, health or legal issues) and in some cases can become habits of dependence or addiction.
Unchecked substance abuse can lead to overdose, chronic health issues, mental health disorders, social instability and even death.
Substance Abuse Supports
Gambling Awareness
Gambling is a game of chance where you bet money on the outcome. Here are some different types of gambling;
- Online Games
- Lottery (National/Euromillions)
- Scratch Cards
- Betting (Sports/Horse-racing etc)
- Slots/Poker
1 in 10 Male students at Third Level has a gambling problem
Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
A support group where members discuss getting help for a gambling addiction You can attend Gambler’s Anonymous meetings which are located in several different cities and towns around Ireland Find out more about meeting times at https://www.gamblersanonymous.ie/ GA also has a mobile app listing all of their services and meeting times GA also hold meetings for family and friends of people with a gambling addiction called Gam-Anon GA and Gam-Anon meetings are free to attend.
More information on gambling and supports can be found at https://www.problemgambling.ie/.