In the case of very urgent or emergency situations please contact the service on counselling.service@tudublin.ie or 086 082 0543.
Please be aware that we are open Monday - Friday from 9am -1pm and 2pm - 5pm. If you require urgent support outside of these hours please call 112/999 or present to A and E. You can freephone the Samaritans 24 hours 7 days per week if you would like to chat to a volunteer confidentially, their number is 116123.
We strongly advise you tell a caregiver how you are feeling, call 112/999 or present yourself to A and E if you are in danger.
We strongly recommend seeking mental health support if you are thinking about suicide. Whatever the problem is, it is not worth your life. Lean on resources and supports available to you to help you cope with your problems – you are not alone (even if it feels that way).
If you cannot keep yourself safe it is very important that you reduce the risk of you acting on suicidal thoughts (such as leaving your bedroom if it’s triggering negative thoughts or removing/disposing of any means of completing suicide).
It could be useful to go for a drive, walk and call a helpline such as the Samaritans (freephone 116 123) to chat to a volunteer. You may wish to try a breathing technique: Square Breathing Visual - YouTube
What methods in the past helped? What would you tell a close friend who was feeling this way? Remind yourself that these feelings are temporary.
You might also like to try distract yourself in some way – watch a tv show, movie, music, podcast, knit, mindful colouring, play a game on your phone, cook something etc. Exercise can help you to switch gears – give it a try. Exercise helps to turn down the volume on physical symptoms of anxiety (increased heart rate, sweats, feeling dizzy/faint etc.) and boost mood.
You may like to go make yourself a cup of tea or a drink you like. It is important to be kind to yourself. You may wish to tell yourself “I am doing the best I can” or “these feelings are temporary and something I am working on”.
Places to Get Help Outside of College/After-Hours
| Name | Further information |
|---|---|
| Local G.P., psychiatrist, counsellor, community or support group | Local GP |
| Local Emergency department | https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/patient-care/emergency-care/ |
| DUBDOC | 01 45 45 607 (weekdays 6—10pm, weekends/bank holidays 10am—6pm) |
| Samaritans | 116 123 (24 hours Freephone) |
| Pieta House |
1800 247 247 or Text HELP 51444 (standard rates apply). 24 hours Freephone - if you or someone you know is in crisis experiencing suicidal ideation, engaging in self-harm, or have been bereaved by suicide. |
| AWARE’s Depression Line |
1800 80 48 48 (10am—10pm Freephone) |
| Emergency services (fire brigade, Gardaí, ambulance) |
999 or 112 |
| Please find your local HSE out of hours via this link: | |
| Niteline |
1800 793 793. Niteline is a listening service ran by students for students which is open from 9pm – 2.30am. It is open during term time only and is not open outside of term. It is confidential, anonymous, non-judgemental and non-directive. Home - NiteLine |
| Crisis Textline |
Text TUDub to 50808 |
Places to Refer a Student in College
| Name | Further information |
|---|---|
| Lecturer or Head of Department | |
| Student Health Service | 01 220 5700 |
| Students’ Union | 01 220 5450 |
| Student Counselling Service | 086 0820543 |
| College Chaplains | +353 1 220 7077 or +353 87 4169517 or +353 86 0610306 |
| Disability Service | +353 1 220 5097/5008 |
I think I am having a panic attack
If you are having a panic attack please be aware that while panic is very uncomfortable, it won’t harm you.
- Panic attacks will not cause you to stop breathing, suffocate, faint or fall.
- You will not “go crazy”, lose control or die from a panic attack.
- A panic attack cannot cause heart failure or cardiac arrest.
- Panic attacks can last between 5 – 15 minutes, although this can feel longer. This is because most of our adrenaline runs out in 3-5 minutes. Panic attacks are a temporary, time limited experience.
- Anxiety is designed to alert you to danger and threat. Panic attacks are like a false alarm - a fire alarm going off, but there is no fire.
- We advise you visit your GP or student health centre if you're worried about how you're feeling, or to rule out other health conditions.
- You might like to try slow down your breathing and tell yourself “I am ok, I am safe, panic won’t harm me”.
Please try some of these relaxation techniques to help re-centre you and bring you back into the present moment:
Breathing Exercises To Stop A Panic Attack Now | TAKE A DEEP BREATH - YouTube
Square Breathing Visual - YouTube
Progressive Muscle Relaxation - YouTube
The 5-4-3-2-1 Method: A Grounding Exercise to Manage Anxiety - YouTube
Learn tips and techniques to combat panic through our FREE online CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) program on Silvercloud: SilverCloud. Making Space For Healthy Minds (silvercloudhealth.com)
If you have concerns about a student it can be difficult to know what to do. We are happy to provide support and guidance – with respect to any confidentiality around students. We operate an on-call system. If you have any concerns, please contact our service administrator who will put you in touch with our on-call counsellor who will listen, support and guide. You can contact the service at counselling.service@tudublin.ie or 086 082 0543.
We often support staff, family members and friends of students who are concerned. Please see the below flowcharts for STAFF on what to do when you are concerned about a student’s mental health.
Please be aware that we are open Monday - Friday from 9am -1pm and 2pm - 5pm. If you require urgent support outside of these hours please call 112/999 or present to A and E. You can freephone the Samaritans 24 hours 7 days per week if you would like to chat to a volunteer confidentially, their number is 116123.
Places to Get Help Outside of College/After-Hours
| Name | Further information |
|---|---|
| Local G.P., psychiatrist, counsellor, community or support group | Local GP |
| DUBDOC | 01 45 45 607 (weekdays 6—10pm, weekends/bank holidays 10am—6pm) |
| Samaritans | 116 123 (24 hours Freephone) |
| Pieta House |
1800 247 247 or Text HELP 51444 (standard rates apply). 24 hours Freephone - if you or someone you know is in crisis experiencing suicidal ideation, engaging in self-harm, or have been bereaved by suicide. |
| AWARE’s Depression Line |
1800 80 48 48 (10am—10pm Freephone) |
| Emergency services (fire brigade, Gardaí, ambulance) |
999 or 112 |
| Please find your local HSE out of hours via this link: | |
| Niteline |
1800 793 793. |
| Crisis Textline |
Text TUDub to 50808 |
Places to Refer a Student in College
| Name | Further Information |
|---|---|
| Lecturer or Head of Department | |
| Student Health Service | 01 220 5700 |
| Student's Union | 01 220 5450 |
| Student Counselling Service | 0860820543 |
| College Chaplains | +353 1 220 7077 or +353 87 4169517 or +353 86 0610306 |
| Disability Service | +353 1 220 5097/5008 |