        
INFORMATION SHARING – The Kerry Mental Health Association website relating to a recent survey of Leaving Certificate Students in Kerry. https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie
LEAVING Certificate students in Kerry have said that Covid-19 has had a negative impact on their mental health, while increased competition for 3rd Level places in 2021 is causing the most worry.
612 final year secondary school students in Kerry took part in an online survey to gauge how Covid-19 and the uncertainty surrounding the Leaving Cert Exams have affected their mental wellbeing.
Initial findings from the survey, which were published in full on Friday 19th February 2021, revealed that there are higher levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and disappointment in students since this pandemic began with students missing face-to-face contact and being in the presence of their friends.
More than half (53%) of the students said they would not know where to go if they, or someone they know, needed help from professional mental health services right away.
The General Manager of Kerry Mental Health Association, John Drummey, said: We believed it was necessary to ask students directly how they are feeling, what worries them the most and what they need to help them through the Covid-19 crisis. The pandemic has impacted their mental health, with the Leaving Certificate and availability of 3rd Level places being the main concern of students. A concern for everyone is that half the students dont know where to go for professional help to deal with a mental health crisis.
Some of the key findings -99% indicated that Covid-19 had created stress for them. -86% of the respondents felt that Covid-19 had worsened their mental health, with over one third, 37% reporting that it had worsened their mental health significantly. -90% of the respondents reported being very or extremely worried with regards the uncertainty of the Leaving Certificate taking place in July 2021, with over two thirds, 65% being extremely worried. -90% of students were worried about the increased competition for 3rd Level places in 2021. -73% of students said that when they are stressed, they feel their most important form of contact for their mental well-being is face-to-face contact.
Kerry Mental Health Association received funding from Mental Health Ireland to carry out the research with the support of the ISSU | Irish Second-Level Students Union and Munster Technological University | MTU over a seven-day period at the end of January 2021.
More than half (53%) of the students said they would not know where to go if they, or someone they know, needed help from professional mental health services right away.       |
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