UNIVERSITY of Limerick (UL) spent over €700,000 on student mental health services over the past two years.
That’s according to figures released to the Irish Times under Freedom of Information (FOI), which show that UL spent €706,394 on mental health services for students between September 2021 and March 2023.
The institution currently has no wait time for those seeking an appointment, which is an improvement from the previously reported wait time of 22 days.
UL’s Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service operates a free service to students during term time.
In a statement to the Limerick Post, a spokesman for UL confirmed that the spend over the past two years has been higher than other recorded years.
“UL’s expenditure on student mental health services was higher during the time period reported on, compared to a similar time period in previous years,” the statement said.
“University of Limerick recognises the importance of providing dedicated, accessible, and adequately resourced student mental health services, within a whole of institution approach to supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing.”
The spokesman said that the university provides a range of mental health services to students.
“UL’s Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service provides a range of supports to students within a primary care model of service delivery which also actively manages students at risk.”
“The service model delivers a wellbeing and resiliency programme, one-to-one psychological counselling, access to online support platforms, and referral to external specialist services for cases that require support which is beyond the remit of the service.”
