Green Party Senator and European candidate for Dublin, Deirdre De Burca, said that a dedicated student health site could save time and money for students.

Speaking at the launch of a report by NUI Galway, Senator De Burca said that young people have difficulty accessing information and support services. The report states that mental health, alcohol abuse and sexual health are the top issues affecting young people.

Senator De Burca said that a dedicated health website for students would provide up-to-date information on the issues faced by young people at the click of a button and that the site could easily be linked to social networking sites, providing an open forum for students to discuss issues with peers.

“This report states that the site should be launched in a joint effort between third-level institutions and the HSE. It makes sense for colleges to get on board because they have the capacity to reach students while the HSE could ensure that the site is updated with accurate and useful information.

“Current proposals for the site could be expanded to include instant messaging access to medical professionals such as doctors and nurses working in the university environment. It would also allow students to discuss medical issues with peers who have similar experiences.

“A health website for students exists in Scotland and has proved very successful. I believe that a dedicated student health site would be very beneficial for young people around Ireland and would be a cost-effective system for maintaining student health. I will raise this issue in the Seanad and ensure that these plans are not forgotten.

Filed under:
Dublin by Deirdre