Although traditionally reluctant to seek help, up to 40 per cent of third-level students who use student counselling services are male, according to the organisation which represents those charged with providing these services.
Relationship, academic issues and depression are the most common reasons why students seek help, according to the Irish Association of University and College Counsellors (IAUCC).
It says that in a sample survey, which covered 15 third-level colleges and 97,000 students, it was noted that 5 per cent of students seek help from student counselling services during their time in college "but there are many more who require support but are unable to access it, either through their own reluctance or because of poor resources".
The association represents student counsellors in the Republic's third-level colleges.
It will hold its annual conference in Galway this weekend. Delegates will be involved in workshops, including those examining social anxiety among students and new ways of looking at food and eating disorders.
"Students present with a range of difficulties, the most common being relationship and academic issues," according to IAUCC. "A close second is depression and anxiety and close to 6 per cent of those who present to student counselling services either express thoughts of suicide or have previously attempted suicide," it says.
It says that as the third-level student population becomes more heterogeneous, demand for counselling services is increasing, with mature students accounting for about 20 per cent of those who use them.
The conference is being held in the Galway Bay Hotel on June 7th and 8th. Speakers include Kevin McCann, Gestalt therapist and chairman of the Irish Gestalt Society, who will speak on eating disorders. The meeting is open to members only.
•Further information on the IAUCC is available on its website on www.iaucc.ie