AFTERMATH:LEAVING CERT students can find advice and support on stress management and responsible celebrations in a variety of forms this year, including via Facebook and text messaging.
“Results time can be very stressful for young people as it is a day of mixed emotions,” said Collette Ryan, project manager for HeadsUp, Rehab’s mental health promotion project. “We want students to know that help is out there if things are getting on top of them.”
HeadsUp is using social networking site Facebook in an effort to reach as many students as possible. The HeadsUp Mates Mood application allows students to share how they are feeling by using icons that depict moods, from “miserable” to “awesome”.
“The idea is that friends can check in with each other and give support during the difficult days,” Ms Ryan said.
HeadsUp is also renewing its text service providing details on a range of support services nationwide. Students text the word HEADSUP to 50424 for details on the services they need. Since its launch in 2007, more than 18,000 people have used the service.
Students who may be planning to have a drink or two tomorrow night are the focus of advice from website drinkaware.ie. The site has published a number of tips on celebrating responsibly.
“It’s important to pace yourself and have a glass of water or a soft drink between alcoholic drinks,” said Fionnuala Sheehan, chief executive of drinkaware.ie
Other advice includes:
* Eat well before you go out and snack regularly throughout the night.
* Carry an officially recognised form of ID, preferably a Garda Age Card, although a passport will usually do.
* Arrange your transport home before you go out.
* Avoid rounds. They make it too easy to end up drinking at a pace that does not suit you.
* If your friends do not want to drink, that is their decision. Respect it and move on.
* Spiking is not an urban myth. Keep a close eye on your drink and never accept one from a stranger.
* Avoid drunken arguments. Just walk away – it is not worth it.
* Watch out for your friends. Do not let anyone wander off alone.
* Never, ever accept a lift from someone you suspect of having had even one drink, and try to talk him or her out of getting behind the wheel.
* Two survival guides – one for the Leaving Cert and beyond, the other a holiday survival guide – are available to download from the drinkaware.ie website.
Inevitably, some students will be drowning their sorrows tomorrow evening. It is particularly important for this group to remember that they still have options, according to Ms Ryan.
“If students don’t get the points for their first choice, there are other ways to get into their chosen career.”
A list of helpline numbers is available on headsup.ie. Its main phone number is: 01-205 7200.