Student Counselling Support Service
Student Counselling Support Information
Donegal ETB offers a free and confidential one-to-one counselling support service for all our students.
Donegal ETB understands that from time-to-time our students encounter personal life challenges that can severely impact them on their programme, and in some cases can lead to a student taking the difficult decision to leave. Over the years we have arranged counselling support for many students, which gave them the opportunity to explore their challenges in a safe and confidential environment and helped them to continue and complete their programme and progress successfully onto further studies or employment.
Some common issues that students seek counselling support with are: Academic stress, alcohol/drug misuse, sexual trauma, low mood and depression, anxiety, self-esteem, social anxiety, family and relationship difficulties, grief and bereavement, eating difficulties, coming out, gender identity, etc.
How can student counselling help?
Attending counselling can be helpful, to enable students to talk about any difficulties that they are encountering either personally or academically. Counselling can help students to get a new perspective on an issue they feel stuck with, help them to cope with an unexpected crisis or help them to develop healthy strategies to manage ongoing difficulties. Sometimes aspects of therapy can be challenging but over time can lead to a greater ability to cope with past, present or future issues.
How will you know if counselling support will be helpful to you?
If you think that you might be interested in talking confidentially to a counsellor, we would encourage you to contact us. We will set up an initial appointment for you with the counselling support service, which can be in-person, online or a telephone call. After this first initial consultation with a counsellor you can decide if counselling may be helpful for you, or the counsellor can explore with you what other relevant supports might be available to support you.
How can a student avail of this new student counselling support service or find out further information?
If a student needs more information or would like to book a counselling appointment, contact Eileen Patton, in the Adult Guidance and Information Service.
(Monday-Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm) on 074 9178088 or email fetcounselling@donegaletb.ie.
Crisis Support Information
Please note, that Donegal ETB’s student counselling support is not an emergency response service.
If you are in crisis, please consider the following supports:
Emergency: Dial 999 or 112.
If you are at risk of self-harm contact:
Pieta House freephone 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444.
Samaritans freephone 116 123 (Available 24 hours)
Students can also access information on self-help resources in this section and there are useful links to other departments and external agencies here.